I have absolutely no interest in stories. No, that’s not exactly true. The story I will tell you is a brain-boiler, and I like it a lot. The problem rests with the story itself. Ok, let’s narrow that down further. I have no actual complaint with the actual combination of words, flow and ideas that makes up the story. If I am completely honest, I must say that I am weak for such stories. I don’t know what they mean, but maybe you do.

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Now when they told Jotham, he went and stood on top of Mount Gerizim, and lifted his voice and cried out. And he said to them: “Listen to me, you men of Shechem, That God may listen to you!

One day the trees decided to choose a king to rule over them.

The trees said to the olive tree, ‘You be king over us.’ But the olive tree said, ‘My oil is used to honor gods and humans. Should I stop making my oil just to go and sway over the other trees?’

“Then the trees said to the fig tree, ‘Come and be our king.’ “But the fig tree answered, ‘Should I stop making my good, sweet fruit just to go and sway over the other trees?’

“Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and be our king.’ “But the vine answered, ‘My wine makes men and kings happy. Should I stop making my wine just to go and sway over the trees?’

“Finally, all the trees said to the thorn bush, ‘Come and be our king.’ “But the thorn bush said to the trees, ‘If you really want to make me king over you, come and find shelter in my shade. But if you don’t want to do this, let fire come out of the thorn bush. Let the fire burn every tree.’

As we come to the end of this intriguing story I’m left with a lingering question: What does it truly mean? It is for each of us to unravel the hidden truths within these ancient words, to contemplate their relevance, and to share our interpretations. Comment below, and let us unlock the wisdom held within this enchanting story.

Source: Judges 9 7-15