Many say that the first parable in the Bible is found in Judges 9:7-15. Some say it is a fable, but I’m not smart enough to know the difference, so I’ll call it a parable. It was given by a man named Jotham. He was the only survivor from a family of seventy sons. The others were killed by their half-brother Abimelech. 

Abimelech killed the sixty-nine men so he could become king of the area around the town of Shechem. He murdered his relatives because they were a threat to his desire to be in charge. The men of Shechem were co-conspirators with Abimelech. 

Jotham shouted out this parable from a nearby mountain outside the city. He used the illustration of three trees—the olive tree, the fig tree, and a vine—to describe three useful plants that wanted to help people. The other trees wanted a tree to rule over them, but these three refused because they were more interested in producing useful things. 

So, the other trees went to a worthless bramble bush. This bush provided nothing of value. In fact, in a brush fire, it only added fuel to the flame. In the parable, the bush bragged of the benefits it could provide. It gladly accepted the offer of being king of the trees. 

The basic meaning of the parable was clear enough. The people of Shechem had not chosen a leader who was productive and who wanted what was best for the city. Instead, they chose a worthless, murderous man named Abimelech. Their choice would ultimately lead to the destruction of the town and their chosen king.  

A direct application of the parable for God’s people in any age is that the selection of those whom we place in positions of authority is of great importance. Carnal men, even carnal believers, will want to assume positions of leadership in the church because of the potential benefits to themselves. They are not concerned with the well-being of the church members. Being a leader, deacon, or pastor feeds their egos. 

Having leaders like that will lead to disaster.  

The Lord taught that those who are examples among believers are those who serve others, not those who look out for their own interests (Mark 10:45). Peter followed that teaching when he taught that elders within a church should set the example by serving others, not themselves (1 Pet 5:1-4). 

Abimelech was somebody who served himself, not others. If we apply the parable of Jotham a little further, we could add something about the useful trees. They did not seek the office of king, but they would surely have been better for the people of Shechem than Abimelech turned out to be. 

Perhaps the first quality of a leader in the church would be that he does not actively campaign for the position. However, his usefulness and value will become evident. His desire for what is good for others will be seen. When we see somebody like that, we should encourage them to take a more active role in being an example for others. People like Abimelech should be discouraged from pursuing their selfish desires. Instead, they need to mature spiritually. That would be better for everyone involved.