Who Would Be King?
"When Jotham was told about this, he climbed up on the top of Mount Gerizim and shouted to them, "listen to me, citizens of Shechem, so that God may listen to you. One day the trees went out to anoint a king for themselves. They said to the olive tree, 'Be our king.' But the olive tree answered, 'Should I give up my oil, by which both gods and humans are honored, to hold sway over the trees?' Mext, the trees said to the fig tree, 'Come and be our king.' But the fig tree replied, 'Should I give up my fruit, so good and sweet, to hold sway over the trees?' Then the trees said to the vine, 'Come and be our king.' But the vine answered, 'Should i give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?' Finally all the trees said to the thornbush, 'Come and be our king.' The thornbush said to the trees, 'If you really want to anoint me king over you, come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, then let fire come out of the thornbush and consume the cedars of Lebanon!'" Judges 9: 7-15
Rarely does the Bible tell parables as good as Aesop or Grimm. But this little gem, buried in the book of Judges, can compete.
Jotham, who tells the story, has narrowly escaped fratricide. His brother Abimelech has set himself up as king after slaughtering all of his brothers. Better one king than 70, the wiley Abimilech told the citizens of Shechen, and they agreed, and looked away.
But just because Abimilech proved craftier and mightier than his brothers does not mean he is the most fit to rule. The olive tree, the fig tree and the vine all have good and juicy treats to offer, but recognize that being king over all the trees means giving up their primary role of gladdening the hearts and filling the bellies of mortals and gods alike. They are not willing to elevate themselves and therefore get right in the sight lines of those who love to scapegoat leaders.
Too often, being king is such a thankless task that nobody with anything good and juicy to offer wants the job. And so the thornbush, which has not much to offer anybody except its misguided hubris, is elected.
Too often, good people fail to step up and speak up, to educate themselves and fight back in a sustained way against injustice. Misguided rulers and oppressive systems may "win the fight," but that doesn't mean they are in the right.
Who am I to be a leader? You might ask yourself. But don't sell yourself short. Those with the least ambition to rule often turn out to be the very best leaders: humble, sweet and cheering.
King of Kings, whatever gifts I have, whatever juice I produce, let it be put into the humble service of every last one of your children. Give me the courage to lead from in front, more of the time. Amen.
Molly Baskette is Senior Minister of First Church, UCC, in Somerville, Massachusetts.
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