IMPOSTER by Dr. Shah, Clearview Church, Henderson, NC
Introduction: Two weeks ago, about 45 of us took a 2-day tour to our nation’s capital, primarily to visit The Bible Museum but also to take a quick tour of the major monuments and memorials on the National Mall. We didn’t have the time to really walk through each of them, but we did get a chance to see them: the U.S. Capitol, the Washington Monument, the World War 2 Memorial, and the Lincoln Memorial, from a distance. Some sites we only saw from the bus, as our bus driver took us up and down on Constitution Avenue and Independence Avenue: the Korean War Memorial, the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, etc. I’ve been there a number of times, and I’m always struck by the beauty, grandeur, and the foundational values of our nation – faith, freedom, family, hard work, property ownership, financial cautiousness, right to defend, world leadership, civic duty, value of life, care for the poor, justice for the victim, and self-sacrifice (based on the research by Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University). Unfortunately, those values are being actively eroded, and the imposters are promising a different America. We have to wake up and realize what is at stake. Today’s message in our series through the book of Judges is titled “IMPOSTER.” Main Point: We are living in a time when the wicked are doing everything possible to gain power and spread their wicked agenda. Those who stand for biblical values are accused of being Christian nationalists. As Christians keep backing away or remaining silent, the imposters keep marching on and gaining more ground. It’s high time that we stand for the truth. At stake are our foundational values and the future of our nation. Ultimately, God will deal with the wicked and his truth will prevail.
Judges 9 1 Then Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem, to his mother’s brothers, and spoke with them and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying, 2 “Please speak in the hearing of all the men of Shechem: ‘Which is better for you, that all seventy of the sons of Jerubbaal reign over you, or that one reign over you?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and bone.” 3 And his mother’s brothers spoke all these words concerning him in the hearing of all the men of Shechem; and their heart was inclined to follow Abimelech, for they said, “He is our brother.” 4 So they gave him seventy shekels of silver from the temple of Baal-Berith, with which Abimelech hired worthless and reckless men; and they followed him. 5 Then he went to his father’s house at Ophrah and killed his brothers, the seventy sons of Jerubbaal, on one stone. But Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left, because he hid himself. 6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, all of Beth Millo, and they went and made Abimelech king beside the terebinth tree at the pillar that was in Shechem.
Context: After building the ephod (the High Priest’s garment, representing the presence of God), Gideon lived for 40 more years, and for those 40 years, there was peace in the land of Israel. Then, it says in Judges 8 30 “Gideon had seventy sons who were his own offspring, for he had many wives. 31 And his concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, whose name he called Abimelech.” I know some of you are thinking – “Dr. Shah/Pastor Shah, you told us that the judges were the good guys. You told us that according to the book of Hebrews, they ‘obtained a good testimony through faith.’ How can Gideon be a good guy and have a good testimony through faith if he had multiple wives and a concubine?” Read the next verse – Judges 8:32 “Now Gideon the son of Joash died at a good old age, and was buried in the tomb of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites.” Good old age = be sayba tov, “with good gray hair.” The same construction occurs 2 other times in the Bible: Abraham (Genesis 25:8) was 175 years old when he died and David (1 Chronicles 29:28) was 70-80 years old) when he died. This would show that Gideon was probably somewhere in the middle, 80-100 years old, when he died. This would show that Gideon was probably around 40 or more before God called him to be a judge. I would argue that his many wives and concubines were from the period before God got hold of his life. By the way, the name “Abimelech” = “My father is king.” Gideon, the one whom the Holy Spirit put on, would never name his son that. In fact, he told the people who wanted to make him their king in Judges 8:23 “…I will not rule over you, nor shall my son rule over you; the LORD shall rule over you.” This was from his previous life when he may have had such ambitions.
Application: Some of you came to Christ at a later point in your life. You can see a marked difference in your life before Christ and after Christ, especially in how you raised your kids. I’ve had conversations with couples who have said to me – “We didn’t know any better. If we could go back, we would, but we can’t.” You cannot undo your past. Don’t let Satan guilt you in trying that. You can only choose a different path in the present. Pray for your children now. Set a better example now. Trust God’s promises.
Unfortunately, Gideon’s son through the concubine in Shechem hatched a wicked scheme to become the king of Israel. He went to his uncles (from his mother’s, the concubine, side) and also to his mother’s family and asked them to meet with the leaders of the city of Shechem, where he lived, and make a proposition to them – “Now that Jerubbaal (Baal fighter) is dead, his 70 sons are going to rule over you. Imagine how bad that will be. They will try to shove their faith in Yahweh down your throat. But, you have me. I’m also related to Jerubbaal, he’s my father too. Plus, I am related to you guys as well, since we’re all from Shechem. How about making me king? Then, you can have a king from your own house. That’s a win-win!” They loved his plan, and they even sponsored him by giving him 70 pieces of silver from the temple of Baal. In other words, Abimelech didn’t even have the money for his campaign. Never forget: Imposters will use every means to consolidate power. They will lie and manipulate the media to craft out a narrative that will breed fear and hatred. They will tell you how much they are just like you and how much they understand you. “Hand me your liberties, and I promise you equality.” In truth, Equality is the outcome of Liberty. Any society that is taking away Liberty is simultaneously causing Inequality. Every generation must fight for Liberty, and ours is no different; and in the process, we will find equality, dignity, and opportunity for all. Then, they will try to slander anyone who stands in the way. The new narrative against Christians is that we are trying to bring “Christian Nationalism” into the government.
Let me pause here and address this accusation of “Christian Nationalism.” Someone accused me of that recently, and it was a little shocking. What is “Christian Nationalism?” In a book titled Taking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States, the authors Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry define Christian Nationalism as an ideology that tries to superimpose a type of Christianity on America which “includes assumptions of nativism (favoring native born over immigrants), white supremacy, patriarchy (Men have the majority of power and privilege) and heteronormativity (Heterosexuality is the norm), along with divine sanction for authoritarian control and militarism (Use the military to defend or promote national interests). It is as ethnic and political as it is religious. Understood in this light, Christian nationalism contends that America has been and should always be distinctively “Christian” … from top to bottom — in its self-identity, interpretations of its own history, sacred symbols, cherished values, and public policies — and it aims to keep it this way.” Mark David Hall, professor at George Fox University has done a great job rebutting this, and I want to summarize a few things here:
- We should be patriotic as Americans, but we owe our ultimate allegiance to God.
- As Christians, we believe that every person should be treated with dignity and respect, whether we agree with them or not.
- To say that America was founded as a Christian nation is not the same as saying that America is for Christians only. Even President Washington wrote a letter to the Jewish congregation in Rhode Island promising them freedom of worship. By the way, there were only 2000 Jewish people in America at the time.
- Yes, there are people who have held to views that may be considered as Christian nationalism (not totally accurate) like Rushdoony or those who hold to Dominion or Reconstructionist Theology, but they hardly have a following. Some of their views include capital punishment for witchcraft, homosexuality, or juvenile delinquency. They believe that this is not now but in the post-millennial period, as things will just get better and better. How many of you believe that! How many of you have heard of Rousas John Rushdoony?
- Just because I say “Vote biblical values” does not make me a Christian nationalist. I am saying choose life for the unborn, support traditional marriage, pray in school, protect our children, work hard, and freedom of religion.
- By the way, when they asked similar questions about faith in America, about 65% of African Americans turned up to be Christian nationalists! They were not advocating for white privilege. They answered that way because they wanted more social justice in America from the Bible, from their Christian upbringing.
- How about Charlottesville in August 2017 when white supremacist/alt-right showed up or the January 2021 assault on the Capitol? Were there Christian nationalists there? Yes, but that is even more reason for godly Bible-believing people to speak up and say – “That’s not us. We repudiate such people and their ideology.” Don’t abandon your true belief. Don’t let your enemies define you.
Imposters will lie to you and tell you that they are saving you from the Baal-fighters.
Abimelech used the money from the Baal temple to hire worthless and reckless men. The word for worthless in Hebrew is “req” = empty, unsatisfied, idle, and ethically worthless. The word for reckless is “pachaz” = unstable, haughty, and unbridled. Does that sound familiar? Then, he went over to Ophrah where his 70 half-brothers lived and killed them all on one stone (This was more than likely human sacrifice to Baal), except one who escaped. He was the youngest one, named Jotham. Following this brutal massacre, the men of Shechem made Abimelech king. How foolish! They thought that they had found a deliverer. Instead, they got a dictator. He lied to them by saying that the 70 brothers would be dictators. In reality, he was the serpent. Jotham, Gideon’s youngest son who had escaped Abimelech’s slaughter, tried to warn them but to no avail. Listen to plea in Judges 9 7 “Listen to me, you men of Shechem, That God may listen to you! 8 “The trees once went forth to anoint a king over them.And they said to the olive tree, ‘Reign over us!’ 9 But the olive tree said to them, “Should I cease giving my oil, With which they honor God and men, And go to sway over trees?’ 10“Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘You come and reign over us!’ 11 But the fig tree said to them, “Should I cease my sweetness and my good fruit, And go to sway over trees?’ 12 “Then the trees said to the vine, ‘You come and reign over us!’ 13 But the vine said to them, “Should I cease my new wine, Which cheers both God and men, And go to sway over trees?’ 14 “Then all the trees said to the bramble, ‘You come and reign over us!’ 15 And the bramble said to the trees, “If in truth you anoint me as king over you, Then come and take shelter in my shade; But if not, let fire come out of the bramble And devour the cedars of Lebanon!’ Did you hear the threat?
Now begins the downfall of Abimelech. Judges 9 22 After Abimelech had reigned over Israel three years, 23 God sent a spirit of ill will between Abimelech and the men of Shechem; and the men of Shechem dealt treacherously with Abimelech, 24 that the crime done to the seventy sons of Jerubbaal might be settled and their blood be laid on Abimelech their brother, who killed them, and on the men of Shechem, who aided him in the killing of his brothers. 25And the men of Shechem set men in ambush against him on the tops of the mountains, and they robbed all who passed by them along that way; and it was told Abimelech. So, the very people who put him in charge are trying to get rid of him. Judges 9 26 Now Gaal the son of Ebed came with his brothers and went over to Shechem; and the men of Shechem put their confidence in him. Long story short, Judges 9 39 So Gaal went out, leading the men of Shechem, and fought with Abimelech. 40 And Abimelech chased him, and he fled from him; and many fell wounded, to the very entrance of the gate. 41 Then Abimelech dwelt at Arumah, and Zebul drove out Gaal and his brothers, so that they would not dwell in Shechem.Cities and towns are being overrun by gangs and thugs. Judges 9 42 And it came about on the next day that the people went out into the field, and they told Abimelech. 43 So he took his people, divided them into three companies, and lay in wait in the field. And he looked, and there were the people, coming out of the city; and he rose against them and attacked them. 44 Then Abimelech and the company that was with him rushed forward and stood at the entrance of the gate of the city; and the other two companies rushed upon all who were in the fields and killed them. 45 So Abimelech fought against the city all that day; he took the city and killed the people who were in it; and he demolished the city and sowed it with salt. This is nothing but destruction and anarchy, but it’s not over yet. Judges 9 46 Now when all the men of the tower of Shechem had heard that, they entered the stronghold of the temple of the god Berith. 47 And it was told Abimelech that all the men of the tower of Shechem were gathered together. 48 Then Abimelech went up to Mount Zalmon, he and all the people who were with him. And Abimelech took an ax in his hand and cut down a bough from the trees, and took it and laid it on his shoulder; then he said to the people who were with him, “What you have seen me do, make haste and do as I have done.” 49 So each of the people likewise cut down his own bough and followed Abimelech, put them against the stronghold, and set the stronghold on fire above them, so that all the people of the tower of Shechem died, about a thousand men and women. Don’t forget – God has a way of turning the sword of the Enemy against himself.
Now, comes the demise of Abimelech. Judges 9 50 Then Abimelech went to Thebez, and he encamped against Thebez and took it. 51 But there was a strong tower in the city, and all the men and women—all the people of the city—fled there and shut themselves in; then they went up to the top of the tower. 52 So Abimelech came as far as the tower and fought against it; and he drew near the door of the tower to burn it with fire. 53 But a certain woman dropped an upper millstone on Abimelech’s head and crushed his skull. This is the type of the Genesis 3:15 promise – “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” We saw that with Sisera and Jael who drove that nail into his temple. Now it is Abimelech. Then, he had his armorbearer kill him. God uses the Enemy’s weapon against himself.
Invitation: There are a lot of voices that are shouting for our attention. Some are voices of truth, and some are imposters. What will you believe? Ultimately, Jesus is the truth. In him we find true Liberty and Equality. John 8:36 “Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” Galatians 3:28 “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”