After Three Years

Judges 9:22-24 (NIV) – 22 After Abimelek had governed Israel three years, 23 God stirred up animosity between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem so that they acted treacherously against Abimelek. 24 God did this in order that the crime against Jerub-Baal’s seventy sons, the shedding of their blood, might be avenged on their brother Abimelek and on the citizens of Shechem, who had helped him murder his brothers.

Abimeleck killed his brothers, seventy of his brothers in order to be a ruler. The people of Schechem supported him for killing his brothers. Jotham the only brother who escaped warned Abimeleck and people of Shechem that if they didn’t act in good faith, God will punish them.

Judges 9:19-20 (NIV) – 19 So have you acted honorably and in good faith toward Jerub-Baal and his family today? If you have, may Abimelek be your joy, and may you be his, too! 20 But if you have not, let fire come out from Abimelek and consume you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and let fire come out from you, the citizens of Shechem and Beth Millo, and consume Abimelek!”

Jotham told them that Abimeleck will turn around and harm the people of Shechem who supported him. Jotham also told them that the people of Shechem will revolt against Abimeleck. The current cordial relationship will turn to be hostility against each other. If they didn’t act in good faith.

The words of Jotham were quickly forgotten. The killed seventy brothers were quickly forgotten. Life was at its best. It actually seemed that the means had justified the end. Abimeleck and the people of Shechem looked back and were satisfied with their actions. They were living in peace and prosperity. The words of Jotham were wishes of a bitter soul who didn’t get power and they meant nothing.

Abimeleck and Shechem enjoyed first year of peace and prosperity. Second year of peace and prosperity. Any external observer would quickly conclude that a God who allowed this is a bloody unfair God. How does God prosper and give peace to a murderer and his accomplices?

Judges 9:22-23 (NIV) – 22 After Abimelek had governed Israel three years, 23 God stirred up animosity between Abimelek and the citizens of Shechem…

After three years God acted to fulfill His word through Jotham. After three years God caused Abimeleck to hate and turn against the people of Schechem. After three years God caused the people of Shechem to hate Abimeleck and turn against him. After three years justice for the murdered seventy brothers was served.

After three years the seemingly quiet God spoke. After three years God who seemed like He doesn’t care now proved that He cares. After three years the prayers of the fearful families of the murdered brothers were answered. After three years!

After three years Abimeleck killed the people of Shechem who had supported him directly and indirectly to kill his brothers. After three years the people of Shechem killed Abimeleck as he fought against them. A woman threw a millstone and injured him, then he asked a soldier to kill him. After three years justice was done. After three years the prophecy of Jotham was fulfilled. After three years!

Judges 9:56-57 (NIV) – 56 Thus God repaid the wickedness that Abimelek had done to his father by murdering his seventy brothers. 57 God also made the people of Shechem pay for all their wickedness. The curse of Jotham son of Jerub-Baal came on them.

Justice delayed is justice denied. God owns and manages time. With God there is no delay. God never delays. God acts at the right time which for us may seem like a delay. After three years the God given time for Abimeleck and the people of Shechem to repent elapsed and it was now the right time for justice to be served. God never delays justice. After three years He will act.

The three years may be symbolic or literal, but after three years God will grant justice. After three years the untouchable powerful boss will be touched. After three years the powerful terrifying schemer will lose power. After three years the intimidating spouse, parent, children, relatives, neighbors and colleagues will be intimidated. After three years!

After three years the tears you have shed will be paid for by God and your tormentors will be punished. After three years the tears you have caused others to shed, are the tears you will shed. After three years all the ignored crimes and evils will be revisited. After three years!

Before the three years elapse, please repent. Before the three years elapse persevere. May after the three years be a better time for us. In Jesus name, Amen!

SHARE THIS ARTICLE RIGHT NOW. Someone you know will only know about this article if you share with them. Someone you know needs this article. Share this with one more person. Don’t copy the text. Copy THE LINK or send the website address which is reikesis.com so that they too read the word of God FROM THE WEBSITE and access more. YOU CAN COMMENT on this article at the bottom of the article. Also remember this author has a YouTube channel @ReiKesis which has hundreds of videos for you! Thanks for your loyal support of this ministry!