The agreement between Abimelech and Shechem lasted about three years. This period is quite short compared to the much longer tenures of the judges.
God was behind the breakdown of the relationship between the king and the people of Shechem. This is attributed to an evil spirit, unlike the divine Spirit in Judges that empowers saviors to rescue God’s people from judgment.
And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech (Judges 9:23).
When we think about human history, it’s important to know there’s another layer to it. God is working out his plans through human events to reach his goals. In this instance, God sends a spirit that divides the people of Shechem from Abimelech.
The seeds of the destruction of any autocratic regime or dictatorship are planted through a rebellion by the people. In this case, a rebel named Gaal believed he could rule better than Abimelech.
And Gaal the son of Ebed said, “Who is Abimelech, and who are we of Shechem, that we should serve him? Is he not the son of Jerubbaal, and is not Zebul his officer? Serve the men of Hamor the father of Shechem; but why should we serve him?
“Would that this people were under my hand! Then I would remove Abimelech. I would say to Abimelech, ‘Increase your army, and come out'” (Judges 9:28-29).
The story of political revolt is as ancient as the oldest stories in the Bible. Sometimes, God sends a revolt to achieve His purposes.
Remember, the people of Shechem chose Abimelech in an unholy manner. They gave him enough silver to eliminate his entire family so he could rule them. They learned that the thorn bush they embraced would eventually catch fire and burn them.
This process is unfolding with God’s invisible hand guiding it to carry out His justice and purposes in the world.
As we observe political events around the world and in America, it’s important to remember that God’s hand is involved. The people of Shechem might not have thought about this, but we should.
By no means do I have all the answers, but I believe we have a role in praying for God’s will.
When we don’t understand His will, the best way to pray is to take the Lord’s Prayer, present the world’s problems to God, and say, God, this is your prayer. We ask you to use it to accomplish your will.
The End of the Story
The story of the revolt led by Gaal against Abimelech is as old as the last drama you saw on television. Gaal was tricked into an ambush and killed.
Abimelech turned his wrath on the citizens of Shechem, destroying the city and burning alive the elite members of society who escaped to the Tower of Shechem. The early words of Jotham were fulfilled.
God was not finished with the corrupt and violent rule of Abimelech. He attacked the city of Thebez and attempted to conquer a tower stronghold in the town. In a twist of circumstances, a certain woman threw an upper millstone upon Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull (Judges 9:53).
The king commanded his armor-bearer to kill him with a sword, so people couldn’t claim that a woman had killed him (verse 54).
The author of Judges explains why God arranged for the son of Gideon, Abimelech, to meet his end in such dishonorable fashion.
Thus God returned the evil of Abimelech, which he committed against his father in killing his seventy brothers.
And God also made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their heads, and upon them came the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal (Judges 9:56-57).
When Cain killed his brother, Abel, The Lord said, “What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10).
When innocent blood is shed, it cries out to God for justice. Imagine the blood that is shed through war and murder every year. It continues to cry out to God for justice.
R.G. Lee’s famous sermon, “Payday Someday,” is appropriate when we think of the amount of innocent blood that has been shed. Humans may feel that there will be no accountability before God for these actions.
God has another plan. There will be a payday for our evil, even if it is reserved for the someday of his timing.
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discussed this passage on YouTube today.
Real Voices 