Pride and Presumption – Judges 9

Resentment Breeds Contempt

We leave a legacy whether good or bad.

Gideon’s legacy was heroism.

Gideon’s legacy was idolatry.

Gideon’s legacy was one of self gratification.

Meager beginnings tend to make or break us - life tests our metal.

The Crucible of life either build character or wrecks it.

Character

Identity of Abimelech whose name means “my Father is King”

Son of a concubine from Shechem.

Outsider from the rest of the family.

Gideon refused the crown.

Abimelech covets the crown.

Covetousness breeds resentment which leads to contempt and finally to outright rebellion.

We don’t know what this son of Gideon may have endured growing up.

He felt he deserved better - that he was better.

Abimelech wanted to be king - the kingship his father refused.

We see the same pattern in the rebellion of the Angel Lucifer as recorded in the OT.

Be Available 1. Seizing the Kingdom (Jdg. 9:1–21)

The Greek philosopher Plato said, “Might is right”; and three centuries later, the Roman philosopher Seneca wrote, “Might makes right.” The French novelist Joseph Joubert wrote seventeen centuries later, “Might and right govern everything in the world; might till right is ready.” But when might is in the hands of selfish dictators, right rarely has a chance to get ready or to take over. Might seizes control and will hold it unless a stronger power overcomes and brings freedom.

Be Available 1. Seizing the Kingdom (Jdg. 9:1–21)

The Greek philosopher Plato said, “Might is right”; and three centuries later, the Roman philosopher Seneca wrote, “Might makes right.” The French novelist Joseph Joubert wrote seventeen centuries later, “Might and right govern everything in the world; might till right is ready.” But when might is in the hands of selfish dictators, right rarely has a chance to get ready or to take over. Might seizes control and will hold it unless a stronger power overcomes and brings freedom.

Disparagement, Deception, Contempt, Conceit

These are the seed for the murder of seventy family members.

Eastern Politics, as Roman Politics was murder.

Concise Oxford English Dictionary Disparage

verb represent as being of little worth; scorn.

—DERIVATIVES disparagement noun disparaging adjective disparagingly adverb

—ORIGIN Middle English (in the sense ‘marry someone of unequal rank’, also ‘bring discredit on’): from Old French desparagier ‘marry someone of unequal rank’, based on Latin par ‘equal’.

b. Deception and Contempt would become the seedbed for premeditated murder.

2. The first parable recorded in Scripture was spoken by Jotham, the only surviving son of Gideon.

The first parable recorded in Scripture was spoken by Jotham, the only surviving son of Gideon.

It is one thing to seize power and quite another to hold it.

Pseudo peace followed by chaos, ruin, annihilation and humiliation.

Abimelech seems to model for us the coming world ruler - antichrist.

His Pride and ambition

His Deception and Contempt

His Deception

His Anger And Conceit

His Downfall.