By Jim Mann
Once upon a time, a long time ago, in a faraway land, there were four trees. These trees were looking for a king. And so they brought forth the most likely candidates. They first asked the Olive tree if he would be king…but he didn’t want to give up his oil to become king. So they asked the fig tree…but he didn’t want to give up his figs to become a “public servant”. So they asked the vine…but he didn’t want to give his wine.
Finally, with no more trees left to ask, they asked the thornbush. The thornbush was very excited about the proposal and gladly offered the other trees shade under his brambles.
This was a parable told by a young man named Jotham to the citizens of the village of Shechem a long time ago and a world away (see Judges 9:8-15). It was there that a man named Abimilech had used treachery and deceit to gain the crown: He murdered all of the other candidates.
And in response to this political drama, Jotham tells this story. His point is clear. A man (or tree) of integrity would never sell out just to become a king. Only a thornbush would do something so depraved. Treacherous Abimelech was that thornbush. Take refuge under his brambles if you’d like, but don’t start crying when you’re pricked…that’s the nature of living with thorns.
Unfortunately, the people didn’t listen to Jotham and the young story-teller barely escaped with his life. It turns out Jotham was right after all. After three years on the throne of Israel – three years of wickedness – Abimelech met with a falling millstone dropped by a “loyal subject” tired of getting pricked by thorns. (see 9:53).
Like most of you, I voted recently and more elections are to come – including some pretty significant midterms. I prayed about these vote. I have spiritual concerns. I have pragmatic concerns. I have party concerns. And honestly, none of the candidates (in my opinion) ever seem to be truly ideal candidates. It seems to me that the olive tree, the fig tree, and the grapevine sit each election out. But I vote nonetheless.
I just hope I don’t vote for a thornbush. Who wants four years of being poked and scratched?
Here are a couple of lessons I take from this parable. We live in a world full of thorns – and sometimes we choose the brambles. Secondly, Israel’s problems didn’t begin with Abimelech. Their problems began, years before, when they “forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers…(Judges 2:12).” Going our own way simply leaves us with no good options in life…just brambles.
If we turn back to the Lord, perhaps he’ll give us a rose or two to go with those thorns.
