The Bramble
There are a few stories that highlight women bringing an end to injustice in the Bible. One of the stories that the Lord is highlighting to me right now is a unique story told in Judges 9. It’s about a brave young boy named Jotham and a corrupt brother named Abimelech.
Abimelech kills 70 of his brothers because he wanted to become king. After this atrocity, the only surviving youngest brother, Jotham, went to the top of Mount Gerizim (which was told to be the mountain of blessing in Deuteronomy 11:29) and proclaims an interesting parable about trees to his brother and his worthless followers.
He basically describes three trees – olive, fig and vine, which were asked to rule over the other trees. But these trees all had different purposes and did not want to rule over the trees. So the trees then asked the bramble to rule over them.
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 9:14-15
This parable is hard to follow but if we look at the surface of the parable, we can get an idea of what Jotham is saying. Bramble doesn’t offer shade like trees do and it doesn’t bear any fruit. In fact, the only thing bramble is good for is for burning.
Now, Abimelech became king and for three years and it looked like he got away with it. However, the Lord sent an evil spirit between the leaders of Shechem and they began fighting amongst themselves. More worthless men began causing trouble, fields were set on fire and leaders began to betray one another. Abimelech set fire to a group of 1000 people who gathered together who were in opposition to him. By now, Abimelech was on a rampage and was headed to Thebez where the people had gathered together in a strong tower. Again, Abimelech tried to set the tower on fire, but this time was different.
A woman threw a millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull (Judges 9:53). Once he had been killed, everyone dispersed and God made all the evil of the men of Shechem return on their own heads. It’s interesting how many stories in our Bibles have a woman at the hand of bringing justice or peace. This isn’t the only story of a woman that refers to a man’s head.
Could these scriptures be highlighting something significant, a sign that God is showing us something bigger? Let’s look at Genesis when we first notice women being associated with the head.
And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel.
Genesis 3:15
Esther – Divine Timing
Women play a significant role in the Bible. Just as Esther stepped out in courage to save the Jewish people because God placed her in the perfect time and perfect place to do so. Mordecai, in the book of Esther, makes a very important point to Esther before she had committed to saving her people. Mordecai said:
“Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”
Esther 4:13-14
I believe the Lord is highlighting this bramble story to me right now because of the hopelessness felt by many mothers across the nation. We, as women, were born for such a time as this as well. The Lord hears our prayers and our concerns for our children. The Lord also sees our obedience to Him. Are we asking the bramble to rule over us or does God rule over us?
Deborah – A Mother in Israel
In the story of Judges, Deborah states: The villagers ceased in Israel; they ceased to be until I arose; I, Deborah, arose as a mother in Israel. Judges 5:7
If you compare this to 2 Samuel we see that phrase, ‘mother in Israel’, again. When a woman’s town was attacked for something a rebellious man had done, she calls out to resolve the problem.
“You seek to destroy a city that is a mother in Israel. Why will you swallow up the heritage of the Lord?” Joab answered, “Far be it from me, far be it, that I should swallow up or destroy! That is not true. But a man of the hill country of Ephraim, called Sheba the son of Bichri, has lifted up his hand against King David. Give up him alone, and I will withdraw from the city.” And the woman said to Joab, “Behold, his head shall be thrown to you over the wall.”
2 Samuel 20:19-21
The Head – Evil v. Righteous
Now, obviously I would never support violence. These stories of physical war in the Old Testament could be reflections of the spiritual war we are experiencing right now as Christians. We are witnessing much rebellion and evil in our land. But despite that, we are to come together and raise our voices to proclaim the truth of God when we see injustice. We, as women, have the power to address the head of evil. We should come together to attack the enemy, who is at the head (behind the scenes), we should not be attacking one another.
We can come together to fight against evil, as we see many biblical women have done before us. We can also bless those who fight for righteousness. Let us not forget this beautiful scripture in Matthew 26, where yet again we see a woman referenced along with the head:
A woman came up to Him (Jesus) with an alabaster flask of very expensive ointment, and she poured it on His head as He reclined at table.
Matthew 26:7
Jesus honored the woman for anointing Him for burial and said her act should be remembered whenever we hear the gospel. Our actions are important and they are seen by our Lord and Savior.
God loves His people and He does not forget His promises. God loved His people so much that He gave them the promise land. Those who dwelled there, before then, were kicked out because of their wickedness. None of us can live up to the holiness of God, we all fall short. However, right now there is blatant disregard for the Word of God, and wickedness abounds. Our Savior sees all these things and we must stay humble and repentant before Him.
Do not say in your heart, after the Lord your God has thrust them out before you, ‘It is because of my righteousness that the Lord has brought me in to possess this land,’ whereas it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out before you.
Deuteronomy 9:4
Jesus Loves the Children
Many of the nations dwelling in the promise land that were kicked out or conquered by the Israelites, were sacrificing children to their gods (Leviticus 20, Jeremiah 19:4-6). An absolutely horrid act. Jesus loves the little children and the unborn. John even leaped in the womb of Elizabeth when she saw Mary who was pregnant with Jesus (Luke 1:41).
But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea.
Matthew 18:6
Notice the word millstone again that was referenced in Judges 9? This scripture about the little ones is listed in Mark 9:42 and also Luke 17:2. The little ones are important to God. If we do not protect them, we will have to answer to God. Millstone is also referenced in another verse in Revelation:
Then a mighty angel took up a stone like a great millstone and threw it into the sea, saying, “So will Babylon the great city be thrown down with violence, and will be found no more.”
Revelation. 18:21
As Christians, it matters what we allow and what we support in government. Have you noticed that we are being conditioned to accept violence, division and perversion on television, social media and now even in our schools. The enemy is after Christians, but he is especially after our children. We must stand for truth and for our children during this crucial time.
A Sinner Saved
I feel led to share that I am not here to judge. I am a sinner saved by Jesus Christ. I was rebellious and promiscuous before Jesus got ahold of my heart and showed me how much He loved me. I had a baby at 15 years old and had many rotten relationships before coming to Christ. I lived a dark life in the past. I used to drink too much and was a very prideful.
My excuse for drinking all the time, was that I was extremely sensitive to the world around me and I wanted to shut it out. But now, I understand that Jesus is Lord and He’s coming soon. I have been called by Him to warn others. He’s been patient and forgiving with me and He can do the same for you. I am called to warn you. Please turn to Jesus.
As women, we are known to be loving and kind. But that does not mean that we must compromise between right and wrong. We have all sinned, but we can all be saved.
The Lord has stirred me to speak for women in this article (and video). As you may have heard, recently a horrible abortion bill is being pushed through Colorado. I worry for those who supported this Bill. For me, this is one of the reasons I have been called to stand up. We know from scriptures that Jesus would not be okay with this Bill and therefore I must stand against it. What is He calling you to stand for at this time?
Be Strong and Courageous
I feel like the Lord is highlighting the children right now for a reason. If we, as mothers of the United States of America do not stand for the unborn, our children, for purity and truth, then we may greatly regret it. Let us not be caught off guard by the enemy’s tactics. The enemy loves confusion and deception and he also loves to cause fear and anxiety.
But we are Christian women! Be strong and courageous, get involved, come together, do not be afraid for the Lord your God is with you. Pray, stand before those who are using perversion and fear and twisting what is good and right. Be blessed this day and know that the Lord will help you.
Arise Christian Women!
As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.
Joshua 24:15
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