Today’s Reading: Judges 9; Judges 10; Psalm 49; 1 Corinthians 16
Scripture: Judges 9:18
"…but today you have revolted against my father's family, murdered his seventy sons on a single stone, and made Abimelech, the son of his slave girl, king…"
Observation: It’s sickening! The carnage of murder and hatred and horrible violence. Abimelech is a son of Gideon (aka Jerub-Baal) who conspires with Israel’s enemies to become king. To do so, he must kill his brothers, all 70 of them! It’s a well-financed terrorist conspiracy. He murders them all on a large stone at their father’s home. Why would Gideon’s son conspire with his family’s enemies? How could he have so much hate? There is a clue in this verse and it points out a important truth. We learn here that while Gideon is Abimelech’s father, his mother is not an Israelite. She was Gideon’s “slave girl.” So Gideon had a inappropriate relationship with this slave girl which resulted in a pregnancy and Abimelech is the result.
Application: Moral compromise always bring a horrible harvest. And while the compromise may bring an immediate benefit, the future cost is hidden but will far overshadow that benefit. If Gideon had known that his little indiscretion with the cute servant girl would result in the murder of his 70 sons, I think he could have controlled his urges. But he wasn’t thinking of the aftermath. His nerve endings were in control. For us the message is obvious: Stay away from moral compromise and avoid the negative consequences. So keep on God’s path of blessing and escape the ugly fallout of lust, greed, and pride which are the earmarks of self.
Prayer: Lord, sin always allures with its forbidden pleasures. But help me to clearly see the hideous fruit of destruction that accompanies it. From the fall of Adam, temptation has always been based on lies. Help us to see the lies for what they are, to understand the damage that sin brings, and to choose obedience. May we follow You fully, and joyfully.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.
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