Barring a major event, Hillary Clinton or Donald Trump will move into the White House in January 2017. Much has been said about either Candidate's qualifications or more to the point the lack thereof to be President of this great nation. Yes, despite America's many woes, it's still a great nation. However, the caveat is soon I fear, America will be a great nation no more. Perhaps God's judgement is soon to come.
In Judges chapter nine, an interesting account plays out. Abimelech, the son of Jerubbaal A.K.A. Gideon (Judges 6:32; 9:1) and a concubine from the city of Shechem- a city with a rather dubious history, murdered with the help of certain "vain and light" men of this city, all of his brothers save one (9:1-5). After the deed was done, Abimelech was crowned king of Shechem (9:6). Perhaps given to Abimelech's lowly position in the family dynamic as the son of a concubine, felt he was entitled. As one reads in the previous chapter, Gideon had many wives that bore him seventy sons (8:30). But, in the next verse, Abimelech's name is listed separately stating his mother was a concubine. It's an interesting distinction. His reign however, went down hill from there and culminated with the burning of Shechem and the death of Abimelech killed by his armourbearer after being grievously wounded by a mill stone dropped on him from a tower (9:22-49).
So you may be wondering, what does this tale of woe have to do with Clinton and Trump? Well, remember the only survivor of Gideon's seventy sons? His name was Jotham. After Abimelech's wicked act, Jotham stood on mount Gerizim and shouted to the men of Shechem this parable:
"The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, 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 thou, and reign over us. And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon." (9:7-15)
The bramble bush, a thorny bush bares no fruit and provides on shade. Its only purpose is to be gathered and used as kindling to start a fire. As you might have guessed, Jotham was equating the bramble bush as Abimelech and by my implication, Clinton and Trump. Despite other candidates that clearly were better qualified, America has chosen to scrape the bottom of the proverbial barrel. It is irony that main use of the bramble bush and the burning of Shechem is apparent in Judges chapter nine. God brought judgement upon Abimelech and Shechem.
Interesting times are ahead my friends. Interesting times indeed.
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