On this passage, we see a wonderful story where God not just leads Israel to victory but God also saves the people of Gibeon.
Now, who is this Gibeonites? The people of Gibeon are Hivites (Joshua 9:7), and these Hivites that lives in Gibeon, we call them Gibeonites. In Genesis 36 we have some information that Esau's wives are canaanites and in Gen 36:2, we are told that one of his wife, called Adah is one of the descendants from Zibeon the Hivite - who is also described as "of the daughters of Canaan" (look also on Gen 10:15-17). Later it was also mentioned in Joshua 9:16 that these Gibeonites lives near the Israelites at that time, and as we know the Israelites were within the Canaanite's territory. And so these Gibeonites is part of the Canaanites - which is the enemy of Israel - a nation that God asked Israel to completely destroy because of their idolatry (Read Deuteronomy 20:16-18).
So this is Gibeonites, an enemy of Israel, BUT the story revealed to us that Gibeonites made a ruse toward the Israelites. They pretend to come from a distant country as an ambassador to make a treaty or covenant with the Israelites. They even put themselves as a servant to Israelites when Joshua asked them. In Joshua chapter 10 verse 2, we see an account to the people of Gibeon, and its city. Gibeon was an important city, like one of the royal cities; it was greater than Ai, and all its men were good fighters. Now, why would they make such a deception to make a treaty with the Israelites? They were stronger than Ai, while Israelites was once defeated by the Ai (in Joshua 7) - aren't Israel not that great? If Ai, a small city could ever beat the Israelites, they surely have a greater chance to beat the Israelites from the military point of view, right? Plus their fighters were not a mediocre fighter, they have great fighters even the King of Jerusalem and his people were alarmed to the fact that Gibeonites has made treaty with the Israelites. So Adoni-Zedek the king of Jerusalem had to make a join forces with the king of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and king of Eglon to fight the Gibeonites. This was the proof that Gibeonites are such a scary opponents at those times. And so, why would they did make such a ruse to make a treaty with the Israelites, to be called a servant?
Joshua 9:3 told us that when the Gibeonites heard of what the Israelites had done to Jericho and Ai, they acted with cunning to deceive the Israelites to accept them. The Gibeonites were not afraid of the Israelites in itself, but it is because God (Yahweh) who fights for the Israelites. They confessed this on verse 9-11 saying: “From a very distant country your servants have come, because of the name of the Lord your God. For we have heard a report of Him, and all that He did in Egypt, and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon the king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth. So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, ‘Take provisions in your hand for the journey and go to meet them and say to them, “We are your servants. Come now, make a covenant with us.” In other words, they wanted to convert, and wanted to be part of Israel. See how their response upon hearing what God has done compared to the rest of the city on the west of the Jordan (verse 1-2 compare to verse 3). The rest of the west of Jordan’s cities response was to unite (to strengthen) themselves to make war against the Israelites, but this great Gibeonites prefer to submit under the God of Israel by making a treaty with His people (Israelites). They made a deception because they realise that the Israelites would wipe them out (verse 24) if they were discovered as the people who live in Canaanites.
In the end, verse 16 told us that three days after they made covenant to each other, the Israelites discovered that they were actually neighbours, living near them. The Israelites would like to destroy them as God has commanded them, but they couldn't because they already made an oath by the LORD, God of Israel, and so the Israelites couldn't touch them, lest they break the covenant which would make God’s wrath fell upon them because they have sworn to them. Joshua let these Gibeonites to live, and made them as a woodcutters and water carriers for the house of Yahweh forever.
We see here that Gibeonites, a nation that meant to be for destruction, had been spared, though it was because of the carelessness that Joshua did (Joshua used his wisdom and live on by his sight without inquiring the matter to God). Though their trick was discovered, what might seems to be a punishment became a blessings. It seems the Gibeonites was made to not have their own freedom anymore by being punished as a servant forever, but in fact they were given such a privilege to serve God. Verse 27 noted that the Gibeonites were still works as a woodcutters and water carriers for the community and for the altar of the LORD until “this day” (or until the writing of this book of Joshua occurred). The name Gibeonites was later known as temple slaves, or one dedicated for the temple, and some transliterated it as “Nethinim”. Later, the tabernacle of the Lord would be established at Gibeon (2 Chron 1:3), and even they would replace or assist levites in temple service (Ezra 8:20). It was also on behalf of the Gibeonites that God later worked a great miracle (in Joshua 10). When some of the cities from Canaan (king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and king of Eglon) joined forces to fight the Gibeonites, the Israelites helped them; and this was the proof that Gibeon has been considered as part of the Israelites; and we see that God’s miracle in Joshua 10:13 confirmed this. Joshua requested so that the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon until the nations triumphed over its enemies. God’s miracle shows that God accepts Gibeon as one of His own. Isn't that a privilege?
God’s mercy toward Gibeonites was that they were spared. Their identity as a nation that was meant for destruction, was spared. God’s grace toward Gibeonites was that they would made worthy to be the servants of the house of the LORD. This is God’s mercy and grace toward Gibeonites. Mercy is when you don’t get what you deserve to receive. We are sinner, and we are just like the Gibeonites that deserves to receive punishment, condemnation, or destruction; but God’s mercy to us “the elect” has taken away the price of our sin and put it on Christ who has sacrifice Himself on the cross. Grace is when you receive what you don’t deserve to receive. For us a sinner, we don’t deserve to receive His forgiveness or even the glory that God would give to us later in the consummation. We even don’t deserve to be adopted as God’s children, but yet God adopted us (took us), and called us His children. What a grace..
This story of Gibeon was like the story of Rahab the prostitute, the Canaanite who converts to become Israelites. Thus, this story reminds us of who we are.. people un-deserve for such mercy and grace but yet God’s mercy and grace is upon us. And so, how can we not be grateful to God? Do we ever realise the depth of His grace and mercy upon us, sinner? Just as what it means for Gibeonites to be part of God’s people, that is, to be God’s servant and servant of others; we are too should serve God and others. It is a privilege for us to serve God and His kingdom, as the more we serve God, we realise God’s love even more.
One warning, that Satan would not like this to happen. When the Gibeonites converts to the Israelites, other cities did not like it, and they attacked more vigorously; the same way, Satan would attack our spirituality even more. But we shouldn't be afraid, just as what God has told in Joshua 10:8 “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you”, we too can take God’s promise as long as we take on our guard with the full armor of God: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:10-20, ESV)
Do we realise that our life is a spiritual battle? If we never realise this, how could we achieved victory over Satan? We have to remind ourselves that our battle is not a physical battle, but our battle is spiritual; and so we have to rely on God, meaning to be close to Him, to ask for His power, and to gain confidence in Him because we trust and obey Him as the one who has saved us, as the one who has shown His mercy and grace towards us, the undeserved. Let God’s mercy and grace that we have received keeps us to realise to be grateful and to serve Him more.
~ Paul Hartono
Now, who is this Gibeonites? The people of Gibeon are Hivites (Joshua 9:7), and these Hivites that lives in Gibeon, we call them Gibeonites. In Genesis 36 we have some information that Esau's wives are canaanites and in Gen 36:2, we are told that one of his wife, called Adah is one of the descendants from Zibeon the Hivite - who is also described as "of the daughters of Canaan" (look also on Gen 10:15-17). Later it was also mentioned in Joshua 9:16 that these Gibeonites lives near the Israelites at that time, and as we know the Israelites were within the Canaanite's territory. And so these Gibeonites is part of the Canaanites - which is the enemy of Israel - a nation that God asked Israel to completely destroy because of their idolatry (Read Deuteronomy 20:16-18).
So this is Gibeonites, an enemy of Israel, BUT the story revealed to us that Gibeonites made a ruse toward the Israelites. They pretend to come from a distant country as an ambassador to make a treaty or covenant with the Israelites. They even put themselves as a servant to Israelites when Joshua asked them. In Joshua chapter 10 verse 2, we see an account to the people of Gibeon, and its city. Gibeon was an important city, like one of the royal cities; it was greater than Ai, and all its men were good fighters. Now, why would they make such a deception to make a treaty with the Israelites? They were stronger than Ai, while Israelites was once defeated by the Ai (in Joshua 7) - aren't Israel not that great? If Ai, a small city could ever beat the Israelites, they surely have a greater chance to beat the Israelites from the military point of view, right? Plus their fighters were not a mediocre fighter, they have great fighters even the King of Jerusalem and his people were alarmed to the fact that Gibeonites has made treaty with the Israelites. So Adoni-Zedek the king of Jerusalem had to make a join forces with the king of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and king of Eglon to fight the Gibeonites. This was the proof that Gibeonites are such a scary opponents at those times. And so, why would they did make such a ruse to make a treaty with the Israelites, to be called a servant?
Joshua 9:3 told us that when the Gibeonites heard of what the Israelites had done to Jericho and Ai, they acted with cunning to deceive the Israelites to accept them. The Gibeonites were not afraid of the Israelites in itself, but it is because God (Yahweh) who fights for the Israelites. They confessed this on verse 9-11 saying: “From a very distant country your servants have come, because of the name of the Lord your God. For we have heard a report of Him, and all that He did in Egypt, and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon the king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth. So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, ‘Take provisions in your hand for the journey and go to meet them and say to them, “We are your servants. Come now, make a covenant with us.” In other words, they wanted to convert, and wanted to be part of Israel. See how their response upon hearing what God has done compared to the rest of the city on the west of the Jordan (verse 1-2 compare to verse 3). The rest of the west of Jordan’s cities response was to unite (to strengthen) themselves to make war against the Israelites, but this great Gibeonites prefer to submit under the God of Israel by making a treaty with His people (Israelites). They made a deception because they realise that the Israelites would wipe them out (verse 24) if they were discovered as the people who live in Canaanites.
In the end, verse 16 told us that three days after they made covenant to each other, the Israelites discovered that they were actually neighbours, living near them. The Israelites would like to destroy them as God has commanded them, but they couldn't because they already made an oath by the LORD, God of Israel, and so the Israelites couldn't touch them, lest they break the covenant which would make God’s wrath fell upon them because they have sworn to them. Joshua let these Gibeonites to live, and made them as a woodcutters and water carriers for the house of Yahweh forever.
We see here that Gibeonites, a nation that meant to be for destruction, had been spared, though it was because of the carelessness that Joshua did (Joshua used his wisdom and live on by his sight without inquiring the matter to God). Though their trick was discovered, what might seems to be a punishment became a blessings. It seems the Gibeonites was made to not have their own freedom anymore by being punished as a servant forever, but in fact they were given such a privilege to serve God. Verse 27 noted that the Gibeonites were still works as a woodcutters and water carriers for the community and for the altar of the LORD until “this day” (or until the writing of this book of Joshua occurred). The name Gibeonites was later known as temple slaves, or one dedicated for the temple, and some transliterated it as “Nethinim”. Later, the tabernacle of the Lord would be established at Gibeon (2 Chron 1:3), and even they would replace or assist levites in temple service (Ezra 8:20). It was also on behalf of the Gibeonites that God later worked a great miracle (in Joshua 10). When some of the cities from Canaan (king of Jerusalem, the king of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and king of Eglon) joined forces to fight the Gibeonites, the Israelites helped them; and this was the proof that Gibeon has been considered as part of the Israelites; and we see that God’s miracle in Joshua 10:13 confirmed this. Joshua requested so that the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon until the nations triumphed over its enemies. God’s miracle shows that God accepts Gibeon as one of His own. Isn't that a privilege?
God’s mercy toward Gibeonites was that they were spared. Their identity as a nation that was meant for destruction, was spared. God’s grace toward Gibeonites was that they would made worthy to be the servants of the house of the LORD. This is God’s mercy and grace toward Gibeonites. Mercy is when you don’t get what you deserve to receive. We are sinner, and we are just like the Gibeonites that deserves to receive punishment, condemnation, or destruction; but God’s mercy to us “the elect” has taken away the price of our sin and put it on Christ who has sacrifice Himself on the cross. Grace is when you receive what you don’t deserve to receive. For us a sinner, we don’t deserve to receive His forgiveness or even the glory that God would give to us later in the consummation. We even don’t deserve to be adopted as God’s children, but yet God adopted us (took us), and called us His children. What a grace..
This story of Gibeon was like the story of Rahab the prostitute, the Canaanite who converts to become Israelites. Thus, this story reminds us of who we are.. people un-deserve for such mercy and grace but yet God’s mercy and grace is upon us. And so, how can we not be grateful to God? Do we ever realise the depth of His grace and mercy upon us, sinner? Just as what it means for Gibeonites to be part of God’s people, that is, to be God’s servant and servant of others; we are too should serve God and others. It is a privilege for us to serve God and His kingdom, as the more we serve God, we realise God’s love even more.
One warning, that Satan would not like this to happen. When the Gibeonites converts to the Israelites, other cities did not like it, and they attacked more vigorously; the same way, Satan would attack our spirituality even more. But we shouldn't be afraid, just as what God has told in Joshua 10:8 “Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you”, we too can take God’s promise as long as we take on our guard with the full armor of God: “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians 6:10-20, ESV)
Do we realise that our life is a spiritual battle? If we never realise this, how could we achieved victory over Satan? We have to remind ourselves that our battle is not a physical battle, but our battle is spiritual; and so we have to rely on God, meaning to be close to Him, to ask for His power, and to gain confidence in Him because we trust and obey Him as the one who has saved us, as the one who has shown His mercy and grace towards us, the undeserved. Let God’s mercy and grace that we have received keeps us to realise to be grateful and to serve Him more.
~ Paul Hartono
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