[One-Verse Meditation]

Judges 9:45 (NIV) “All that day Abimelech pressed his attack against the city until he had captured it and killed its people. Then he demolished the city and sowed it with salt.”

[Meditation]

The hearts of the people of Shechem, who had made Abimelech their king, turn against him. They place their trust in another arrogant man, Gaal, and curse the king they themselves had established. In the end, the king and the people who made him king become enemies pointing swords at each other. Abimelech captures Shechem, demolishes the city, and sows it with salt, turning it into a cursed land where life cannot grow. Just as in Jotham’s parable, the fire that spewed from the thornbush king consumed everything.

This is the result of choosing a king who is tempting to the eyes and ears instead of God’s promise. It seems like everything will go according to one’s own will, but the end of a world without God is nothing but a war of mutual destruction and emptiness. True peace can never exist because “my share” is always more important.

But what are we to do? This tragic scene is also found in us today. The desire to befriend the world and become ‘my own king’ is clearly within us. Yet, the Lord does not give up on us and holds on to us with His Word.

“I will put my law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people” (Jeremiah 31:33).

The Lord knows our failure and promises to engrave His law not on tablets of stone, but on the tablets of our hearts. Because it is impossible for us in our own strength, He promises to rule our hearts Himself through the Holy Spirit and make us His people. Those who hold onto this promise are the holy community, the saints.

[Prayer]

Lord, help me to know that neither Abimelech nor Gaal is the true king, so that I may fix my eyes and ears only on You. Rule over my heart, so that I may fully sing, ‘You alone are my King,’ on this new day. Amen.
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(Daily Reading)

Judges 9:26-45