Paulie | Shall I Leave my Wine?
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Shall I Leave my Wine?

25 Oct Shall I Leave my Wine?

So here’s the story.

Gideon, a most able leader of the Israelites, is no more.

He has been gathered peacefully to his people, and buried in the tomb of his father, Joash

And after 40 years of his rule, it is now time for someone else to take the reigns.

But the man, we are told, has many sons.

Seventy, in fact, not including  Abimelech, son of his Shechemite concubine.

And Abimelech has a plan; a most devious one indeed.

Before his step-brothers can say “who’s’ next?”, he makes his way to Shechem, home to his mother’s kin.

Calls an assembly and addresses his Shechemite brethren;

“Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal reign over you,” he says, “or that one reign over you? Remember that I am your own flesh and bone.”

The people, it turns out, are inclined to agree.

Much inclined.

They hatch a cunning plan.

Obtain seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, their god, and hand the booty over to their man Abimelech.

They are in full support of his nefarious plot and he, in turn, does not disappoint.

He rushes back to his departed father’s house and engages part two of his plan.

In an act of unimaginable cruelty, Abimelech executes all seventy of his brothers, in one murderous move.

And thusly becomes the new ruler of Israel.

Check!

But unbeknownst to him, Jotham, the youngest, survives.

And he too has a plan.

He bravely makes his way to Shechem, and addresses the very same louts responsible for his brothers’ violent deaths.

He narrates to them a parable;

“The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them,” he says.

And they said to the olive tree,
‘Reign over us!’
But the olive tree said to them,
‘Should I cease giving my oil,
With which they honor God and men,
And go to sway over trees?’

“Then the trees said to the fig tree,
‘You come and reign over us!’
 But the fig tree said to them,
‘Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit,
And go to sway over trees?’

“Then the trees said to the vine,
‘You come and reign over us!’
But the vine said to them,
‘Should I cease my new wine,
Which cheers both God and men,
And go to sway over trees?’

“Then all the trees said to the bramble,
‘You come and reign over us!’

The Olive, Fig and Vine, it appears, were the choicest among the trees, most suitable to lead the forest.

But when asked to step up and lead, each had a reason to decline.

Monsieur Olive was dedicated to the production of his most valued oil.

Bwana Fig, his delicious fruit.

And Vine, his well-loved wine.

None was willing to to risk a career move at that point, it seems.

So what happened?

Thorn, the least suitable of all, took over.

But not without a warning.

“If in truth you anoint me as king over you, he said
Then come and take shelter in my shade;”

“But if not, let fire come out of the bramble
And devour the cedars of Lebanon!”

Translation:

“..mta ona chamtema kuni..”

Gulp.

But alas the trees had no choice, seeing as Olive, Fig and Vine were otherwise occupied.

——–

Abimelech did eventually take over, and his leadership, turned out to be, well, thorny.

Jotham’s parable had been right.

When good, qualified men and women fail to lead, thorns and brambles grab hold of the reigns.

And, sadly, the people pay a most hefty price indeed.

Hear what scripture has to say, concerning this matter:

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.”

Pray, brethren, will the true Olives, Figs and Vines of this generation please stand up??

 

——————

*Special thanks to Reverend Peter & Pastor Linda Adolwa, of Mavuno Crossroads Church, for inspiring this message. You are an inspiration to many!

The story of Abimelech’s deceitful take-over of his father’s throne is related in Judges 9.

“When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.” Proverbs 29:2

 

14 Comments
  • Katherine N Kisila
    Posted at 19:32h, 25 October Reply

    Thankyou for that most powerful,exquisitely written word Paulie!
    You are a true leader in this generation.

    • Paulie
      Posted at 20:26h, 25 October Reply

      Thank you very much, Katherine!

  • Chris
    Posted at 22:01h, 25 October Reply

    This message truly speaks to us in society who are reluctant leaders, the price due to that resistance is quite hefty. Thank you for this message today.

  • Caroline Anyiso
    Posted at 03:39h, 26 October Reply

    Paulie, you make me so proud. A truly timely message.

  • Evalyne W. Waruhiu
    Posted at 07:45h, 26 October Reply

    May the true leaders stand up! How timely. The Lord’s message is so clear to this generation. God Bless you.

  • ShikuK
    Posted at 10:47h, 26 October Reply

    How easy it is to sit back, and complain and make no effort to be different or make a difference. Thank you for the reminder!

  • Eva Njogu
    Posted at 00:08h, 27 October Reply

    A very timely message for the season we are in…towards another election year…thank you Paulie

  • Kate Tongoi
    Posted at 07:48h, 29 October Reply

    How you bring Scripture alive with such wisdom, intellect and wit is a gift from God. Yes, we shouldn’t murmur when the perceived “wrong leaders” come into power when we were too busy with our core businesses to stand up and be counted. Of course, that applies to those whom the Lord has specifically called into that kind of leadership (political) but instead of stepping up, are in rebellion or reluctance. Should one insist on going ahead without the Lord’s cover , they will surely be a thorn in the flesh of their constituents/nation?
    Keep it up, girl.

    • Paulie
      Posted at 08:40h, 29 October Reply

      Very true Kate. And to those who do not feel called to political leadership – make it your business to identify and support those who are. Without you, they may not get very far!

      • Kate Tongoi
        Posted at 09:07h, 29 October Reply

        Amen . Prayer, material, moral, social capital . .. we are all able to offer at least one form of support.

  • Margaret Gacukia
    Posted at 09:49h, 29 October Reply

    Wow! What a challenge for all of us. May Godly leaders stand up n be counted.

  • Paul kambi
    Posted at 08:43h, 28 January Reply

    This is great. Am inspired. God bless

    • Paulie
      Posted at 09:09h, 28 January Reply

      Thank you Paul. May you be blessed too!

  • Mary Clare Njeri
    Posted at 16:01h, 09 August Reply

    The Righteous in our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ to head all affairs….Amen ??

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