At this point in Joshua nine, we’ve
already witnessed how to recognize godless covenants, how to respond to
them, and now we’ll conclude by focusing on how to reconcile them.
Joshua 9:21 And the rulers said to them, “Let them live,
but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for all the
congregation, as the rulers had promised them.” 22 Then
Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived
us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you dwell near
us? 23 Now therefore, you are cursed, and none
of you shall be freed from being slaves—woodcutters and water carriers for
the house of my God.”
Remember, when Joshua and crew exposed
the deception of Gibeon, they maintained composure, kept character,
stayed true to conviction, and were close enough to God to understand
the consequence of their actions.
Notice all of those responses had to
do with, within. Before they uttered a word, or drew a sword…they looked in the
mirror.
We’d do well to do the same.
Judgement must begin at home. 1 Peter 4:17.
Those wayward thoughts—bring them captive. 2 Corinthians 10:5.
That untamed tongue—bridle it. James 3:2.
Only after acknowledging their
role and responsibility in the situation, do they step forward and take command
of the godless covenant.
The question Joshua asked the Gibeonites wasn’t to gain information, but to make a point, and take command.
There
was no more discussion, they knew what they had to do. The same thing we must
do with our own wayward ways, thoughts, tongue, –ites.
The Gibeonites were made to be servants for the House of God.
You may remember, I tried this with our mailman.
Just the other day, Johnny, our mailman, drove on our yard, and
crushed a solar spot light that illuminated a wooden cross and prayer box.
I wasn’t sure if it was him, but our neighbor’s security camera
captured the whole thing—even the sound of crunching plastic and
glass.
I gathered the pieces from all over our little front yard, and
placed them at the foot of the cross, in plain sight, next to the street.
The mailman drove by day after day; he never said a word.
Finally, I stopped him, asked him. To his credit, he didn’t deny it.
Said he didn't see it, but heard something crunch.
So, there he sat; caught red handed. What do you do?
I tried to respond to him, like Israel responded to them.
“Johnny, you come to Church, and we’ll call it even.”
“Okay, but not next week, I have to work.”
Joshua 9:24 So they answered Joshua and said, “Because
your servants were clearly told that the Lord your God commanded His servant Moses to
give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from
before you; therefore we were very much afraid for our lives because of
you, and have done this thing. 25 And now, here we
are, in your hands; do with us as it seems good and right to do to
us.”
The Gibeonites, knew. They heard. They
were clearly told about the Lord. Just as all the world, has heard. All creation
knows there is a Creator.
But they didn’t submit and surrender. They
only confessed, after they were caught. That doesn’t count. A criminal’s
confession after being caught red-handed, doesn’t expunge the crime.
Johnny the mailman didn’t stop and
submit and apologize, he only confessed after being confronted and caught.
The Gibeonites, wanted to be in
covenant with Israel to avoid destruction. Like folks who want just enough of
God to avoid hell. Visit Church, now and then. Say, “I believe” so, they think, they're good to go. Even demons believe, and tremble. James 2:19.
Jesus is returning for a glorious
Church, a Bride, without spot or wrinkle. That means, He’s returning for those who love Him enough to be ever
watching, waiting, preparing for His imminent return. NOT, those who are living,
laughing, loving, godless covenants with the world, but still want a ticket to
paradise, without a Godly covenant.
Johnny never showed up for Church. When
asked about it, he said he was too busy with motocross and hobbies and things.
But Johnny, we had a deal.
Just leave an invoice, in the mailbox, and I’ll
pay it.
He missed the point.
The price is too high.
And it’s already been paid.
Many will say in that day, “Lord, Lord…”
and He will say, “Depart from Me, I never knew you.” Matthew 7:22-23.
Joshua 9:26 So he did to them, and delivered them out of
the hand of the children of Israel, so that they did not kill them. 27 And
that day Joshua made them woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation
and for the altar of the Lord, in
the place which He would choose, even to this day.
Mercy triumphs
over judgement. James 2:13.
The Gibeonites didn’t do like Johnny. They
honored the deal, showed up for Church, and served in the House of God for
generations.
They were never grafted into the family, like Rahab the harlot, but at least they weren't utterly destroyed.
In return, God honored the covenant
and even fought for the Gibeonites, (we’ll see in chapter ten).
Isn’t it great? God can make our
mistakes work together for Good, if we’ll submit them to Him.
We see glimpses of Gibeon throughout scripture.
· Many years later, God sent a severe famine
because King Saul shed Gibeonite blood. 2 Samuel 21.
· Gibeon became a city of priests and the tabernacle
of the Lord. 1 Chronicles 16:39-40; 21:29.
· At least one of David’s mighty men was
a Gibeonite (1
Chronicles 12:4).
· God spoke to Solomon at Gibeon (1
Kings 3:4-5).
· Gibeonites helped rebuild walls of Jerusalem
with Nehemiah (Nehemiah
3:7 and 7:25).
· Prophets such as Hananiah the son of Azur came
from Gibeon (Jeremiah
28:1).
Lord Jesus,
We submit and commit, ourselves, mistakes and all, to You. We humbly invite You, to make something of us, that honors You. We know, that nothing can crush the Light on Your Cross. We pray Your Love and Your Light will shine to and through us.
And, Lord, we pray for Johnny, and those like him, that they will be drawn to Your Light.
We love You, forever.
Amen.
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