Unholy Leaders

When they told Jotham (Gideon's youngest son), he climbed to the top of Mount Gerizim, raised his voice, and called to them:

Listen to me, lords of Sechem, and may God listen to you:

The trees set out to anoint a king over themselves.

They said to the olive tree,

"Reign over us."

But the olive tree said to them,

"Should I stop giving my oil

That honours bothe God and man,

And rule over the trees?"

Then the trees said to the fig tree,

"Come reign over us."

But the fig tree said to them,

"Should I stop giving my sweetness and my good fruit,

And rule over trees?

Later, the trees said to the grapevine,

"Come and reign over us."

But the grapevine said to them,

" Should I stop giving my wine

That cheers both God and man,

And rule over trees?"

Finally, all the trees said to the bramble,

"Come and reign over us."

The brambles said to the trees,

"If you really are anointing me

As king over you,

Come and find refuge in my shade.

But if not,

May fire come out from the bramble and consume the cedars of Lebanon."

Now if you have acted faithfully and honestly in making Abimelech king, if you have done well by Jerubbal and his family, and if you have rewarded him appropriately for what he did-

For my father fought for you, risked his life, and delivered you from the hand of Midian, and now you have attacked my father's house today, killed his 70 sons on top of a large stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his slave, king over the lords of Sechem because he is your brother- if then you have acted faithfully and honestly with Jerubbal and his house this day, rejoice in Abimelech and may he also rejoice in you. But if not, may fire come from Abimilech and consume the lords of Sechem. And Beth-milko, and may fire come from the lords of Sechem and Beth-millo and consume Abimelech. Judges 9:7-21

The unholy alliance between Abimelech and the lords of Sechem lasted three years then fire did indeed consume them all. A huge slaughter of men, women and children ensued.

As I look at the happenings in the world today, the mass slaughter, I wonder what unholy alliances have been formed.

Righteousness leaders are a blessing to a nation but unrighteousness makes it Ill. We are encouraged to pray for our leaders so that all may be well with us. As I pray for my country I pray for my government that they will walk in righteousness. Sitting and complaining about my government is foolishness, when I have the ability to see godliness by prayer, this is much better than allowing just anything to come to pass.

We have had our share of brambles and it is our lot to pray. Righteousness exalts a nation. Amen!