30th Day of Lent

Tuesday, April 8, 2025

Judges 9:7-15, NRSV

When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and cried aloud and said to them, ‘Listen to me, you lords of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.

The trees once went out to anoint a king over themselves. So they said to the olive tree, “Reign over us.” The olive tree answered them, “Shall I stop producing my rich oil by which gods and mortals are honored, and go to sway over the trees?” Then the trees said to the fig tree, “You come and reign over us.” But the fig tree answered them, “Shall I stop producing my sweetness and my delicious fruit, and go to sway over the trees?” Then the trees said to the vine, “You come and reign over us.” But the vine said to them, “Shall I stop producing my wine that cheers gods and mortals, and go to sway over the trees?” So all the trees said to the bramble, “You come and reign over us.” And the bramble said to the trees, “If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.”

Reflection - Pastor Laurie Pfahler, Royersford United Methodist Church

Gideon did not want to be king even though he ran Shechem much like a king would. He believed their only king was the Lord. After Gideon’s death, his son, Abimelech wanted to be king, but was not a leader, and far from worthy or able. He gathered ruffians and killed all his father’s sons except one that hid: Jotham, and from a mount Jotham cries the words of today’s scripture as a parable to Israel. God equipped the judges well for leadership (their representations as fruitful trees) but they refused to step up to be king. Jotham describes Abimelech as a fruitless, destructive bramble of choking thorns, who will be nice to those who will support him and threaten those who do not. Out of ignorance and/or fear, Abimelech was “elected” king. But Jotham reminded them of the good Gideon did; and by approving Abimelech as king, they may as well have risen against Gideon and killed his family right alongside Abimelech (vs. 16-21).

With all the good we have from God, we have to think carefully about our choices. When we make choices, what will the consequences, good and bad, be? Who stands to benefit? Who stands to suffer? Are we loving God and each other with these choices? When choosing leadership, are we picking people like Abimelech or someone who clearly strives to be like Jesus? Are we faithful to God, or crucifying Jesus all over again?

Prayer: Almighty King, open our eyes, Lord. Help us to see we are capable to be fruitful here on earth; and seeing your truth, may we faithfully and fearlessly stand up to evil in whatever form it takes in the holy name of your love. Amen.