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
No denomination is the perfect one.Denominations were ‘created’ by well meaning men with egos.David knew this too and picked good Christians to work ‘with’,regardless of denomination or standing.We must simply make ourselves ‘available’ to Him to willingly do His will (and not what we would like to do.I know some who will do His will IF it is what they want to do.)Davis and this blog were and are a great blessing to anyone who will choose it.Thank you to the Mainse family and may God bless
Let Me
Let me please You,oh Lord,
Let me leave a kiss upon Your hand,
That You may wield a mighty sword
To cleanse the evil from this land.
Let me serve You too my God,
Let me sacrifice my life for You,
So that You can point Your holy rod
To show what a sinner will do.
I am nothing to call a treasure,
But my life I freely now will give,
That You might at Your leisure
Return to show us how to live.
G W (Bill) Marshall / 19 July, 2013
Thank you for your thoughts and poem William.
Just read your thankful praises, Marilyn.. so glad that your knee ( body) is healing and strengthening, day by day.
Prayers for God-ordained Wisdom for Country Leaders.
Prayers for people, that we may continually come to His well and be filled to overflowing, with our Lord’s Living Water. May God’s Spirit lead and guide us all in Truth and Love; in His Will and Way.
A great poem William. Thinking of the mayor of Toronto who stepped down from his position (of his own choosing). May God comfort him and his wife at this time. May God draw him close to Himself and protect him and his family. Blessings all.
See clip
https://youtu.be/LD_BwP9QMXQ
Also thinking of this high school student who expressed, in school, that there are only 2 genders.
What has happened to “the science” as frequently spoken about throughout Covid?
What has happened to freedom of speech?
Will this Blog site be shut-down re any further discussion of either questions?
Lord have Mercy!
Yes. Here’s an article about this. Thank God for courageous people standing up against the non-sense of our culture.
Father, bless this young man and all those who refuse to give in to the dictated conformity of our world. Pour out Your Spirit, Lord, on all flesh and draw us to do what is right in Your sight, in Jesus’s great name, amen
Catholic Student Arrested as Gender Belief Controversy Escalates at Ontario School https://link.theepochtimes.com/mkt_app/ontario-catholic-student-arrested-as-gender-belief-controversy-escalates_5040575.html?utm_source=andshare
I stand with the prayers above. Our world is certainly in need of biblical leadership.
Doreen, thanks for your prayers for the Tory family. I don’t understand how news reporters feel that is news that has to be repeated…… So many of the news channels have turned into gossip sessions
I pray the Tory’s will get through this time and come out stronger for it. May God bless and keep them.