If you want to grow as a Christian, if you want an effective ministry, if you want to extend the Kingdom of God, you must go through the test set before you.
Scripture reference is Judges 9 – please read the whole chapter.
Historical Enrichment
Historically, Jotham’s prophecy came to pass. Since the men of Scechem had not shown respect to the house of Gideon, one of the men of Shechem, Gall ben Ebed, turned against Abimelech (vs. 23-39). Gaal Ben Ebed’s rebellion failed. But Abimilech was eventually murdered by his own armour-bearer, that he might not be remembered as being killed by a woman when he tried to set fire to the city fortress of Thebez (vs. 50-55).
Spiritual Teaching
The parable of promotion demonstrates through nature, the spiritual principle that every leader must know his own place of ministry and stay in it. Jotham’s parable describes how all but one tree knew the place that God had given to them in nature and were content to stay there. The olive tree, the fig tree, and the grape vine showed their acceptance of their place in nature, when they said:
“Shall I leave my fatness with which God and men are honoured, and go wave (be promoted) over the trees?” (olive tree, v.9)
“Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit, and go to wave (be promoted) over the trees? (fig tree. V11)
“Shall I leave my new wine, which cheers God and men, and go to wave (be promoted) over the trees? (Grape vine, v13)
Unless a person is walking in the spirit, he may sabotage the success of his Christian walk or his ministry.
In applying this parable to leadership and promotion, we see that every leader must adopt the attitude of ministry acceptance as expressed by the olive, fig and vine. They accepted from God their present and future status in nature. So must every leader accept the place of ministry which God has given him (and from time to time gives him) in His vineyard. Much strife, jealousy and hurt feelings could be avoided if God’s leaders would just find their ministries and stay within their boundaries.
Beloved, be encouraged as God uses the small things of this world to confound the great, and the foolish things to confound the wise. He knew His purpose in making you, and He made you in harmony with His purpose. “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
God has plans to use you. Welcome Him, welcome His plans, welcome His tests, for they are “Good, acceptable and perfect will of God.” (Romans 12:2)
Related products: Training Academy: Kingdom Leaders in the Making