Scottsbluff Church of Christ
October 10, 2020
Proverbs 16:18-22 ESV
The Unknowns
The Thornbush and the Unknowns (Judges 9)
The Thornbush and the Unknowns (Judges 9)
The self-appointed judge: Abimelech
Gideon's son via concubine
An example of those who seek their own agenda
The Thornbush and the Unknowns (Judges 9)
Sinful ambition unleashed (9:1-6)
Conspires with his family
Murders his half-brothers
Self-appointed "Judge" or "King"
Judges 9:1-6 ESV
The Thornbush and the Unknowns (Judges 9)
Sinful ambition exposed (9:7-21)
Parable by Jotham
Judges 9:7-21 ESV
The Thornbush and the Unknowns (Judges 9)
We may be incapable of making change, but we are capable of calling out sin and divisiveness.
Titus 3:10-11
Titus 3:10-11 ESV
The Thornbush and the Unknowns (Judges 9)
Sinful ambition thwarted (9:22-29)
Shechem
Gaal
When people causes chaos, chaos will result
Judges 9:22-29 ESV
The Thornbush and the Unknowns (Judges 9)
Sinful ambition punished (9:30-55)
Judgment day on Gaal
Judgment day on Shechecm
Judgement day for the leaders
Judgment day for Abimelech
Judges 9:30-55 ESV
The Thornbush and the Unknowns (Judges 9)
A prophetic explanation
Paul says we need to be imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1-2; 1Corinthians 11:1)
Love, empathy, concern, forgiving
Interest in the congregation ahead of their own
Ephesians 5:1-2 ESV
1 Corinthians 11:1 ESV
The Thornbush and the Unknowns (Judges 9)
The unknown judges
Tola (10:1-2)
Jair (10:3-5)
Ibzan (12:6-10)
Elon (12:11)
Abdon (12:13-15)
The Thornbush and the Unknowns (Judges 9)
Many unknowns in the Bible as examples
unknown woman anointing Jesus
Joseph of Arimathea
Epaphroditus
Epaphras
The Thornbush and the Unknowns (Judges 9)
You don't need...
A title
A name
A Biblical education
Status...
To do bight things for God
The Thornbush and the Unknowns (Judges 9)
Abimelech
Made a wreck of himself and others
Selfish motivations and ambitions
Desired accolades
The Five Judges
quiet
more concerned of what God things than others
Don't need to be recognized