Honour Where Honour Is Due

Have you ever read the scripture in Judges chapter nine? If not, let me introduce you to an insightful or simply very interesting parable.

The Parable of The Trees

Judges 9 : 7 - 15 NIV

When Jotham was told about this, he climbed up on the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted to them, "Listen to me, citizens of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.

One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king.'

"But the olive tree answered, 'Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees?'

"Next, the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and be our king.'

"But the fig tree replied, 'Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?'

"Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come and be our king.'

"But the vine answered, 'Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?'

"Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, 'Come and be our king.'

"The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'

This parable is dealing with a number of topics and I'd like to zoom into just a few of these.

1. Misguided Expeditions

2. Identity Awareness

3. Power Hunger

4. Dishonorable Honor

1. Red Stamped Expeditions

No matter how high up you may think you are, everyone or thing bows down or is answerable to a higher authority of some sort. The highest being our Lord and saviour; Jesus Christ. He sits at the right hand of God the Father; having been raised far above all principalities and powers.

So... The parable starts by saying that the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. #Heavy #Sigh. Because this already sounds like a set up for idolatry.

How can a group go out to seek, identify and even anoint a king for themselves? Again; idolatry.

The expedition seems rather misguided from the onset. The word says in Prov 11:14 NIV "For lack of guidance a nation falls."

Can the one with a need for submission and guidance also have the capability to justly seek, identify and anoint his own master?

The NKJV says in a multitude of counselors, there is safety. Not wisdom. Not authority; but safety.

I can imagine that meeting between the trees where they convinced each other that going out to look for another tree, to fill the position of leader, was an excellent idea.

This happens in many areas of our lives. Hyping each other up on misguided expeditions. Completely relying on the safety net of being amongst a multitude of counselors. This is often a direct result of fear; in whatever form it shows up at the time.

In principle, what the trees are doing is no different from going out as a group to find and carve out an image; speak to it and declare it authority over yourselves. Then worshiping it daily or however frequently.

Have the trees any inclination towards questioning the existence of a tree Maker? How have they grown into fully grown trees without a master? Why the need for one now?

That is a post on it's own; for another day.

2. Identity Awareness

Misguided as they are, the trees have set out to find and anoint for themselves a king.

The parable says that they experienced three rejections before finding a willing candidate in the thornbush.

They first approached an olive, fig tree and a vine. Three trees that are well established in their roles and identities. Content, fruitful and serving.

These three trees, know and operate in their purpose. Not in the slightest enticed by the power position being offered to them.

To these three, being king is not glamorous. It is a role that they know they are not made for.

There is power in being aware of one's identity and abilities. Stop being found wanting because of a hunger for power. That lustfulness can lead to a futile life of swaying over trees you have no calling to lead

3. Power Hunger

One can say that the thornbush is power hungry. It is a low tree, not much shade and definitely not even a fruit tree. Yet, spotting the desperation of the trees to finding something to submit to; the thornbush becomes lustful for this power position.

Shameless indeed.

The thornbush goes as far as trying to force consent out of the trees; while sneaking in a curse of fire to the desperate trees.

Some may applaud the thornbush for being smart and a shrewd opportunist. Irrespective that it does not have the shade which it offers. Nor can it sub contract the so called value offering.

4. Dishonorable Honor

What honour is there in yielding your praise and service to unworthy authority. Unworthy because they were never ordained nor made to be authority over you. Like being at work, busy reporting to a colleague instead of the actual set manager.

It is dishonorable to do that. Worse when the Lord has made you upright and fruitful in your own right.

Yielding to a thornbush is not your portion as a cedar tree. How do you plan to bow down to the thornbush? Practically.

There is no reason to believe that God is unable to assign an ordained shepherd for lost sheep. A farmer to a field of trees in need of care. Not a thornbush to cedar trees.

Lets Pray:

Lord Jesus. Help me to be honest in my prayers; in moments of weakness or doubt.

God is faithful to establish me and keep me from the evil one.

Jesus Christ said: I will never leave you orphans. I am His beloved child.

King David said: I have been young and now am old. Never have I seen the righteous of the Lord forsaken... I believe in these words and confess that the Lord will never leave me nor forsake me. In Jesus' Name.

Open my eyes Lord God to my value, fruitfulness and giftings. As given by You Almighty God.

Reveal every thornbush my good Father in my life. Uproot and destroy them immediately. Along with their curses, conditions and anything else they came with. Burn them all with Your fire to be utterly consumed.

God Almighty; minister to areas of insecurity or impatience in my life. I am complete with Jesus Christ in me. For in Him we live and move and have our being.

Desensitize oh God every opportunistic vulture and thornbush to areas of our weakness. Because when we are weak, Jesus is strong.

May the Lord restore every cedar tree to its rightful standing in every area wrongfully bowed down to thornbushes.

Let God's will be done in our lives as it is in heaven and Lord, dealing bountifully with the ones that trust fully in You.

Your grace is always sufficient.

In Jesus' Mighty Name.

Amen