THE OLIVE, THE FIG, THE VINE, THE BRAMBLE
Today’s Reading: Judges 9
Click scripture link to read online or HERE to listen online (then click the symbol of the audio speaker above the scripture portion).
Mount Gerizim is one of the two mountains in the immediate vicinity of the West Bank city of Nablus (near the ancient city of Shechem), and forms the southern side of the valley in which Nablus is situated, the northern side being formed by Mount Ebal. Gerizim is sacred to the Samaritans who regard it, rather than Jerusalem’s Temple Mount, as having been the location chosen by Yahweh for a holy temple. The mountain continues to be the centre of Samaritan religion to this day, and over 90% of the worldwide population of Samaritans live in very close proximity to Gerizim, mostly in Kiryat Luza, the main village.
GOOGLE MAPS – To see where the photo was taken, click HERE.
Key Verse: Judges 9:21
And Jotham ran away and fled; and he went to Beer and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
Jotham’s parable shows wisdom. He may have been able to become a judge of Israel, replacing his father Gideon, but he chose to run away because of fear. His power-hungry brother had no such fear. Abimelech became the first Israelite to claim the title “King.” How sad that the people chose the bramble to rule over them. Jotham’s prophecy came to pass in the fires, the millstone, and the sword of the armour-bearer. We should encourage the best leaders, people of integrity and wisdom, to step up for leadership in the church, the government, and in every field of human endeavour.
The Gospel says of Jesus in John 4, “He needed to go through Samaria” (read John 4:1-42). The woman at Jacob’s Well pointed to Gerizim and said, “Our fathers worshipped on this mountain.” The Samaritan religion still flourishes. An annual sacrifice is led by their high priest on the top of Gerizim. Jesus did not run away from His destiny like Jotham. He stepped up to the Cross. He is our fearless Judge, Prophet, Priest, and King.
PRAYER FOR TODAY:
Lord Jesus, You are my King! Your rulership is one of complete authority. I yield to You! Please grant me constant willingness to follow Your leadership in all things. In Your Name I pray, Amen!
100 PERSONAL WORDS:
I shared a taxi some years ago with the Samaritan High Priest as I travelled from Amman, Jordan, to Jerusalem. He was dressed in an impressive robe and turban. His religion seemed to be a mixture of modern Judaism and an ancient form of Israelite worship. It seemed to be a very general approach to God, with a great deal of superstition. He was well aware of the story of Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well at the foot of Mount Gerizim. This Samaritan High Priest, who lived in Jordan, was on his way to make the annual sacrifice on the top of Gerizim. How thankful I am for the final, once and for all Sacrifice of Jesus, and for the Living Water, which is not in the well at the foot of the mountain, from which I drink deeply every morning before doing this blog.
In the matter of leadership, I knew God called me to His cause. Some people around me encouraged me, but I had to step up and lead in the direction God was leading me. I am not one to run away like Jotham did. I may be 80 years old, but I still have the strong conviction that I can do much as long as I move boldly forward, and I’m confident that the task ahead is God’s will for me. Amen!
Yours for all that God purposes to accomplish through those who serve Him,
David
Thank You, Lord God, for Your plans for each of us – plans for good and not for evil. You tell us plainly and simply that You have prepared work for each of us, and You prepare us for that work. Help us today to do the work You have given us to do, and to do it well. Be glorified in Your people, Lord, and throughout this world, in Jesus’s great name, amen
Amen!!
Amen Rob
Please pray that I would do God’s work in my life.
I don’t know what it is.
God let me know your plans for my life.
Just love today’s scripture with the olive, the fig, the vine and the bramble, choosing a King. May we never run away from our calling to serve You, Lord. Jesus, You are the One and only King in our lives. We worship You and give You, all the praise and glory. Amen. Wishing all a cozy, safe and blessed day. Keep your toes warm, fellow saints in the Lord! 🦶🔥
“The love of dominion seeks to rule or to ruin. The higher principles of the human mind are satisfied to perform their own uses, in their proper way; but the lower, meaner propensities desire to rule over the others.”
Rev. Edward Craig Mitchell
Jacob’s Well with lyrics, PNG Gospel
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vBeHqJsbklY
Amen Beverlee
God show my you plans for my life.
I need prayer to Know God’s Will In My Life.
Amen, Rob and Beverlee for your prayers this morning.
Beverlee, I’ve got the wood stove all fired up. It is cold today. We have blue skies and sun now. So my toes will be warm. Beside the stove.
Thanking God for this amazing day.
Our God is good, Nan!! ❤️
Amen to the prayers and I too have my chair by the wood
I love alone and I am so thankful for the wood provided to keep my wood stove going. God is good to me and I am thankful for his many blessings. prayers for all
A comment from my Bible about Abimelech
People who desire power always outnumber those who are able to use power wisely once they have it. Perhaps this is because power has a way of taking over and controlling the person using it. Abimelech’s life shows us what happens when hunger for power corrupts judgement. We have to make a decision to be controlled by our own desires or by God’s desire for us.
I have been reading, a little each day, in remembrance of Black History Month. There are so very many names- recognized and unknown, who had the courage to hear Our Lord’s Voice and to be obedient, no matter what the cost…..
Rosa Jinsey Young; Rosa Parks; Harriet Tubman; Wallace Willis ( Swing Low, Sweet Chariot); Mary and Sarah McCant; Women of Possum Bend; Men of Lamison, Alabama; Fannie Steele; Joe Anderson, Camden; Teacher in Midway Alabama…….
These people didn’t have worldly power and prestige but they were enriched in Faith, Word and Deed and have all been instrumental in being used by GOD and shining Light i the darkness.
Giving thanks for them and for their example through adversity and evil.
Thanks for sharing this Laur!!!
I also appreciate all the others posts.
Blessings to all Eleanor M.
Appreciate all the posts today saints!
YES ME TOO!!!