Seems like there are more of em than ever before! What are we to think about the ruthless leaders in our world that “do whatever they feel” just to gain a position of power?
Kind of reminds me of a passage…
“Now Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s relatives and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother’s family, ‘Say in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal rule over you, or that one rule over you?’ Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.’” (Judges 9:1–2 esv. See the context in the Bible).
In this sin-cursed, fallen-world.. God (with His wise reasons) has allowed them with their evil deeds to succeed for a time. Sometimes it’s a type of judgment for the wayward people under their rule.
Aren’t the leaders and their style of rulership a microcosm-photo of the people underneath them? Could that be happening here in the USA? Me thinks it’s high-time for Americans to turn and get back to the God of the Bible.
Abimelech was a very cruel son of Gideon. He became the King of Israel. He was a son of Gideon’s concubine from Shechem. He was selfishly ambitious and sought to rule over Shechem by killing all other sons of Gideon, who were all slain except for Gideon’s youngest son, Jotham (who lived).
Abimelech, a cunning self-promoter (aka self-exalter), pulled of his deeds and seemed to get away with his wickedness for a while, but God saw it all.
He cleverly became the King of Shechem, ruling for three years before a conspiracy arose against him. He commanded by force, he murdered his opposition, and he led people in such a manner that even his subjects then sought to overthrow him. A civil war broke out, leading to a battle at a town called Thebez where Abimelech surrounded the leaders of the city in a tower and he approached with the intention of burning it down.
However, a woman in the tower heroically dropped a large rock on Abimelech’s head and cracked his skull. As he was dying he was embarrassed this came from a woman so nearing his death, he called out to a comrade to come stab him (being killed by a woman was considered disgraceful in that time). This was an appropriate end for Abimelech’s malevolent self-exaltation. He was a very evil man. The evil he had committed against his own brothers and people was horrific. In contrast to the positive leadership of his father, Abimelech focused on his own personal gain at others expense, hurting and destroying many other people in the process.
Judges chapter 9 concludes, “Thus God repaid Abimelech for the evil he had done to his father by slaying his 70 brothers.”
What does this mean to us? Abimelech schmoozed the people, and then they enabled him in his sin. Look at history at how the evil leaders get themselves enabled.
The leaders of Shechem saw Abimelech as one of their own guys. This son of Gideon’s concubine was, yes, a hometown boy of sorts. When Abimelech’s mother and extended family began campaigning for him to be made the top dog, the king, instead of being under the continued authority of Gideon’s other seventy sons, Shechem’s leaders did not at all mind that idea (See Judges 9:1–2).
Remember how Gideon famously refused to be named the official top ruler over all of Israel (Judges 8:22–23). Instead, Gideon insisted that the Lord would be the one to rule over His people directly. No one loves God’s people like God does. Still, the details recorded in these passages say that Gideon had served as a type of ruler in practice. In this case, it would seem true that all of Gideon’s sons — all seventy of them — held authority in practice over the land and the people of Shechem. It’s not surprising that Shechem’s leaders preferred answering to only one of Gideon’s sons instead of all of them.
People often say that multiple heads of one living organism, one creature, or one body is actually a freak or monster.
Who was Abimelech in the Bible?
Why is Gideon referred to as Jerubbaal?
What’s Up With The Bible Story of Abimelech?
Israel had Some kings - Not all Were Good.
What is the significance of Mount Gerizim in the Bible?
Who even was Gideon in the Bible?
What is the gospel of the kingdom?
Why Did Abimelech Choose To Become A Self-Promoting Usurper?
In Ezekiel 28i is that king of Tyre prophecy referring to Satan?
“Because of the present crisis, I think it is good for a man to remain as he is. 27Are you committed to a wife? Do not seek to be released. Are you free of commitment? Do not look for a wife. 28But if you do marry, you have not sinned.” 1 Corinthians 7:26–27
Got some Bible verses about seeking?
What are some Bible verses about selfish-ambition and good ambition?
Do you have an empty void inside of your heart that is just craving to be filled? Are you a so called Christian, but have a real need or feel you simply must have more?
Christ can provide all you need — He is enough.
Do you feel that the praise and applause of people will really satisfy you?
Must you have a bigger home, or a faster car or jet.. more money and stuff right now? Really?
No high position on this planet, or earthly thing, or location on the third rock from the Sun is worth striving and conniving for. None of it is worth un-righteously trashin’ friendships over just to attain for self.
Even If you Hide Your Strange Acquisition Well, The Things Of This Earth Are Never Quite Enough — Here’s The Why Of That.
“Where there is rebellion in a land, there are many petty and contending rulers; but where there is a wise and intelligent leader, peace and order endure.” Proverbs 28:2
“There have been times when I think we do not desire heaven but more often I find myself wondering whether, in our heart of hearts, we have ever desired anything else.” Lewis described this desire as the ‘inconsolable longing.’” ~ C.S. Lewis
Mr. Lewis nailed it. He described this inner desire as the “inconsolable longing” inside.
You and I could think of it as a sort of homing instinct. You know many animals have that ability to fly or travel on foot great distances in their migrations. Yes, because God has like placed a built-in GPS in them. Have you heard and seen stories in the news about birds or cats who went missing for a long time, only to return home years later.
Paul writing to believers in the city of Colossae said, “Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth” Colossians 3:1–2 nlt
The Apostle was explaining that every Christian should be seeking. Every human needs to be zealously engaged in a diligent, single-minded investigation of Heaven we see in the Bible. In the original language, Paul used the present tense, which we could translate, “Keep seeking Heaven” ..and the Father has only one way in for you and me.
One of these days, those of us who have put our faith in Jesus Christ will go home to God the Father as well.
A favorite word here — MORE. You’ve heard it from your children perhaps. We always want more out of this life. We want the newest and much better. You know, the latest, the most equipped, the freshest, the simplest to handle, and the coolest of the cool. We want the ultimate of the ultimate! Guess what, God the Creator has wired each of us that way, because the Bible says that He has placed eternity in our hearts (see Ecclesiastes 3:11).
When you turn (repent), trust (and put your faith in) the Person of Jesus Christ you have Him and a new forever home that really feels like home.
“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior” ~ Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:20 nlt.
In his final letter, Paul declared, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me — the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing” 2 Timothy 4:7–8 nlt.
A higher position of delegated authority here might not be God’s plan for you, or it might be and you need to follow the living Word of God in how you transit in. Jesus is enough, His will for you is good. It’s never God’s will for any of us to hurt, wedge out, or step on believers or unbelievers just to gain a spot. Did Christ do that? Nope. Gain God’s will and place for you God’s way.. and in His time.
We each have a rest to enjoy, as well as service to render. We each have a race to run, a race to finish right. We don’t know how long the race will go, but we can personally know the way home.
