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2021-04-29 Abimelech's “way”

There is a way which seems right to a man,

but in the end it leads to death.

Prov 14:12

Then God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech, that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and that their blood might be laid on Abimelech their brother who killed them, and on the men of Shechem who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.

Judges 9:23-24

A certain woman cast an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head, and broke his skull. Then he called hastily to the young man, his armor bearer, and said to him, “Draw your sword and kill me, that men not say of me, ‘A woman killed him.’ His young man thrust him through, and he died.” When the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they each departed to his place. Thus God repaid the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did to his father in killing his seventy brothers; and God repaid all the wickedness of the men of Shechem on their heads; and the curse of Jotham the son of Jerubbaal came on them.

Judges 9:53-57

Abimelech's ‘way’ was murdering his brothers. God, after 3 years, brought him to justice (see Genesis 9:6). How much different is our way? Jesus says that even by calling your brother by a spiteful name, you're in danger of hellfire (Matthew 5:22).

But if we walk in the light as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son, cleanses us from all sin.

1 John 1:7

Walk in the light: God's way, not your way. Only His blood can cleanse you from sin.