Judges 9:22-10:18
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Alright, I don't know about you, but I'm seeing quite a bit of pride flowing around in Judges recently - particularly in today's readings. And we all know the old saying, "Pride goeth before the fall." And indeed we are seeing people fall after their prideful fits. In fact, Satan himself was guilty of the sin of Pride. He wanted to be equal with God. He thought he was all that and a bag-o-chips. But he ain't. Never will be. So, maybe the saying in regards to Satan certainly is "Pride goeth before the Fall." And that's Fall with a capital "F" unfortunately.
We saw Abimelech's deadly pride in yesterday's readings when he had killed 70 of Gideon's sons - his half brothers - so that he could rule the people of Schechem. Pride & Power. Deadly combination then - and still is today. We then read Jotham's parable in yesterday's readings and see that his words came true in today's readings. I am amazed at the depth of Abimelech's sin of pride even in his dying moment when we read in chapter 9 verses 52 through 54 today: "Abimelech followed them to attack the tower. But as he prepared to set fire to the entrance, a woman on the roof threw down a millstone that landed on Abimelech's head and crushed his skull. He said to his young armor bearer, "Draw your sword and kill me! Don't let it be said that a woman killed Abimelech!"" Wow... Now - don't get me wrong. I think for me to say that Abimelech was completely prideful and that I am not is the same sin - pride. It would be prideful for me to put myself above Abimelech. He's not a lot different than we are today. I think pride is something we all probably struggle with at some level or at some point in our lives. I know I do. We are all sinners. And as I read about Abimelech in Judges today - or reflect upon Satan's Fall - I realize that pride is a sin that we really must vigilantly watch our entire lives. If we don't, I think we can get blinded to the fact that we're prideful - and we'll say dumb things like "don't let it be said that a woman killed (fill in your name as if you were to say this about yourself in the 3rd person, cuz that's how you refer to yourself when you are prideful)!" :) Pride kills... let us pray for humility in our lives today. God can redeem and heal us from our pride!
Even poor Gaal - who I think was trying to do the right thing fell prey to pride as we see in verse 29 today - "If I were in charge, I would get rid of Abimelech. I would say to him, `Get some more soldiers, and come out and fight!'"" Unfortunately, Gaal got his wish and it did not turn out well for him. Pride goeth before the fall... An image is below for verses 37 & 38 - "But again Gaal said, "No, people are coming down from the hills. And another group is coming down the road past the Diviners' Oak." Then Zebul turned on him triumphantly. "Now where is that big mouth of yours?" he demanded. "Wasn't it you that said, `Who is Abimelech, and why should we be his servants?' The men you mocked are right outside the city! Go out and fight them!"
Worship Video: Today’s readings reminds me of Darlene Zschech's song "Shout to the Lord:"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tk5yLJbQCbI
Have you shouted to the Lord? Click here and shout!
Comments from You & Questions of the Day: Based on my comments above related to our readings in Judges, have you ever struggled with pride? Do you think pride might be an ongoing struggle for most of us (all of us?) for most of (all of?) our lives? Also, what verses or insights stand out to you in today's readings? Please post up by clicking on the "Comments" link below!
God bless,
Mike
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