Evil often seems to win

 

Judges 9:34-45

 

 

So, Abimelech and all the men who were with him rose up by night and set an ambush against Shechem in four companies.  And Gaal the son of Ebed went out and stood in the entrance of the gate of the city, and Abimelech and the people who were with him rose from the ambush.   And when Gaal saw the people, he said to Zebul, “Look, people are coming down from the mountaintops!” And Zebul said to him, “You mistake the shadow of the mountains for men.”   Gaal spoke again and said, “Look, people are coming down from the center of the land, and one company is coming from the direction of the Diviners' Oak.”   Then Zebul said to him, “Where is your mouth now, you who said, ‘Who is Abimelech, that we should serve him?’ Are not these the people whom you despised? Go out now and fight with them.”   And Gaal went out at the head of the leaders of Shechem and fought with Abimelech.   And Abimelech chased him, and he fled before him. And many fell wounded, up to the entrance of the gate.   And Abimelech lived at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his relatives so that they could not dwell at Shechem.

 

On the following day, the people went out into the field, and Abimelech was told.   He took his people and divided them into three companies and set an ambush in the fields. And he looked and saw the people coming out of the city. So, he rose against them and killed them.   Abimelech and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the city, while the two companies rushed upon all who were in the field and killed them.   And Abimelech fought against the city all that day. He captured the city and killed the people who were in it, and he razed the city and sowed it with salt.

 

Evil often seems to win, “but God”, from the book of Genesis to Revelation, we have “but God”, when it comes to bringing judgment on those who do evil, and most often it does not fit our timeline. But, it is not about us, and God who is all-knowing and holy timing is always right on schedule.  It has been three years, and it looks like God has not spoken, but Abimelech judgment is on schedule, look back to verse 23; “And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech,  that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.” 

 

Do you recall Abimelech getting warned about Gaal by Zebul, and it was Zebul that used the pride of Gaal to get him to go out with the men of Shechem, and Gaal soon realized he had let his mouth get him in big trouble, and he ran?  Today we have many Gaal, I pray that the people of God will be seekers of truth, for truth is only found in Jesus Christ.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice