It’s kind of hard to know what to think about Abimelech. He’s one of those guys who you really don’t like, but for some reason, at least for a time, he seemed to have God’s favor upon him. He somehow achieved a faithful following, and the Israelites stuck by him through thick and thin. Still, young Jotham’s poetic metaphor came to fruition. What a message he speaks in this poem. The chapter is long and full of great stuff, but this prophecy, mmmm, yummy. Look what it says, and it’s all controversial, but it says right off, if one valuable player takes the lead (and doesn’t insure that someone can take over his duties), then the whole team falls apart. But it also says, (please bear with my horrible translation), that sometimes the best leaders are found in the least apparent individuals. While the thornbush looks rough and tumble on the outside, it can make for a sturdy shady spot or cover from dangerous prey. It also, however, is dry as a bone and a fire hazard under the right conditions. That’s Abimelech. Now, I don’t know how effective the 70 brothers were in leading Israel together. Like the fig tree and grape vine, I’m sure they all had their gifts, but I’m also sure they all had their opinions, too. That’s not to say I think their death sentence was OK. It is to say, though, that Abimelech could have been a much better thornbush.
Writing prompt: thornbush
Sometimes it takes a thornbush to get a job done. I’ve known a few thornbushes in my day. How about you? Write about a thornbrush you know today. Tell us whether your thornbrush provided shelter or eventually went up in flames … or if you’re still waiting to see what happens.
jugglingfire.com 