The Parable of the Trees is the first parable in the Bible. The crisis in our country is leadership. We desperately need it. “If the gold rusts then what shall the iron do”? In these verses we have a pitiful politician and a nation in disarray. What we have here are three steps in the decline of a nation:-

1 – The apostasy of an unthankful people (Judges 8:33-35)

God had given them a wonderful victory but they quickly followed a fertility cult shortly after the death of Joshua.

Even the mainline churches have re-imagined God. They seek for the god within themselves. They are really worshipping themselves. And mainline churches are funding this!

See Judges 17:6 – Politicians take polls and give the people what they want. Can you imagine Moses taking a poll? There is no fixed standard of morality. Everything is relative. It is not what is true but does it work! It is not theology but “me-ology”. We have gone from revelation to feeling. Sin is no longer the enemy but sorrow is. We should feel happy. We have gone from convictions to opinions.

In the USA children are not allowed to pray out loud and given thanks. Teachers are not allowed to bring a Bible or read it out. Religious liberties are being gradually taken away. Our children are being normalised by the media. Things that are disgusting no longer shock them. Woe unto them who call evil good and good evil. Children can get condoms but are denied the Ten Commandments. Freedom of Religion does not mean freedom from religion!

2 – The arrogance of an ungodly leader (Judges 9:1-6 – Abimelech)

He was a bramble that wanted to lead the country and gathered a coalition to do so. He then bought his constituents (vs4). He then brutalised his opposition by killing his family. Today there is the blood of all those babies who have been killed by abortion. Governments condone this today. He then had himself inaugurated in the name of religion. (vs. 6). This is where God spoke to Abraham.

3 – The apathy of uncommitted bystanders (Judges (9:7-15)

The olive, fig and vine were all too busy making their fruit and the bramble is allowed to rule. All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing. No names have been mentioned to protect the guilty! I think you know who they are. There is growing support among some groups for a return to old values as they see cultural disintegration.

Categories: Judges