Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Daniel Fortney from Sidney, OH.
Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23.
This one’s for you.

Our text today is Judges 9:7-15.

When it was told to Jotham, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim and cried aloud and said to them, “Listen to me, you leaders of Shechem, that God may listen to you. The trees once went out to anoint a king over them, and they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us.’ But the olive tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my abundance, by which gods and men are honored, and go hold sway over the trees?’ And the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us.’ But the fig tree said to them, ‘Shall I leave my sweetness and my good fruit and go hold sway over the trees?’ And the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us.’ But the vine said to them, ‘Shall I leave my wine that cheers God and men and go hold sway over the trees?’ Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us.’ 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.’” — Judges 9:7-15

After Abimelech slaughters his brothers and assumes control over the people, only one surviving son remains—Jotham. He climbs Mount Gerizim, a place where blessings and curses were once pronounced over Israel (see Deuteronomy 27), and delivers the only parable in the book of Judges.

The meaning is straightforward: the noble trees (the olive, fig, and vine) refuse the offer of kingship because they are already fruitful and serve one another. However, the bramble—a thorn bush that bears no fruit, provides no shade, and only has thorns—accepts kingship. It offers “refuge,” but brambles cannot provide shade. Instead, they spread fire and destruction.

Jotham’s exhortation serves as a sharp condemnation: Abimelech is the bramble. He acts as a leader and seizes power, but he is devoid of fruit, shade, and life. If Israel chooses him, they will ultimately suffer the consequences—pain, fire, and ruin.

Jotham’s parable warns us about the nature of choosing and listening to the wrong leaders. Godly leaders are like fruitful trees—they serve, give, and bless. Ungodly leaders resemble brambles—they take, harm, and burn.

The tragedy is that people often prefer brambles and ignore the voice of reason. In our cities, churches, and communities, we still choose leaders and listen to leaders who are like brambles. Why? Because they promise quick refuge, flashy results, or false unity. However, in the end, they leave destruction, hardship, and lasting scars on individuals and communities.

The temptation for quick and flashy results persists today — in politics, business, the church, and even within families. Therefore, the critical question we need to ask when considering our leaders is not, “Who appears powerful?” or “Who promises impressive results?” but rather, “Who is producing real fruit right now?” The person who demonstrates genuine fruitfulness now is likely to continue doing so in the future and will probably be the wiser choice. So choose your leaders wisely!

ASK THIS:

1. Who are the “brambles” in my life that promise more than they deliver?
2. Do I look for fruitfulness or flashiness in leaders I follow?
3. How do I lead—like a tree that blesses or a bramble that burns?
4. Where might God be warning me through a voice I don’t want to hear?

DO THIS:

Examine one leader you’re following today—whether at work, in church, or online. Ask: do they bear fruit, or just offer thorns? Adjust who you trust accordingly.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, give me discernment to follow leaders who bear godly fruit, and make me a leader who serves others instead of using them. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Spirit Lead Me."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today’s shout-out goes to Anthony Cuffia from Huntington Beach, CA.
Thank you for your partnership with us through Project23.
This one’s for you.

Our text today is Judges 9:1–6.

Now Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s relatives and said to them and to the whole clan of his mother’s family, “Say in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal rule over you, or that one rule over you? Remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.’” And his mother’s relatives spoke all these words on his behalf in the ears of all the leaders of Shechem, and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.” And they gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal-berith with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless fellows, who followed him. And he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers the sons of Jerubbaal, seventy men, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, for he hid himself. And all the leaders of Shechem came together, and all Beth-millo, and they went and made Abimelech king, by the oak of the pillar at Shechem. — Judges 9:1-6

Abimelech is the son of Gideon and his mistress from the neighboring town of Shechem. His name means "my father is king," a constant reminder of his desire to seize kingship for himself. Parents, remember that names carry significant power and influence on our children's lives; they hear these names reinforced every day.

After Gideon's death, Abimelech sought to claim the kingship for himself. He engaged in political maneuvering, appealing to his relatives in Shechem. He manipulated family loyalty, secured funding from Baal's temple, and hired mercenaries. With ruthless precision, he slaughtered his seventy brothers—Gideon’s sons—in one location, leaving only one survivor, Jotham.

Abimelech crowned himself king, not through God's calling but through murder and ambition. What began as a desire for power ended in a massacre.

Ambition, in itself, isn't inherently evil; there is such a thing as good and godly ambition. God encourages us to strive for His ambitions derived from righteous desires. However, when ambition is disconnected from God and His character, it becomes toxic. It leads us to cut corners, exploit others, and justify sin in the name of "getting ahead."

Abimelech exemplifies what occurs when a leader seeks power, control, and wealth without consulting God. While they may achieve some measure of power, control, and riches, they ultimately lose everything of true value. Their ambition also poisons those around them, including family, friends, and the entire nation.

This threat exists within all of us. Our ambition can easily turn toxic. Whether it involves climbing the corporate ladder, seeking approval from a family member, or pursuing online influence, we might feel tempted to pursue power without first asking if God wants us in that position.

Take a moment today to identify one area where your ambition may be distancing you from God. It might be subtle—so subtle that you may not even notice it. Journal about this realization, surrender it to God, and ask Him to purify your motives before your ambition becomes toxic.

ASK THIS:

1. Where has ambition in my life slipped from God’s calling into self-serving?
2. Have I been tempted to justify compromise to get ahead?
3. How do I define success—by achievement or by obedience?
4. What would it look like for me to trust God with my future instead of forcing it?

DO THIS:

Pause today and name one area where ambition has been driving you more than obedience. Surrender it to God in prayer, asking Him to purify your motives.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, I don’t want ambition without You. Purify my heart so my drive to succeed is always rooted in faith, humility, and obedience. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Build My Life."

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Check out our mission to teach every verse of the Bible on video in what we call Project23.

Our text today is Judges 8:33-35.

As soon as Gideon died, the people of Israel turned again and whored after the Baals and made Baal-berith their god. And the people of Israel did not remember the LORD their God, who had delivered them from the hand of all their enemies on every side, and they did not show steadfast love to the family of Jerubbaal (that is, Gideon) in return for all the good that he had done to Israel. — Judges 8:33-35

The irony here is sharp. Gideon was nicknamed Jerubbaal—“let Baal contend against him”—after tearing down Baal’s altar in his father’s yard. His name became a living testimony against false gods.

But the moment Gideon dies, Israel runs back to Baal. They don’t remember the LORD who rescued them. They don’t honor the family of Jerubbaal. They return to Baal again.

It’s a tragic picture: a man once known for defying idols leaves behind a people enslaved to them again. Gideon’s personal victories didn’t guarantee generational faith. His success could not secure succession.

Faith is not inherited like money in a will. Every generation must choose God for themselves.

But what you build—and what you hand off—matters. Gideon’s life teaches us that tearing down idols once isn’t enough. You must raise up others who will keep tearing them down long after you’re gone.

This is why your legacy isn’t defined by your wins in the present but by the disciples you prepare for the future. Your true legacy isn’t your success—it’s your succession.

ASK THIS:

1. What will people remember when my name is spoken?
2. Am I modeling a faith that will outlast me?
3. Where could idolatry creep back in if I’m no longer around?
4. Who am I discipling so the faith doesn’t end with me?

DO THIS:

Share with someone younger in the faith one story of how God tore down an “idol” in your life. Invite them to tell theirs—and keep the fight alive.

PRAY THIS:

Lord, let my life testify against the idols of this age. And let my legacy not die with me, but live on through those I hand faith to. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

"Worthy of It All."