When We Choose a Foolish Leader | Judges 9:7-15

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This one’s for you.

Our text today is Judges 9:7-15.

When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim and cried aloud and said to them, “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, that God may listen to you. The trees once went out to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my abundance, by which gods and men are honored, and go hold sway over the trees?’ And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us.’ But the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit and go hold sway over the trees?’ And the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us.’ But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my wine that cheers God and men and go hold sway over the trees?’ Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’ And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade, but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’” — Judges 9:7-15

After Abimelech slaughters his brothers and assumes control over the people, only one surviving son remains—Jotham. He climbs Mount Gerizim, a place where blessings and curses were once pronounced over Israel (see Deuteronomy 27), and delivers the only parable in the book of Judges.

The meaning is straightforward: the noble trees (the olive, fig, and vine) refuse the offer of kingship because they are already fruitful and serve one another. However, the bramble—a thorn bush that bears no fruit, provides no shade, and only has thorns—accepts kingship. It offers “refuge,” but brambles cannot provide shade. Instead, they spread fire and destruction.

Jotham’s exhortation serves as a sharp condemnation: Abimelech is the bramble. He acts as a leader and seizes power, but he is devoid of fruit, shade, and life. If Israel chooses him, they will ultimately suffer the consequences—pain, fire, and ruin.

Jotham’s parable warns us about the nature of choosing and listening to the wrong leaders. Godly leaders are like fruitful trees—they serve, give, and bless. Ungodly leaders resemble brambles—they take, harm, and burn.

The tragedy is that people often prefer brambles and ignore the voice of reason. In our cities, churches, and communities, we still choose leaders and listen to leaders who are like brambles. Why? Because they promise quick refuge, flashy results, or false unity. However, in the end, they leave destruction, hardship, and lasting scars on individuals and communities.

The temptation for quick and flashy results persists today — in politics, business, the church, and even within families. Therefore, the critical question we need to ask when considering our leaders is not, “Who appears powerful?” or “Who promises impressive results?” but rather, “Who is producing real fruit right now?” The person who demonstrates genuine fruitfulness now is likely to continue doing so in the future and will probably be the wiser choice. So choose your leaders wisely!

ASK THIS:
Who are the “brambles” in my life that promise more than they deliver?
Do I look for fruitfulness or flashiness in leaders I follow?
How do I lead—like a tree that blesses or a bramble that burns?
Where might God be warning me through a voice I don’t want to hear?
DO THIS:
Examine one leader you’re following today—whether at work, in church, or online. Ask: do they bear fruit, or just offer thorns? Adjust who you trust accordingly.

PRAY THIS:
Lord, give me discernment to follow leaders who bear godly fruit, and make me a leader who serves others instead of using them. Amen.

PLAY THIS:
"Spirit Lead Me."