Why the Right Leadership Matters

Why the Right Leadership Matters: What Jotham’s Parable Teaches Us About Character and Motive

In Judges 9:7–15, we find one of the Bible’s most overlooked, yet powerful parables about leadership. After a tragic and bloody rise to power, Abimelek becomes king through betrayal and murder. He kills his seventy brothers—his own flesh and blood—to seize the throne. But one brother survives: Jotham. And Jotham stands on Mount Gerizim and boldly tells a story that still speaks truth today.

He tells a parable about trees.

Yes, trees.

In the parable, the trees are looking for a king. They ask the olive tree to rule over them, but it says no. It’s too busy producing oil that honors God and people. Then they go to the fig tree, which also says no because it’s producing sweet fruit. Next, they ask the vine, which refuses because it’s giving wine that brings joy. Finally, the trees go to the thornbush, a worthless and dangerous plant. The thornbush says yes—but with a warning. It offers false protection (“Come rest in my shade!”) and threatens destruction for those who resist.

This wasn’t just a random story. Jotham was holding up a mirror to the people who chose Abimelek. They didn’t look for someone with good fruit—someone with character, wisdom, or a heart to serve. They looked for someone who would do whatever it took to get power. And in doing so, they chose a thornbush. They chose destruction.

A Personal Note from New England

Living in New England, I can’t help but see trees and rocks everywhere. They’re part of our everyday life—the winding forest trails, the granite outcrops, the towering pines. What I love most is how often God uses nature to teach us truth, just like He did through Jotham.

It wasn’t until recently that I saw Judges 9 as more than just a warning story. I never thought of this passage as one that teaches us about the right kind of leadership. But when I looked closer, it became clear: this parable is packed with leadership wisdom. Trees that produce fruit, vines that give joy, thornbushes that promise protection but deliver pain—this isn’t just poetry. It’s a picture of real-life leadership.

Why Leadership Matters

Leadership isn’t just about who’s in charge. It’s about who people follow and what kind of future that leader creates. In the Bible, godly leadership is about service, humility, and obedience to God. When leaders are chosen because of power plays or popularity, without regard for character, the results are almost always destructive.

Good leaders aren’t always flashy or loud. Like the olive tree, fig tree, and vine, they’re busy doing good work. They’re consistent. They serve people. They honor God. They bring blessing. They may not seek power—but they often have the kind of hearts God loves to use.

The world might promote thornbush leaders—people who rise quickly by stepping on others, using manipulation, or making empty promises. But in the end, thornbushes burn. And they often take others with them.

Why Character Matters

Character is who you are when no one’s watching. It’s the fruit your life produces over time—just like the oil from the olive tree or the sweetness of the fig. You can’t fake godly character. It’s built through faith, obedience, and humility.

When we choose leaders with strong character, we’re choosing a future with more peace, justice, and unity. But when character is ignored in favor of charm or charisma, it’s only a matter of time before things fall apart. Abimelek had ambition, but not character. He had influence, but no integrity. And it led to civil war, betrayal, and eventually his own destruction.

As Jotham’s parable teaches, the motive of the heart matters just as much as the actions of the hands.

Why Motive Matters

The olive tree, fig tree, and vine all had one thing in common: they said no to power because they were already serving a greater purpose. Their motives were pure. They weren’t trying to be seen or worshipped—they were trying to serve.

The thornbush, though, was eager to rule. But its motive was not to bless—it was to control and consume. The offer of “shade” was empty. Thornbushes don’t provide shade—they scratch, tangle, and start fires.

In the kingdom of God, motive matters. The why behind your leadership shapes the what and how. If your motive is to glorify God and love people, your leadership will reflect Jesus. But if the motive is pride, recognition, or control, that leadership can become toxic—even if it looks successful on the outside.

What This Means for Us Today

Whether you're leading a family, a business, a church, or just your own life—you are a leader in some way. And this story challenges all of us to look at three key questions:

1. Am I choosing or becoming a leader with character?
   Look for the fruit. Don’t just ask if someone can lead—ask what kind of life they live when no one is watching.
2. Am I motivated by service or by status?
   The best leaders don’t chase positions—they follow a purpose. They lead because they love.
3. Do I trust God’s timing and calling?
   The olive tree didn’t rush to the throne. It stayed faithful where it was planted. Sometimes God calls you to lead—and sometimes He calls you to serve quietly. Both are valuable.

Final Thought

The story of Jotham’s parable in Judges 9 reminds us that leadership, character, and motive go hand in hand. A healthy future depends on the kind of leaders we follow—and the kind of leaders we become. Let’s stop choosing thornbushes. Let’s start looking for fruit.

In New England, we don’t have to look far to find trees and rocks with stories to tell. And just like Jotham did from the top of a mountain, we too can speak truth, point to God’s wisdom, and remember that in leadership, it’s the heart that makes all the difference.

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