The Destruction of Shechem
February 11, 2022
Commentary
The central theme of this event shows how the Lord dealt in history with those who dared to transgress His moral laws. Abimelech had made his home at a fortress five miles southeast of Shechem. He had put Zebul, one of his officials in charge of Shechem. A new leader by the name of Gaal had arrived on the scene to challenge the authority of Abimelech at Shechem. The men of the city were listening to Gaal who was poisoning their minds against Abimelech and making plans to take over his position.
Zebul was angry when he found out what Gaal was up to, so he sent some messengers to inform Abimelech of the rebellion (vv. 30-31). He not only warned of the potentially dangerous situation but urged a certain source of action, that would not allow Gaal to consolidate his position (vv. 32-33). Abimelech followed the advice of his deputy and sent his forces by night to avoid being detected. He divided them into four groups, and they all hid near the town (v. 34). The advantages of surprise and initiative lay with Abimelech, and Gaal and his supporters were chased from the city (vv. 35-41). The insurrection had been nipped in the bud by the prompt action of Zebul.
Application
What is my reaction when someone rises to challenge the authority of the person I am working for? Do I remain loyal to my employer, or do I join in the rebellion? I must remember that it is never right to do wrong to accomplish what I think is right.
Judges 9:30– 41 (NET)
30 When Zebul, the city commissioner, heard the words of Gaal son of Ebed, he was furious. 31 He sent messengers to Abimelech, who was in Arumah, reporting, “Beware! Gaal son of Ebed and his brothers are coming to Shechem and inciting the city to rebel against you. 32 Now, come up at night with your men and set an ambush in the field outside the city. 33 In the morning at sunrise quickly attack the city. When he and his men come out to fight you, do what you can to him.”
34 So Abimelech and all his men came up at night and set an ambush outside Shechem; they divided into four units. 35 When Gaal son of Ebed came out and stood at the entrance to the city’s gate, Abimelech and his men got up from their hiding places. 36 Gaal saw the men and said to Zebul, “Look, men are coming down from the tops of the hills.” But Zebul said to him, “You are seeing the shadows on the hills—it just looks like men.” 37 Gaal again said, “Look, men are coming down from the very center of the land. A unit is coming by way of the Oak Tree of the Diviners.” 38 Zebul said to him, “Where now are your bragging words, ‘Who is Abimelech that we should serve him?’ Are these not the men you insulted? Go out now and fight them!” 39 So Gaal led the leaders of Shechem out and fought Abimelech. 40 Abimelech chased him, and Gaal ran from him. Many Shechemites fell wounded at the entrance of the gate. 41 Abimelech went back to Arumah; Zebul drove Gaal and his brothers out of Shechem.
Illustration: A dad drives a nail in a post every time his son rebels
Someone tells the story of a boy who was rebelling against his dad constantly. This boy was destroying his own life by his rebellion, but he refused to heed his father’s words. One day, the dad said to the boy, “I want to show you what you’re doing to your life. I’m going to put a wooden post in our front yard. Every time you rebel, I will put a nail in this post. Every time you obey, I will pull out one nail.” The first thought from the boy was, “I’m going to do everything I can to fill that post with nails.” And he did. In two months’ time, he filled that post with nails. But he also began to feel the damage he was doing to his own life and to his parents’ lives. With true remorse, the boy began to obey his father. One by one, the nails came out. When the last nail came out of the post, the boy broke down in tears. The dad asked, “Son, why are you crying?” And the boy replied, “I got rid of the nails, but I can’t get rid of the holes.” (Dana Chau – Sermon Central).