A helpful present application to a story from the distant past.
The variety of gifts in the Church is in itself a forcible reminder of the indispensability of any member. All are essential to the well-being of the whole. Since all are unique, it also follows that the work given to one cannot be properly performed by another. Each is specially gifted for a particular service. This is clearly illustrated in Jotham’s parable in Judges 9.
On the death of Gideon, his son Abimelech slew all Gideon’s sons with the exception of Jotham, and presented himself as king at Shechem. As the people were in the act of acknowledging the usurper as king, Jotham stood on Mt. Gerizim and contemptuously described the new rule in a remarkable parable.
The trees of the field, he declared, sought a ruler; the olive, fig and vine trees rejected the offer, but the bramble, of little note or worth, accepted and was ultimately the cause of the destruction of even the cedars of Lebanon.
Beyond the obvious application of the fable, there is undoubtedly a deep spiritual significance. As one writer points out, there is at least a twofold lesson: first, “contentment with our providentially appointed lot,” and second, “providential adaptation to our sphere and work.”
Each of the trees mentioned by Jotham possessed a unique quality, peculiar to itself alone. Deprived of that quality, it would be worthless. Yet the offer of regal power really resolved itself into a surrender of the natural gift for the instability of the place of supremacy (the word translated “promoted” means literally “wander” or “stagger”). For this, none of the trees was willing, with the exception of the bramble, which had no useful purpose to fulfill.
THE REQUEST TO THE TREES
The olive tree was unwilling to leave its fatness or oil (a type of the Holy Spirit). Its oil was an essential part of the meal-offering (the beautiful figure of the Spirit-controlled life of Christ), and was found in the temple lampstands (suggesting that testimony also is dependent on the indwelling Spirit). Its oil made man’s “face to shine,” an indication of spiritual joy and happiness. Its fruit formed the dish of the noble, as the Spirit’s fruit still brings delight to the heart of God and His people. That such service to man should be sacrificed for the empty glory of ruler was impossible and the olive tree refused. Well may the child of God spurn the empty glories and honors of life, and prefer development of spirituality and the production of spiritual fruit.
The fig tree was equally reluctant. Its sweetness and its luscious fruit were of far greater value to man than the proffered honor. The sweet life and the fruitfulness of the Christian are also of greater value to God than an inept attempt to occupy a place of authority.
An appeal to the vine again proved unsuccessful. With its rich clusters of fruit (an apt picture of the fruitful evangelist), the vine brought cheer to the world, and its wine brought gladness to God and man. Without its fruit, the figurative joy of the drink-offering would have been lost. Without power or strength, it twined round others for support, but its fruit could not be replaced by anything else.
THE ONE THAT ACCEPTED
The fruit-bearing trees having refused, the only plant which would reply favorably to the appeal was the bramble, and this miserable tree invited the others to shelter in its shadow, despite the fact that it was well nigh without a shadow. Its thorns tore and lacerated the flesh, and were a menace to all. Its virtues were non-existent. Useless for oil, sweetness, or fruit, its loss affected no man. Yet its exalted position was a potential danger, for it threatened to devour the glorious cedars of Lebanon, just as the worthless Abimelech’s ambition threatened to engulf nobler men in its destruction.
It is difficult sometimes for the Christian, in a comparatively unimportant position, not to feel envious of another who is more popular and apparently more honored. But external glory matters little, so long as we are in the right position and exercising the gift God has given us.