Gideon, having killed the Midianite leaders, was asking to become a leader, to which he declined, saying God was their ruler. He did, however, ask for a small amount of gold from each person. He took this gold and fashioned what ultimately became an idol. After Gideon’s death, we are told he had many concubines and children, 70 sons total. One of them, Abimelek, spoke with those in Shechem and Beth Millo and became their king, despite the wishes of Gideon that none should rule but God. Upon their agreement, Abimelek kills all of his brothers except one who escapes, Jotham. Jotham wishes over the people that they either be happy or be consumed by their choices and then flees to Beer for fear of Abimelek.
After three years, Abimelek’s authority is challenged in a public place by a man passing through town. Word makes it to Abimelek and they plot an attack. One of the leaders stands near the visitor and tells him he’s seeing things when he claims to see the attack coming, until it’s too late. Abimelek then goes on a killing spree throughout the towns he rules, murdering thousands. Eventually, a woman drops a mill stone on his head and he has a guard stab him, lest he die at the hand of a woman. The curse which Jotham had placed over he and the people was fulfilled.
What does this mean today?
There are a few lessons to take here. Firstly, the one from Gideon: there is no ruler but God. Anyone else will only fail you as a leader and lead to death.
Prov 14:12 There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death.
Secondly, we can learn from the mistakes of the visitor, Gaal son of Ebed, and learn to trust what we see before us, blocking out the world. Had he ignored his adversary (Satan, in Hebrew), he could have saved himself. We, too, must learn to tune out all the worlds musings but listen only to God’s voice. Like a conversation in a crowded room, we must remain dialed in and ignore all distraction.
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