March 27 - Parable of Trees

Parable of the Trees (Judges 9:7-15)

But the fig tree said to them,
‘Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit,
And go to sway over trees?’

 This parable cracked me up and terrified me. The book of Judges is all about the time of Israel before kings and it’s kind of a hot mess (not that it gets much better with kings). After a particularly messy scattering of the people, the story is told about the trees fighting over who has to be in charge of the people. Each tree sees itself as too busy or important so it is the bramble that finally concedes to rule over people. The one tree with nasty thorns and messy berries promises to shade the people. Hmm. It doesn’t work out.

What does it mean to be a leader? And what does it mean to feel too busy to lift others up? 

 Gracious God, lift up leaders who are humble, available, and willing to gather your people in justice and truth. Amen. 

Link to Bible verses: Judges 9