Judges 9 - Praying God's Word

Please read Judges 9.

www.blueletterbible.org/nasb/jdg/9/1/s_220001

Meditate on verses 8-9.

Once the trees went forth to anoint a king over them,

 and they said to the olive tree, “Reign over us!” 

But the olive tree said to them, “Shall I leave my fatness with which God

and men are honored, and go to wave over the trees?”

The LORD likes to teach with parables. Jotham told one of the first ones in this chapter (vs. 8-15).

After the massacre of Gideon’s 70 sons, Jotham, a survivor, told this parable to the men of Shechem when they made Abimelech, the assassin, their king. In the story, the trees asked an olive tree, a fig tree, and a vine to rule over them. The olive, fig, and vine declined because they were fulfilling their purpose and had no desire to wave (rule) over the other trees. The trees resorted to asking the worthless bramble to be their ruler. He gladly accepted and invited the trees to sit in his shade. Of course brambles do not produce shade, only piercing, painful thorns.

God was to be Israel’s only king, but in their sinful delusion, the people wanted a human king, even a worthless one like thorny, evil Abimelech.

As a Christian, Jesus is to be your King. Are there areas of your life being ruled by worthless brambles? Remove the brambles, like the woman removed Abimelech (v. 53), then stay focused on God’s purpose for you.

Use the words from Judges 9:9, 11, and 13 to pray over yourself and those for whom you stand guard as a faithful, prayerful watchman (Isaiah 62:6-7).

“LORD, make _______ and me like an olive tree which brings honor to You and men.

Make us like a fig tree producing sweet and good fruit.

Make us like a vine which cheers You and men.

For Your glory, King Jesus~”

The Watchman on the Wall 2 – Dr. Ron and Marsha Harvell