Judg 9:14 | KingComments | STEP | Then the ‘real’ ruler comes forward. The trees that are on their way to anoint a king over them ( ) have in vain appealed to the olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine. And, very curiously, the result is not that they wonder if they are doing a good job, but they continue their search. They don’t go back to their own place to bear their own fruit. They are discontented with their place in the forest and remain so. If none of the real candidates is prepared to become king, they will just ask someone they did not initially think of, but who certainly wants to rule. In we read something that is not mentioned the other times, namely that the request comes from “all the trees”. It seems as if all the rejections have only strengthened the craving for a leader. They must and will have someone who rules over them. This is an ideal starting point for the bramble or thorn bush. A bramble appeals to the imagination of anyone who has ever come into contact with it. You can only expect pain from a bramble. The bramble or thorn bush does not talk about fruit, but about shade – as if a bramble or thornbush can provide protection against the burning sun – and fire. If you lie under a bramble, you can only get scratches and pain. Thorns are a direct consequence of sin ( ). Those who resort to sinful means to satisfy their own desires can only expect destruction. The bramble or thorn bush represents the curse as a result of the sin that takes shape in a man who seeks himself. A compromise is not possible. It is bending or perishing. This is proven in the rest of this chapter. Whoever wants to be of importance among the brethren only proves that he is a bramble.

‏ Judges 9:14

The Bramble

Then the ‘real’ ruler comes forward. The trees that are on their way to anoint a king over them (Jdg 9:8) have in vain appealed to the olive tree, the fig tree, and the vine. And, very curiously, the result is not that they wonder if they are doing a good job, but they continue their search. They don’t go back to their own place to bear their own fruit. They are discontented with their place in the forest and remain so. If none of the real candidates is prepared to become king, they will just ask someone they did not initially think of, but who certainly wants to rule.

In Jdg 9:14 we read something that is not mentioned the other times, namely that the request comes from “all the trees”. It seems as if all the rejections have only strengthened the craving for a leader. They must and will have someone who rules over them. This is an ideal starting point for the bramble or thorn bush.

A bramble appeals to the imagination of anyone who has ever come into contact with it. You can only expect pain from a bramble. The bramble or thorn bush does not talk about fruit, but about shade – as if a bramble or thornbush can provide protection against the burning sun – and fire. If you lie under a bramble, you can only get scratches and pain.

Thorns are a direct consequence of sin (Gen 3:18). Those who resort to sinful means to satisfy their own desires can only expect destruction. The bramble or thorn bush represents the curse as a result of the sin that takes shape in a man who seeks himself. A compromise is not possible. It is bending or perishing. This is proven in the rest of this chapter. Whoever wants to be of importance among the brethren only proves that he is a bramble.