In Judges 9, after Gideon dies, his son Abimelech conspires with his mother’s family who live in Shechem to become the ruler of Israel. They give him money from the temple of a Baal. Abimelech goes to his father’s house and kills all of his brothers except one, Jotham, who hides. The leaders of Shechem make Abimelech king.

Jotham cries out to the people of Shechem. He tells them a parable that relates to the dastardly way Abimelech took the throne. He states since they have dealt badly with Gideon’s (Jerubaal) family God will cause their destruction.

After three years of Abimelech’s rule the leaders of Shechem and Abimelech go to war. Abimelech destroys the city of Shechem and he himself is killed. God punishes them for their disobedience.

In Judges 10 two judges are appointed to judge Israel for over 40 years. After they die the Israelites again sin by worshiping many other gods. God sends the Philistines and Ammonites to oppress Israel for 18 years.

The Israelites cry out to God acknowledging their sin. God reminds them the He is the one who delivered them before but since they have turned to other gods they should go and ask them for deliverance. The people again acknowledge their sin and accept the punishment God may have for them. They put the foreign gods away and worship the Lord. God has compassion for His people.

Mark 3 opens on the Sabbath Jesus encounters a man with a withered hand at the synagogue. The people wonder if Jesus will heal on the Sabbath. Jesus asks if it is lawful to do good on Sabbath but they don’t answer. Jesus heals the man. The Pharisees begin to plot to destroy him.

Whenever evil spirits see Jesus they cry out that he is the Son of God. Jesus orders them not to make him known. In the first half of the book of Mark Jesus keeps who he is a secret.

Jesus names twelve followers to be his apostles who will go out and proclaim his message and have authority to cast out demons.

The scribes try to accuse him of being from Satan but Jesus rebukes them. How can Satan be against Satan?  He speaks of the unforgiveable sin: blaspheming the Holy Spirit, because they are accusing him of having an unclean spirit. They are saying that God is really Satan. This is unforgiveable. All other sins and blasphemies are forgiven.

His mother and brothers come to stop him from doing what he has been doing and saying. Jesus states that whoever does the will of God is his brother and sister and mother.

God is consistent in warning those who might try to move against Him. In both of our readings it is made clear that continued sin will be punished. Unfortunately, often those who are sinning do not hear or do not believe until the punishment has been wrought. But God is compassionate and when they come in confession acknowledging that He is Lord, He is faithful to forgive.