Judges 10:3-5
This idea of “Judges” being the form of law is almost difficult for me to grasp. This was the system of government that God desired for his people all along. He wanted to be recognized as King. This is difficult to wrap my mind around because so much my readings in the old scriptures are in regards to the kings and individuals. I guess it should be easy to get coming from a democracy with a judicial system for checks and balances. I really think this little snip it of Jair in verses 3-5 is a bit a symbol of what God intended. This is Gideon’s sons could have lead. It is near impossible to lead masses alone. This family juged many by working together. Abimelech, The one son of Gideon, was unable to see this type of leadership. He wanted position. I guess more then anything it shows the power of leadership that can release responsibility to others. God did this all over scripture and no matter how many times man has twisted it and tried to gain position inside this structure, He still sees it as the way to go. Look to the structure of the church in acts. Multiple leaders working together to train up more leaders. He did not design a structure that developed leaders that would keep those around them followers so they would not lose their job. He wanted leaders raise up leaders so they could lead the masses.
What is meat?
Man shall not live on bread alone but by the “rema” that comes from the mouth of God.
“Rema” - is the word that is spoken for a specific situation.
Logos is the entire word.
(1 john 1:14) “The Logos became flesh and dwelt among us…”
(Heb. 5:13) “For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the logos for he is an infant.”
(John 4:34) Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”
In light of all of these verses is it safe to say that the meat of the word is to DO (also translated to produce)? So many times I have made the meat of the word about going deeper and deeper into the caverns of my mind when Jesus said that his food was to do. As I have had the opportunity to watch many new pursuers of Christ in recent days, Hebrews 5:12-14 make a lot more scenes. Growing up in the church I have seen a lot of people just suck on the word there whole lives and never doing. This is the mindset that Paul was fighting in Hebrews. You need to crave the milk but move to the meat (doing, teaching, producing).
Judges 9 (wine & fig tree)
(Wine)
Wine in scripture was used a lot, for a lot of different purposes. It is interesting to see that wine was used as a drink offering on the alter but it was also not okay for priests to drink. It was Jesus first public miracle to turn water into wine. Wine was was an important part of celebration in scripture. It was also a big part of the promise land, vineyards with massive grapes. Wine was talked about in the new testament as an intoxicating thing in reference to being completely controlled by the Holy Spirit (Luke 5 and Ephesians 5).
The grape vine was a sign of the filling of the Holy Spirit. Being filled with the Holy Spirit pleases both God and causes you to serve man. Interesting, the filling of the Holy Spirit makes you controlled and intoxicated with his presence. This intern makes us servants of all.
(Fig)
A fig tree does not require cross pollination. This is interesting to note. all of the trees did not want to stop production Just to be big. The fig tree is capable of producing even when it stands alone. The fig tree in some cultures was seen as sacred and was even seen as restorative. It has been given as a sign of prosperity. One was cursed by Jesus in Mark 11 for not having any figs. Fruit trees are expected to produce. If we do not produce good fruit we will be cut off and cast into a fire.
Judges 9:8-10, Olive Oil (part 2)
The olive tree – The oil of the olive tree was used not only for cooking but also for sacrifice on the alter. It was used in the old testament for anointing kings and is also a symbol of the Holy Spirit in the new testament. This was a valued commodity. In Deuteronomy 8:8 it is listed as one of the amazing perks to the promised land (along with grape vines/wine and fig trees). In Exodus 30:25-29 and Exodus 40:9 olive oil was use to set apart. In Samuel 16:13 it was used to impart the Holy Spirit. In Isaiah 10:27 it is used to break off bondages.
The olive tree said no because it would rather be used for serving people and God then be recognized as king. It would rather be used for anointing, feeding, setting free the oppressed, sanctify (set apart), impart the Holy Spirit. To take a position based in pride… being recognized as a leader, just as a statues symbol, will cause you to quit producing fruit. Interesting thought. Fruitfulness stops when the tree begins taking credit for its own fruit. Our fruitfulness is based completely on his Spirit. The olive trees response was brilliant. Should I stop producing so I can sway above others who produce. Size is less valuable then fruit. All of these trees response was the same. I would rather be small and fruitful then large and unproductive.
Judges 9 (part 1)
I am floored by this story. Gideon had 70 sons. He had Abimelech with one of his slaves. He goes to his people, Shechem, and proposes they make him king. His statement was, “Would you rather be ruled by all 70 of Gideon’s, or one man.” They choose Abimelech and he hires an army and kill 69 of his half brothers, Gideon’s sons, on one stone. The illustration of leadership that follows is brilliant. When the younger brother that escaped the massacre heard they had made Abimelech king, he shouted a story down to them from the top of a mountain.
8 Once upon a time the trees decided to elect a king. First they said to the olive tree, ‘Be our king!’ 9 But it refused, saying, ‘Should I quit producing the olive oil that blesses both God and people, just to wave back and forth over the trees?’ 10 ”Then they said to the fig tree, ‘You be our king!’ 11 But the fig tree also refused, saying, ‘Should I quit producing my sweet fruit just to wave back and forth over the trees?’ 12 ”Then they said to the grapevine, ‘You be our king!’ 13 But the grapevine replied, ‘Should I quit producing the wine that cheers both God and people, just to wave back and forth over the trees?’ 14 ”Then all the trees finally turned to the thornbush and said, ‘Come, you be our king!’ 15 And the thornbush replied, ‘If you truly want to make me your king, come and take shelter in my shade. If not, let fire come out from me and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’
The response of the productive trees is interesting. They asked why they would give up being productive just so they could wave above the other trees. More to come…
Judges 8:4-17
How much harder is it to help when you don’t know If it will pay off? It is a lot easier to jump on the ban wagon when the final battle has been won. Even though Gideon’s army had taken out a substantial part of their enemies armies, they were still out numbered 50 to 1. On top of the odds being outrageous, they were exhausted. It was not like they were fresh like at the beginning of the battle. They were pursuing and fighting and were tired. I can understand the people at Succoth playing the odds. The thing they forgot to calculate into the equation was the God factor. Being apart of the ground breaking of anything can be overwhelming. It is hard enough being oppressed by the people that you don’t expect help from anyways. It is worse when someone you think should help you doesn’t. I want to know when God is behind something and play my part before the victory is when. I want to be a piece of the victory. I don’t want to be the one to jump in and help when help isn’t needed anymore.
