Judges 9 [The Message]

Taking leadership or ministry authority out of personal ambition is a dangerous ploy. Such was the story of Abimelech, one of Gideon’s sons who was obviously very ambitious. He murdered all of his brothers save one to have the leadership all to himself. His plan succeeded until one fateful day when God finally put an end to his self-centered ways. He was attacking a group of rival leaders held up in a tower. As he faced the gate, a woman on the tower dropped a grain-criushing stone on his head and mortally wounded him. He was so humiliated that he asked his young servant to finish him off. So was the end of Abimelech, the ambitious usurper of power and authority that came from his own covetousness rather than from God’s anointing.

It’s generally only a matter of time before the ambitious meet their demise. They may flourish for a season, but God will not be mocked. There’s a difference between authority and Authority.

Mortal men cannot demote God’s chosen.