I read Judges 9 this morning and I have to admit, it was kind of challenging to keep up with “who’s who in the zoo.” And what a zoo it is . . . selfish ambition, mass murder, arrogance, treachery, spying, war, thousands of “innocent lives” lost, unexpected “twists of fate.” Kind of depressing actually.

It all centers around Abimelech, one of the sons of Gideon (also known as Jerubbaal). Basically, after Gideon dies, one of his sons by one of his wives, plots to set himself up as de facto ruler in Israel. How? . . . by plotting and conspiring with his family on his mother’s side, the people of Shechem, to kill the other 70 sons born to Gideon through Gideon’s various relationships — brother!! This is how the chapter starts and it just goes downhill from there.

Eventually though the men of Shechem turn on Abimelech as they decide to follow Gaal son of Ebed. Eventually Gaal and Abimelech end up in battle . . . Abimelech killing thousands of men and women in the city of Shechem . . . and then, he and his men set upon a tower in which people have taken refuge . . . and as he approaches it to set fire to the door, a woman drops an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushes his skull mortally wounding him. And, lest it be said that Abimelech was killed by a woman, he calls to his armor bearer to draw his sword and kill him. Crazy!!! What a messed up, downer type of story!

And I can’t help but think though, that it’s not entirely unlike a lot of crazy, messed up stories happening throughout this world today, reported on my news channel every night.

But at the center of this dysfunctional account you read this . . .

Abimelech ruled over Israel three years. And God sent an evil spirit between Abimelech and the leaders of Shechem, and the leaders of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech, that the violence done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might come, and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who strengthened his hands to kill his brothers.   (Judges 9:22-24 ESV)

After Abimelech conspired with the people of Shechem to murder his 70 step-brothers, God stirred up the situation between Abimelech and the people of Shechem as a consequence and judgment for their sin . . . “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

And I’m reminded this morning that my God is not silent but sovereign . . . that God’s hand is not absent from the affairs of this world but intimately involved. I’m not saying that every tragic situation or war or disaster is God’s doing . . . just as in the murder of the 70 sons of Gideon, man is quite capable of drumming up enough trouble on his own. But, I do believe that God is working behind the scenes in the affairs of men . . . that there are things going on behind the scenes which I know nothing about . . . matters of vengeance and justice . . . and of grace and redemption . . . woven into the fabric of history . . . sourced in the character and purposes of God . . . playing out on the world’s stage every day. And though I don’t know where or when or how or why . . . it is enough to know that He is God and that He is ultimately . . . and actively . . . in control.

And in that knowledge, there is a hope . . . and there is a peace. An assurance that the purposes of God will prevail . . . a resting comfort that the promises of God will be fulfilled . . . even as He works behind the scenes.