Scripture Union Daily Guide 17 June 2025 (Tuesday) Devotional Message
Today’s Daily Guide 17th June 2025 Reading By Scripture Union
TOPIC: The Dangerous Pursuit of Power
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OPENING PRAYER: Lord, let the light of your word shine into my life as I meditate on your word.
SCRIPTURE READING – Judges 9:1-21
1 And Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem unto his mother’s brethren, and communed with them, and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying,
2 Speak, I pray you, in the ears of all the men of Shechem, Whether is better for you, either that all the sons of Jerubbaal, which are threescore and ten persons, reign over you, or that one reign over you? remember also that I am your bone and your flesh.
3 And his mother’s brethren spake of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words: and their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, He is our brother.
4 And they gave him threescore and ten pieces of silver out of the house of Baalberith, wherewith Abimelech hired vain and light persons, which followed him.
5 And he went unto his father’s house at Ophrah, and slew his brethren the sons of Jerubbaal, being threescore and ten persons, upon one stone: notwithstanding yet Jotham the youngest son of Jerubbaal was left; for he hid himself.
6 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem.
7 And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you.
8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
10 And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us.
11 But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
12 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us.
13 And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
14 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us.
15 And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the cedars of Lebanon.
16 Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands;
17 (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian:
18 And ye are risen up against my father’s house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;)
19 If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you:
20 But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech.
21 And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother.
QUESTIONS FOR MEDITATION:
► Q2: Is there any example for me to follow or not to follow?
Scripture Union Daily Guide 17 June 2025 – OUTLINE
The book of Judges presents a vivid picture of the tumultuous period in Israel’s history when they were governed by series of judges. However, in Judges 9:1-21, we witness a different kind of leadership emerging—one driven by personal ambition and deceit. Abimelech sought power and kingship through treacherous means.
Notice the extent he went to get help for his evil purpose (Judges 9:4). It is not uncommon for people to play the tribal tune to achieve their ambition. This often leads down treacherous paths not grounded in God’s will and righteousness. When the desire for power becomes our sole focus, we risk compromising our values and integrity.
The preservation of Jotham shows God’s wonderful work and commitment to fulfilling His plan and purpose for each person. Notice in Judges 9:7-21, his powerful parable predicting the downfall of Abimelech and the people who supported him. This parable serves as a reminder that unrighteous leadership will inevitably bring destruction and discord. The consequences of pursuing power selfishly and disregarding godly principles may not be immediately apparent, but they will eventually catch up with us.
* Any new insight or reinforcement of what you already know?
CLOSING PRAYER:
Heavenly Father, guard our hearts against the temptation to seek power for personal gain or through unrighteous means.
One Year Bible Reading Guide:
2 Chronicles 16-17; Mark 16.
One Year Bible Reading Guide, Hard Copy Version:
Proverbs 25-26
National Prayer Bulletin – Tuesday Jun 17, 2025
PRAYER FOCUS
PREPARED HEARTS
“For Ezra had firmly resolved to study the law of the Lord and to practice it, and to teach His statues and ordinances in Israel”. Ezra 7:10
THANK GOD FOR:
* Calling us and making us priests unto himself • Opportunities given to us to teach his words to others
PRAY FOR:
* Like Ezra, we also will firmly resolve to study the word of the Lord that has been committed unto us with a sincere heart • Grace to also continue to use every available opportunity to teach his statues as approved servants of God
Scripture Union is an international, interdenominational, evangelical Christian organization. It was founded in 1867, and works in partnership with individuals and churches across the world. The organization’s stated aim is to use the Bible to inspire children, young people and adults to know God. (Scripture Union Daily Guide 17 June 2025)
