"He quickly called his armor-bearer and said to him, 'Draw your sword and kill me, or they'll say about me, "A woman killed him."' So his armor-bearer thrust him through, and he died."
Judges 9:54
Abimelech, the son of Gideon's slave, has killed his brothers and become the first king over Israel. He doesn't last very long. In the end, a woman on a rooftop drops a millstone on his head, fracturing his skull. He's so ashamed of it, he has to ask his bodyguard to do him in before he dies from the head-trauma.
What a shameful way to die - gutted by his own man because he's too ashamed of being taken down by a peasant woman who was simply protecting herself and her neighbors from her own king... With this first example of kingship in Israel, I'm amazed that any Israelite ever wanted a king afterward.
If you're interested in a little political parable, take a look at verses 7-15. They pretty much describe the whole problem with our world's political structure - the people who would do a good job are busy bearing their own fruit and bettering the world in their own way, so we're left being ruled by the brambles...
Question of the Day:
Thankfully, we live in a society in which we get to overthrow our government on a fairly regular basis without having to kill anyone. What part can you play in reforming our government and ensuring that the brambles are not allowed to rule over us?
Prayer of the Day:
Lord, as I have prayed many times lately, raise up Godly men who will hold their oaths seriously, and guide them into leadership roles locally, statewide, nationally, and globally. Don't let me miss my own Calling to leadership, whether it be a change from my current career or simply moving forward in the one You've already Called me to. Move the hearts of Your people to wisdom and understanding where our political choices are concerned, and help us vote with conviction. Help us to make an impact on every level from the smallest families and communities to the global scale. Amen.
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