We must do faithfully our duty.

[The Four Stages Storytelling Sermon: Proposition-Problem analysis-Gospel presentation-Consequence]

Judges 9:7-15 (Summary)

We must do faithfully our duty.

 

A. We must live a virtuous life.

{The olive tree answered them, ‘Shall I stop producing my rich oil by which gods and mortals are honored, and go to sway over the trees?’}(Verse 9).

This is the parable of the trees to the people of Shechem by Jothan. One day the trees asked the olive tree to become our king. The olive tree answered them, “Shall I stop producing my rich oil by which gods and mortals are honored, and go to sway over the trees?” That means to keep his duty. It is the duty of everyone to lift up God and to benefit people. In a word, this is to build virtue.

 

B. Don't forget our duty.

{The bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’}(Verse 15)

Olives, figs, and vines replied that they would stick to their duty when asked to become kings. On the other hand, bramble come to the same request. “Come and take refuge in my shade, but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.” He is speaking out without knowing his place. This is an expression of how foolish it is to have Abimelech king. Olive trees, fig trees, and grapes serve people with fruit. But brambles are not very helpful to people. Nevertheless, it is shameful to brag as if it were anything to encourage people.

 

C. We must do faithfully our duty.

{The fig tree answered them, ‘Shall I stop producing my sweetness and my delicious fruit, and go to sway over the trees?}(Verse 11).

The olive tree responded by saying that it would defend its duty to provide precious oil. The fig tree will continue to produce good sweet fruit. The vine also pledged not to give up its duty to provide wine that delights people. All three trees answered, “Shall I stop?” show a firm will not give up their duty. Broadly speaking, you have a unique vocation from God, a duty to perform in your profession, and a role to play in your home. To fulfill one's calling, to fulfill one's social part, to keep one's place in the household, is the way to build the kingdom of God.

 

D. The people who are faithful to their duties build virtue.

{The vine said to them, ‘Shall I stop producing my wine that cheers gods and mortals, and go to sway over the trees?’(Verse 13).

Abimelech, like bramble, shouted without knowing his place and died a miserable death. The life of greed and evil for people ends in destruction (Proverbs 11:27). If we fail to build virtue, it will cause concern to the people around us and leave scars. Only when we are faithful to our duty makes virtue. Jesus built up the virtues to lift up God and people. We must also follow the Lord's example and build up our virtue.

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Text

Judges 9:7-15

The Parable of the Trees (NRSV)

7  When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on the top of Mount Gerizim, and cried aloud and said to them, “Listen to me, you lords of Shechem, so that God may listen to you.

8  The trees once went out to anoint a king over themselves. So they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’

9  The olive tree answered them, ‘Shall I stop producing my rich oil by which gods and mortals are honored, and go to sway over the trees?’

10  Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us.’

11  But the fig tree answered them, ‘Shall I stop producing my sweetness and my delicious fruit, and go to sway over the trees?’

12  Then the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us.’

13  But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I stop producing my wine that cheers gods and mortals, and go to sway over the trees?’

14  So all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’

15  And the bramble said to the trees, ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you, then come and take refuge in my shade; but if not, let fire come out of the bramble and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’