Village Schools of the Bible

RASCALS USED BY GOD
A Devotional Study of Judges
by Max Frazier, Jr.

DESTRUCTION CAUSED BY PRIDE
Judges 9:1-57

I want to welcome you to another exciting Bible study. We are continuing our study in the book of Judges. What a fascinating book, if you are interested in unusual people whom God has chosen to use. Makes a person optimistic that he or she can be used by God.

In this ninth chapter of Judges, we are introduced to the person of Abimelech. He was the son of Gideon. His name, in Hebrew, means "my father is king." Now, we know from the closing verses of Judges 8, that Gideon ruled over Israel for forty years. But nowhere do we read that he took upon himself the title of king. Perhaps, Abimelech just thought of his father as being king. And so, after the death of his father, Gideon, he proclaims himself as king.

Now, as one reads this ninth chapter of Judges, two deadly sins leap off the pages and into our minds. Those are the twin sins of jealousy and pride. Abimelech was jealous of his brothers, and the citizens of Shechem had pride in one of their own. Those two factors, when combined, became lethal. Both Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem needed to learn to guard their hearts against the wiles of Satan.

Friends, we must not give our enemy an advantage by harboring evil desires and attitudes within our hearts. It is good to be zealous for a cause, but not if it is a deterrent to our testimony for Christ. We are to be ambitious, but we are not to let our ambitions become the gods in our lives. I am reminded of the disciples who argued among themselves as to who would be the greatest in Christ's kingdom. Each wanted to be the most important. Christ told them that they were to focus upon His desires and not upon their own. What great advice for each of us.

And how we must guard against pride. The writer of Proverbs was correct when he stated that pride goes before a fall. And, in Proverbs 6:16-19, the very first of the sins which God finds as an abomination is that of a haughty spirit, or jealousy. Miriam and Aaron became jealous of Moses and their own personal pride during those long years in the wilderness. Finally, this jealousy and pride led them to complain to Moses and to God. They felt that they were just as good as Moses, so why didn't God speak to them more often. God brought judgment in the form of leprosy which plagued Miriam for seven days.

Because of jealousy and pride, a lot of sorrow and bloodshed occurred in Israel. A lot of families were destroyed. Even Abimelech suffered a cruel death. Oh the eternal wages of death which these two sins pay.

Lord, This has been a difficult chapter to read. It is so hard to understand why this young man, Abimelech, acted as he did. But, Satan was successful in destroying his life and many others because of jealousy and pride. Father, please guard my heart and the hearts of those who join me in this study so that Satan might not be given the opportunity of dragging us down. We claim the victory which is ours through Christ. For it is in His name we pray. Amen.

Judges 8 Return to the Table of Contents Judges 10