Day 49 of 365
LONGING FOR A KING
Abimelek, who was the son of Gideon by his Shechemite slave woman turned concubine (Jdg 8:11; 9:18), suffered the just consequences for his sin. The actions of the woman and Abimelek's armor-bearer are clearly the execution of the judgment of God. Though Abimelek schemed to have himself crowned king, it quickly became evident that his kingdom would only harness the violent depravity of humanity (9:1 - 6, 42 - 49). People need leaders to lead them, but human kings, like Abimelek, are incapable of ushering people into the shalom of God. The Israelites' deep-seated longing for a king and the constant disappointment in human kings left a void, which King Jesus eventually filled. His life demonstrated that only the sinless Son of God would be capable of leading people to follow God rightly. John, in his apocalyptic visions in the book of Revelation, declares Jesus to be the "Lord of lords and King of kings" (Rev 17:14; 19:16). All human leadership pales in comparison to the majesty of Jesus' rule and reign. By submitting to him, men and women can be led into a true and lasting kingdom not marked by death and depravity, but filled with love, peace and joy. And his great kingdom will have no end.
Jesus, help me look to you as my role model-not to human leaders. You are the Lord of lords and King of kings. Amen.
Judges 9:50-56 NASB
50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he camped against Thebez and captured it. 51 But there was a strong tower in the center of the city, and all the men and women with all the leaders of the city fled there and shut themselves in; and they went up on the roof of the tower. 52 So Abimelech came to the tower and fought against it, and approached the entrance of the tower to burn it with fire. 53 But a certain woman threw an upper millstone on Abimelech's head, crushing his skull. 54 Then he called quickly to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, "Draw your sword and kill me, so that it will not be said of me, 'A woman slew him.'" So the young man pierced him through, and he died. 55 When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, each departed to his home. 56 Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he had done to his father in killing his seventy brothers.
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