Reading for December 25th

 Read Judges 9.22--33. In 9.22-33: The plot against Abimelech. In verse 23: An evil spirit creates a relationship of mutual distrust (1 Sam 16.14). In verse 24: Israel believed that evil deeds spontaneously brought on their own appropriate penalty. Violence brought on their own appropriate penalty. Violence and blood (bloodshed) would naturally rebound on the culprits. In verse 25: A breakdown in civil order (compare 5.6) undermines Abimelech's authority and diminishes the collection of royal tolls. In     verse26: Gaal and his relatives relocate to Shechem, but his nationalistic rhetoric (vv. 28-29) indicates that he has ethnic ties there. In verse 27: Talk would be loose and emotions would run high at this celebration of the wine harvest. In verse28: Gaal's argument appeals to ethnic pride: Abimelech is an upstart outsider. Both Jerubbaal and Zebul (Abimelech's deputy, v. 30) once served the authentic native leadership of Shechem, the men Hamor. Hamor was a renowned character for Shechem's past (Gen 33.19). In verse 33: Zebul intends to make sure that Gaal and his troops come out against Abimelech (v. 38). Comments or Questions..