The Bramble King (Part B)

The temptations will come and they will sound very sweet and make us feel useful for outside of what were called to do. And even as they came to these trees temptations.

Regardless, again, of what shape they come in their outside out purpose and it helps as a believer to know what your purpose is, and do that. Stay focused on what your purpose is this is cross reference radio with our pastor and teacher. Rick asked Rick is the pastor of Calvary Chapel Mechanicsville.

Pastor Rick is currently teaching through the book of Judges, please stay with us after today's message to hear more information about cross reference radio, specifically how you can get a free copy of this teaching the bramble king is the title of Pastor Rick's message and today he will be in Judges chapter 9 verse eight, the trees once went forth, now he begins his parable to anoint a king over them and they said to the olive tree reign over us. This is the first recorded parable in the Bible. And of course parables in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. They are timeless illustrations very beneficial and they take some concrete situation and they casted an abstract.

You know, sort of light that ends up a laconic abstract concept and it it ends up being concrete solid something you can say yes I see it and don't forget easily. Ezekiel and Daniel in their ministries. The use trees to make their point to the nation before Nebuchadnezzar. And so we have Jotham doing the same thing as using these trees and start over. The olive tree.

These trees are nominated.

That's where he's going with this.

He saved all the trees of the divine fig tree. The olive fig and vine. They represent those nominated to rule over them most fruitful people to rule over them.

That's where he's going with this.

The fruit bearing trees were those who fulfill the needs in life. They made a contribution to life and then in a society where harvesting the animals dictated the rhythm people were very in touch with these things. Now the grocery stores do it for us or what under the open. These trees that he's giving is an example that then they're not looking to do anything else would bear their fruit.

Unlike memo like Spurgeon preaches about this. One of his sermons. He says they strove to win over those better trees which had remained faithful so now look at it in this light, you have someone who is very fruitful life. Someone wants that person to run for political office to stop being fruitful and come lead us in this office and their response of the olive tree type character not what I am doing here is very important I get back to that as we coloring more the parable verse nine but the olive tree said to them, should I cease giving my oil with which they honor God and man to go and sway over trees of the trees of the people that are coming to the fruit trees to nominate them to rule over and the fruit trees are telling the non-fruit rib bearing trees and one since all trees bear fruit until they continue to exist to acorns, the fruit of an oak. For example, but not is not a crop you can eat, and you got them told you can eat acorn if you know how to prepare it and is quite dramatic… Go with you can either acorn and not suffer consequences. So verse 10 then the trees said to the fig you common reign over us so the olive tree said and I'm not interested.

So they went the going down of the circular strength on fig tree, and they figured out where fig tree was and he says, verse 11.

But the fig tree said to them, should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit and goals sway over trees. This is a masterpiece of a parable.

The quality and value of these trees is not measured by size there measured by their fruit by their contribution to life.

I don't know why I love olive oil not big on the fix, but there's other fruit that you could substitute like cherries or some beaches.

So anyway, but that they make this contribution and they would be distracted from what they were created for what they are ordained to do even anointed to do. They would be distracted from serving their God-given purpose. If they were just to listen to anybody. No matter how noble the nomination might appear. Should I stop serving God and care about those who don't care about God system. I don't want to have sway over the cares of the world. In verse 12 he says in the trees said to the vine you common reign over us fig trees that know the olive tree said no. I have always felt since I've been a Christian that it's a step down for pastor to leave his pulpit for politics. I think it's not only a step is not like a step down a step step down an abyss, and if they do it.

They think they get a following of people in the church at that then qualifies someone to get hold of the year you'd make a good senator the way you deliver your .0 boy flattery just pours on.

We need more godly men and pulpits. We need godly people in politics, but not at the cost of our pulpits pulpit should contribute to producing fruitful characters who have what it takes to hold public office and survive on their salary the same time.

Well, verse 12 then the trees into the vine you common reign over us.

These are distractions from greater things to lesser things that's with the truth.

Trees in this parable is what he saying is getting to the point of getting to Abimelech, and I lost sight of all the building this up. He saying there are those characters that are not distracted from what they're supposed to be doing not moving from greater things to lesser things near Meyer. You gotta love Nehemiah.

They tried to you Michael, we need to meet with you. We need to talk you talk you about all this work you're doing Inuit. They were up to. So I sent messages to them. Nehemiah 63 saying I am doing a great work so that I cannot come down. Why should the work cease while I leave it and go down to you, it's gonna love Nehemiah that Luke chapter 10 Jesus speaking before he speaks with the state would records.

But Martha was distracted with much serving as a trap. You are a diligent servant.

You've got to put also to guards out against possessing the ministry against you know being competitive and against working so hard and no one can challenge you that without me.

The whole thing stops.

That is, the devil, feeding the flesh have to have a servant's heart said I serve the master. If he says go I go.

If he says stop I stop that is how it is not to be is the best system we know in this life. Everything else is a recipe for disaster. We secede over and over again.

Sometimes you have a good servant, and they make mess up something in someone's point out of them and they are to the candle. They think they're above correction or reproach. I don't like someone pointing out my mistakes is not pleasant. So we work hard to not let it happen and if it should happen always have ready someone else to blame.

Getting Psalm 119 verse 37 turn away my eyes from looking at worthless things, and revive me in your way will that's the illustration of these three trees that built them is presented to us there fruitful and they will not be distracted from being fruitful because you think they should go do something else. Verse 13 the vine said to them, should I cease my new wine which shares both God and man and go sway over trees like the translators doing that doing that. I'm not trying to sway over people. I'm trying to be fruitful and what I was called to do and so it teaches us this fable that he is presenting to them the temptations will come and they will sound very sweet and make us feel useful or fruitful, but there outside of what we called to do.

And even as they came to these trees temptations. Regardless, again, of what shape they come in there outside our purpose and it helps as a believer, to know what your purpose is and do that says stay focused on what your purpose is Spurgeon also said once. If you going to be the second fill be the second filter. There is not trying to be first to speak. Just concentrate on your calling and so the pictures the trees looking for a king among the trees, all of them refuse the nomination because each would have to sacrifice their calling your appointment in order to rule over people and it's not what they wanted to do. They were not willing to make that sacrifice, but the bramble, the bramble would be king without dignity. He had no such conviction and, as such purpose was unworthy. It was unqualified. It was unfruitful and he was unkind as a person, as is the bramble the wicked qualifications me nothing. Only ambition get that power.

What can you do for me and what have you done for me lately fruit trees not leaving their sweet appointments that messages now been said by Joseph them in front of every body and a can of course as we look around that we see in the political world. We see that it has so offers much power and the wicked go towards power. They want the power wears many of the righteous and the power that after success in fruitfulness and fulfillment and usefulness so many very qualified people they would never run for office. They would occupy themselves with other things. Verse 14 then all the trees said to the bramble you common reign over us. Look at that. So they settle for fine the other trees the oaks the sycamores the cedars the Elms that they then they come to the bramble, which is a shrub will settle for a useless ruler over them. We see this in politics all the time.

We just talking how the last Sunday of some of us were talking that in Georgia sometime back there candidate was in a mental institution, and he won the election from a mental institution not even want to step up his mind is madness so the trees were persistent in the parable, ready to be satisfied with the bramble king. These the that the people of Shechem. This is what he saying the bramble is a thorn bush. This is useless except as Candlewood is no crop. It is no wood that you can gain from it to make furniture or weapons or anything it's just good to Kindle fires in the end. Sometimes it's as it did in the summer months. It catches fire and it its causes destruction to the other trees or people or people's interest in crops, for example, it was a menace and Psalm 58 translates the same word as thorns. This bramble bush was a thorn bush. It's a compliment to say to someone urine Oak or you're as beautiful as a now review everything I own. I will examine pictures knowing knowing what I'm looking at a beautiful tree but so this up again. This powerful image. Verse 15 then the bramble said to the trees. If, in truth, you anoint me as king over you, then come and take shelter in my shape, but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

The system of prophetic is speaking under the anointing. That's where we wish we knew more about this man, Jonathan, but the bramble said to the trees. This Abimelech says to the people. This club this useless shrub says to the citizens if you anoint me king bring on my shape and in the parable, Jill. The missing is this a joke.

You have no shade to offer trees your shrub case your message and you know your your rosebush saying to Anoka come under my shade, it would be like a possum single pride of lions, under my authority and alt I'll protect you. It is a nuisance. This thorn bush and once on fire. It's a problem and so he says in the parable, let fire come out. Of the bramble symbol of Abimelech their new king, and he is going to be very much involved in destructive fire and he also will perish where he says the cedars of Lebanon and this is the bottom of verse 15 but if not, let the fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.

Those the people of Shechem and they will be devoured by the fire kindled by Abimelech and what will come to that in just a little bit and so he says that bottom of verse 15. Let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon and it is again prophetic verse 16. Now therefore, if you have acted in truth and sincere sincerity in making Abimelech king and you if you have dealt well with Jerome Bell in his house and have done him as he deserves for my father fought for you risked his life and delivered you out of the hand of Midian, but if you have risen up against my father's house this day and killed her 70 sons on one stone and made Abimelech the son of his female servant king over the men of Shechem because he is your brother and will just pause there. Please stop with the parable. Verse 16 begins his now his statement to the men of Shechem citizens of Shechem. From Mount Grissom and events will prove his words accurate prophetic now's a good time.

Read Proverbs 1910 luxury is not fitting for a fool, much less a servant to rule over princes. That's the connection that Joe them is making by saying this man you're making king is the son of a servant to a king and you should know better that this is saying that this low status is not prepared him for such a task as a side note, the Bible never presents polygamy as a virtuous quality is something to to be practice it. It always shows the consequence of it and and it's unfortunate that it took so long to get a handle on this verse 19. If then you have acted in truth and sincerity with Jerome Bell and with the his house this day and rejoice in Abimelech and let him also rejoice in you. So he dares them to justify their deed you think this is good you think the slaughter of the children of this hero of the nation is somehow noble. Okay then you run with that you you going pay that.

That's the point. And so he's chop down Abimelech singing of the mother shrub you wish you could be as fruitful as others which are not, and if you people are satisfied with this, can you get the king you deserve.

That's how he's closing this up. Verse 20 but if not, let fire come from Abimelech and devour the mentor Shechem and Beth Milos and let fire come from the men of Shechem and from Beth Mello and devour Abimelech in another words they going to be on her disastrous course. Once these fires are lit, and that will come out in the story. Unfortunately, Joe them is talking to the wall brick wall and not what you know we don't know their people in the audience of the during these events.

When the righteous stand up and preach that may have genuinely been moved by these things, but their attention is placed on the key characters and so we know that to this day is the case of a man can give a sermon or you can preach in the office places him in some of overhears you and is moved enough to move to the Lord, and you may never know many times you never know who is being impacted by just being a righteous preacher or preacher of righteousness.

Otherwise, the stories are just depressing and not realistic because the realistic factor is that people get saved from hearing people say things that are righteous. Faith comes by hearing hearing by the word of God. Well, verse 21 then Joe them ran away and fled and he went to beer and dwell there for fear of Abimelech's brother. How tragic he ran from his brother.

His brother was a mass murderer.

Verse 22 and Abimelech had reigned over Israel three years. Again no evidence that his reign really extended.

We don't know what beer is. That's mentioned in verse 21 week which had no evidence of his authority really spilling out in the writer just maybe just throwing that out there to say you know nobody contested him as king by the be hard to make a case for you Josie are valid in all of the coronation to the king of Judah came and Ephraim came in the tribe really have any that you see course when when not Saul and David incarnated will affect when Saul's corner. There were those protesters have the sky rule over us, 23, God sent a spirit of ill will between Abimelech and the men of Shechem and the mentor Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech that the crime done to the 70 sons of Zerubbabel might be settled in their blood be laid on Abimelech. There brother who killed them, and on the mentor Shechem who aided him in the killing of his brothers several times three, four times in this chapter we read brought up the 70 that were killed because this was of course a horrific event, the shielding that Abimelech would've had had he been God anointed and appointed is not there.

It's absent and within three years. This, of relative success relative to what's coming is collapsing. God permitted the natural tendencies of these characters to run their course. He didn't play, but no stops in place to guide his discovery is a creep in the sky overhears a crib and let them go together except for those kind of people do birds of a feather flock together and they going to get together and nocturnal Abimelech and I stop it and that's what's going on.

Isaiah 66 verse four God speaking to the prophet so I will choose their delusions and bring their fears on them because when I called. No one answered. When I spoke they did not hear but they did evil before my eyes and shows that in which I do not delight.

They chose that they didn't care about what God says we read these words and when we stumble we say, but Lord, I do care and I don't want to stop all the wicked don't care and will make that prayer then not interested in what offends God unless they think he's going to punish them. Still, they really care what God thinks through their our relationship with him. Why became a Christian. I didn't care what the Bible said, but now it's all a story. Verse 25 in the mentor Shechem set men in ambush against him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who passed by them along the way and it was told Abimelech mentor Shechem set men in ambush against him when me and him is not Abimelech riding through their being ambushed us his interest. This was a trade route and unrest stirred up in Shechem. Abimelech's not living in Shechem at this time and they are hitting the trade routes submitted taking his tariffs.

The money he's getting from these caravans going through the trust of the people is being challenged in the coming under the shade of his matches is now working. He's 5 miles from Shechem, verse 41 in a room, a knot is a rumor, but our room is the name of the village where he is and so the bramble king is losing money is losing control is not protecting is not offering relief.

The shade that he promised. Verse 26 Gail the son of the Arab and will repeat that enough times just for me. The just did it came with his brothers and went over to Shechem in the mentor Shechem put their confidence in him. So here's an upstart going to come on the scene now gal another opportunist, but he's not as successful as Abimelech and is on principle ways him and his buddies there probably the ones robbing all who passed by. Along the way.

He's probably got his hands in it anyway. Verse 27 so they went out into the field and gather grapes from their vineyards and trod them and made Mary and they went into the house of their God and ate and drank and cursed Abimelech so there vine yard says some pronouncement produces fruit from them.

This is now July June July, the great harvest time when armies go out to war. Also, again, alcohol is influencing these individuals. They have their harvest.

They've made their grapes that wait for the ferment, do it. It does, then they start drinking it and the inhibitors are gone and they start vocalizing there resentment towards Abimelech and they do it publicly, railing against him. Now that's the beginning of the end for them to move. Thanks for tuning in to cross reference radio for this study in the book of Judges cross reference radio is the teaching ministry pastor Rick Gaston of Calvary Chapel in Mechanicsville, Virginia. If you'd like more information about this ministry, we invite you to visit our website cross reference radio.com you will find additional teachings from Pastor Rick available there, and we encourage you to subscribe to our podcast by doing so you will be notified of each new edition of cross reference radio. You can search for cross reference radio on your favorite podcast that work just follow the links across reference radio.com that's all the time we have for today. Join us next time to continue learning more from the book of Judges right here cross reference rate