Leadership by force is the lowest level of leadership. Sometimes you have to lead by force, but it is simply the worst. Abimelech decided that force was going to be his rule:
“Abimelech used [the silver] to hire reckless adventurers, who became his followers.” (Judges 9:4)
Abimelech hired a brute squad to get rid of anyone who may fight for leadership. Brute power will never spare you from all harm. In the end, Abimelech dies from blunt force trauma.
There are times that force is neccessary for leadership.
- Sometimes you have to hold a child to make them stay
- Sometimes you have to fire an employee to make them stop stealing
- Sometimes you have to take the license of a habitual speeder.
However,
- if you run a home where your kid’s #1 motivator is fear, then you will end up with a family like Judges 9.
- If you run a business where the “fire” button is easily reachable, then you will have a Judges 9 style organization.
My goal of heaven is not to just escape hell. It is to be with my Creator. On this 10th day of Judges, this is what I am reflecting upon.