Day 152..."Talking Trees and a ruthless leader...A great New Year's Message!"

Abimelech rose to power, through ruthlessly killing his brothers, and started a series of battles. He prevailed for three years. There is a metaphor of talking trees to set the stage for his ouster. Abimelech had command over aggressive troops. He survived by planning ambushes and ironically it was one woman with a millstone that brought him down. In embarrassment, he demanded to be killed by a soilder instead. Various leaders follow Abimelech and God's patience is tested as the people of Israel again fall away. Faithfulness and discipline stand out in chapter five of Proverbs. The clincher comes in the final verse.."He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray." Life which is faithful brings life and unfaithfulness will lead to destruction. John the Baptist knows his role and says simply...
"He must increase, but I must decrease.” This is a great message four days into 2007!