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WHEN CORRUPTION RULES, NATIONS DECLINE (I)
LORD’S DAY, JANUARY 29
Judges 9:1-6

Exodus 18:19-26

 

“…provide out of all the people

able men, such as fear God…”

 

WHEN CORRUPTION RULES, NATIONS DECLINE (I)
 
The rise and fall of Abimelech is an outstanding chapter in the book of Judges. It highlights the corruption of man, and its fruit on society. This account gives us God’s verdict and testimony on the nature of man, and the effect that nature has when unbridled and in position of influence and power.
 
“Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh” (Judg 9:2). Abimelech cunningly rose to usurp power and take up rulership in place of Gideon his father. From the methods he used and actions he took to secure power, it is clear that he was driven by personal and ungodly ambition. What father Gideon had declined (when Gideon was alive), son Abimelech pursued (after Gideon died). Abimelech appealed to fleshly relations, taking advantage of the influence and reputation of his father Gideon and appealing to his mother’s roots in Shechem. His claim that all the sons of Gideon would reign over them (Judg 9:2) was one that was unsubstantiated and probably untrue. In addition to that, Gideon had refused dominion both for him and for his sons. Abimelech excited envy among the men of Shechem and rallied them around him by malice.
 
“And all the men of Shechem gathered together…and made Abimelech king…” (Judg 9:6). We can discern three things from those who seek and vie for leadership positions. These things should, in our eyes, disqualify the person and deem him unfit for leadership as they are signs of selfish and ungodly ambition. They are, first, peddling falsehood and half-truths and promoting divisive identities like what Abimelech did in Judges 9:2-3. Second, bribery and promoting a false narrative of popularity by surrounding oneself with hired persons, like what Abimelech did in Judges 9:4. Third, destroying others to promote their own cause. True leadership and success is not built on the demise and destruction of others. Abimelech eliminated seventy of his brothers as he saw them as competition and obstacles on his path to leadership.
 
THOUGHT: When seeking leadership, look for it in character; seek for it in the best, not worst, of men.
PRAYER: Teach me, Father, to distinguish the true from the false, and good from evil.

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