Use of might to rule over people has been synonymous with human beings from the cradle of institution of governance. Many who have ruled their countries have been people who used personal might available to them bulldozing their ways up. Use of might has been seen amongst political, religious and traditional leaders in the world as better ways to take over powers. In the Bible, Abimelech stands as one who used his might to become a King over his people. He was a son of Gideon and one of the 71 sons of Gideon, born to him by a concubine from Shechem. When Gideon died, Abimelech saw no need to wait for neither God nor people to choose him King over his people. These days, thousands and one unwanted leaders have use all machineries of might available to them to become ruler over people.
Abimelech quickly ran to his mother’s people at Shechem, used his uncle and convinced his mother’s people to make him King. He was made the King and again influenced about seventy troublemaking guys who would follow him to his father’s people to force people accept him King over them (Judges 9: 3 – 4). After becoming the King, Abimelech used the gang of his supporters to kill 69 out of the 70 sons of his father. The youngest of them escaped. He did this to pave a peaceful way for himself. But he got it wrong. Abimelech succeeded becoming the King; but trouble would visit him after three years of his reign. Reason it is said that might does not make right.
After Abimelech governed Israel for three years, God set an evil spirit between him and the citizens of Shechem who treacherously rebelled against him. Jesus Christ said whoever killed by sword will die by sword (Matt. 26: 5). Abimelech used treacherous method to become King and his opponents used treacherous mean to oppress him. The rebels set men on the hilltops of Shechem to ambush and rob everyone who passed by, making leadership ungovernable for him. What this translates to is that everyone who used might to rule will not see peace in his/her days of regiment. King Abimelech would enter series of wars struggling to sustain his position till he died in the battle at Shechem in a town of Thebez (Judges 9: 50 – 55).
PRAYER:
Almighty Father, restore the world back to peaceful society by removing leaders who came into power by force. Raise capable people to confront and defeat them in the name of Jesus Christ.
bishopubaudenyi@hopealivechurch