In the book of Joshua, we learned how the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto the cities of the men of Gibeah on the third day.“Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we swore unto them”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty-one of the book of Joshua, we learn how “the princes said unto them, Let them live” where we read,
And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them.
The verse reads, “And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the princes said unto them” which means “and the leaders, chiefs, chieftains and rulers uttered, declared and proclaimed to them, the people of Israel”, “let them live” or “allow and permit them, the men of Gibeah, to remain alive, active and breathing”; “but let them be hewers of wood” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover allow and permit them, the men of Gibeah, to exist and cutters and gatherers of timbers, stock, planks and sticks” “and drawers of water” or “and balers of fresh water” “unto all the congregation” which means “to each, every, the whole and everyone within the gathered and assembled people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how the leaders of Israel encouraged the crowd to allow the men of Gibeah to remain alive and to become those who cut and gather “wood” as well as “draw water” for everyone in Israel.
The verse goes on to say, “as the princes had promised them.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “as the princes” which means “similar and in likeness to the way the leaders, chiefs, chieftains and rulers” “had promised them” or “adjured and gave an oath to them, the men of Gibeah”. Joshua or the writer shared how the gathered assembly of the people of Israel were to allow the man of Gibeah to remain alive and become their servants in carrying “wood” and bringing “water” even as the “leaders” took an oath that they would do.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we learn how the leaders of Israel began to convince the assembled crowd of grumbling Israelites that they should allow the “men of Gibeah” to remain alive. In doing so, the “men of Gibeah” would become the people of Israel’s servants who “cut and gathered wood” and fetched “water” for them. Compliance with the leaders request would be in keeping with their promise given to the “men of Gibeah”, and we shall see how this works out in our next few verses. For now, let us be reminded that the leaders of Israel did not seek God in prayer before they believed the “men of Gibeah” and made this covenant with them. Perhaps all of this encounter with the “congregation” could have been avoided if they had only asked God. Regardless, God knows we make mistakes and often err from His perfect ways. This is sin which literally means “to miss the mark”. Everyone sins, and because those sins lead to death and separation from God, (See Romans 3:23; 6:23) God sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When we surrender our lives to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to help us make wise choices when we have an opportunity to make an alliance with others.
Next time we learn how Joshua asked the men, “Wherefore have you beguiled us?”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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