The Trees to the Brambles - Judges 9:14

In the book of Judges we learned how Jotham told the men of Shechem, “Hearken unto me, you men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign you over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree, Come you, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said the trees unto the vine, Come you, and reign over us..And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheers God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?” and in chapter nine and verse fourteen of Judges, we learn how Jotham shared, “then said all the trees unto the bramble” where we read,

Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come you, and reign over us.

The verse reads, “Then said all the trees unto the bramble, …” The writer began with the words, “then said all the trees” which means “at that time uttered, declared and proclaimed the timbers, stocks, planks and wood” “unto the bramble” which means “to the buckthorn”. The writer shared how the “trees” next turned to the “bramble bushes” or “thorn bush”. 

The verse continues, “… Come you, and reign over us.” The writer added the words “come you” which means “proceed and move you, bramble”, “and reign over us” which means “and have rule and have authority higher and above us, the trees. The writer shared how “Jotham” said the “trees” next invited the “bramble” to proceed and have rule and authority above them

When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we see how the standards for leadership and rule have lowered to the point that the “trees” wanted the “bramble” or thorn bush to have dominion over them. It is amazing how the “trees” have lowered the level of quality they desired to reign over them. This may be familiar to us because people constantly turn to authorities that have lower morals and qualities compared to Jehovah God who gave His only Begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so we keep Him and Him alone as our Ruler and never lower the standards to anything or anyone else. (See Psalm 86:10)

Next time we learn how Jotham shares how the bramble says, “come and put your trust in my shadow”, so read ahead …, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".