We are all exhausted by modern politics. But a 3,000-year-old story in Judges 9 perfectly explains why the worst people often end up in power.

In Jotham’s fable, the trees are looking for a king. They ask the olive, fig, and vine trees to rule, but these productive trees refuse because they are too busy bearing good fruit. Finally, they ask the thornbush. Having nothing useful to offer and only producing pain, the arrogant thornbush eagerly grabs the power. The Bible knew thousands of years ago that truly good, productive people often avoid the toxic pursuit of political power, leaving the door wide open for useless, prideful “thornbushes” to rule over us.

Bible Vod unlocks the profound, timeless political and social wisdom hidden in Scripture.

Published by Bible Insight ~ March 6, 2026