“The Third Rejection”

“And the vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my new wine, which is joy to God and men, and shall I go to dominate the trees?’” (Judges 9:13)

This is the third and the last rejection that the forest’s “new king committee” receives, and once again, the rejection is based on the same principle.  The vine, a third tree that bears good fruit, understood that when one pursues one’s own ego rather than the proper plan of God, good fruit is lost.  There is no rushing ahead of God and there is no pushing God to act—and all actions that are aimed in that direction are sin.  There is only waiting upon the Lord’s good timing and good will to open doors ahead of you and to close doors behind you.  Once again, in the context of our passage, Abimelech and the people of Shechem were seeking their own agendas first and above all things rather than seeking to live righteously for before the Lord.

Friends one of the great lessons of this parable is that there is a proper calling for each of us.  To fulfill that calling and to do it well and to the glory of God is the task that is laid before us.  There are times when others will flatter our egos and tickle our ears with promises of honor and great authority, but if God is not opening the doors, it will likely ruin your fruit which blesses God and mankind.  Our sole purpose in life is to glorify God and to enjoy him forever—outside of that purpose is nothing other than eternal misery.  Friends, discern and use your gifts for God’s glory, whatever your calling and whatever your situation—use every moment for God’s glory and ignore the temptations of those who would call on you to be king.