Often we read Scripture and miss the significance of a seemingly simple line or phrase. This is one example of that. What exactly was the "curse of Jotham"? and what caused God to pour it out onto the men of Shechem? After all, it was Abimelich who killed his seventy brothersy brothers, wasn't it? All except Jotham, the youngest, who managed to hide himeslf and avoid execution. But Abimelech was not alone in his wickedness. The men of Shechem willingly followed and aided him. They were not innocent; verse 24 tells us "they strengthened his hands to kill his brothers. Evil seldom acts alone, it always involves others.

Jotham was the only son of Jerubbaal, (another name for Gideon), who escaped being murdered by his half-brother Abimelech. Gideon was used by God to save Israel from the Midianites, whom God had allowed to capture the Israelites because of their unfaithfulness. Judges 8:28-35 Thus was Midian subdued before the children of Israel, so that they lifted up their heads no more. And the country was in quietness forty years in the days of Gideon. And Jerubbaal the son of Joash went and dwelt in his own house. And Gideon had threescore and ten sons, his own offspring: for he had many wives. And his concubine that was in Shechem, she also bore him a son, whose name he called Abimelech. And Gideon the son of Joash died at a good old age, and was buried in the sepulchre of Joash his father, in Ophrah of the Abiezrites. And it came to pass, as soon as Gideon was dead, that the children of Israel turned again, and played the harlot after Baalim, and made Baalberith their god. And the children of Israel remembered not the LORD their God, who had delivered them out of the hands of all their enemies on every side: Neither showed they kindness to the house of Jerubbaal, namely, Gideon, according to all the goodness which he had showed unto Israel.

But more than merely revealing the wickedness of men, which is plainly detailed in the preceding verses, our key verses today reveal a great deal about God. It s important to unstand the attributes of God that are not plainly detailed, but give us a pretty clear picture nonetheless. This final verse highlights the divine JUSTICE of God. We know God is a just God, He is never blind to wickedness, and never closes His eye to violence and treachery. Throughout Scripture, God's justice is portrayed, and His judgments upon sinfulness is always just. Psalm 7:11 says "God judges the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day." He is a merciful God, but does not tolerate or close His eyes to the deeds of ungodly persons.

This idea of God's retribution for one's deeds does not sit well with the prevailing theology of "God is love". But the concept of His retibution is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, and not just in the Old Testament. Galations 6:7 warns us, "Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap." This reflects the principal that we are all held accountable for our actions, both individually and collectively, because as previously mentioned, evil seldom acts alone. Both individuals and nations will be held accountable by a just God for their actions.

The good news for us, on this side of the cross, is that because of Christ's atoning sacrifice for our sins, we will not face the wrath of God; Jesus took it all on our behalf. Ephesians 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things comes the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall test every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.