Leadership

I just started reading a book called Short Stories by Jesus, written by Amy-Jill Levine.  I'm making myself read the (long) introduction, because it seems to be full of great information.  I almost skipped it today, and then started reading. 

She was telling the reader about parables in the Hebrew Scriptures, including one from the book of Judges.  It is told by Jotham, younger brother of Abimelech.  The older brother had just slaughtered all of his brothers, except the youngest one, Jotham, in order to rule over Shechem.  Jotham hides, and then goes to Mt. Gerizim (where, eventually, the Samaritan Temple will be built) and tells a story (from Judges 9:8-15):

The trees once went out

    to anoint a king over themselves.

So they said to the olive tree,

    ‘Reign over us.’

The olive tree answered them,

    ‘Shall I stop producing my rich oil

        by which gods and mortals are honored,

        and go to sway over the trees?’

Then the trees said to the fig tree,

    ‘You come and reign over us.’

But the fig tree answered them,

    ‘Shall I stop producing my sweetness

        and my delicious fruit,

        and go to sway over the trees?’

Then the trees said to the vine,

    ‘You come and reign over us.’

But the vine said to them,

    ‘Shall I stop producing my wine

        that cheers gods and mortals,

        and go to sway over the trees?’

So all the trees said to the bramble,

    ‘You come and reign over us.’

And the bramble said to the trees,

    ‘If in good faith you are anointing me king over you,

        then come and take refuge in my shade;

    but if not, let fire come out of the bramble

        and devour the cedars of Lebanon.’

All of the "trees" who had something to contribute refused the role of leader.  The one who would take it on, who had nothing to offer, promised retribution on those who opposed him.

It reminds me of today.  Where are our leaders? Who among us, who has gifts and talents to offer, will step up, and lead effectively, with honor, sweetness, and cheer? And who have we to blame but ourselves when one who has no gifts of leadership steps into the role with anger and hatred?

It is up to us to choose wisely, and to use our own gifts willingly.