Through the Bible Day by Day And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof; DECEIVED BY THE GIBEONITES Jos_9:1-15 The presence of common peril forced the nations of Canaan to combine for self-preservation. Would that the various sections of the visible Church might see their way to a similar policy in view of the evil in the world! Gibeon lay five miles north of Jerusalem. The name means “built on a hill.” The Church has suffered more from the wiles of the devil than from his attacks. The deceitfulness of sin is most to be dreaded. Better to meet Caiaphas than Judas, and a black devil than a white one. How often we act without asking the counsel of God! Yet when once an oath is taken which does not absolutely conflict with morality, God holds us to it, 2Sa_21:1. By this impressive instance we are taught to wait on God before making our decisions, which are apt to become irrevocable, Psa_127:2. And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them. “HEWERS OF WOOD AND DRAWERS OF WATER” Jos_9:16-27 The faith of these people was so far rewarded that, while their deception was punished by their reduction to the most menial tasks, yet their lives were spared; and, to a certain degree, they were incorporated with Israel and associated with the service of God’s house. This position made them as unlikely as possible to seduce Israel from loyalty to Jehovah. The Gibeonites were afterward known as Nethinim-that is, given. See 1Ch_9:2; Ezr_2:43; Ezr_8:20. If in the earlier part of your life you have made some great mistake which threatens to limit your influence for good, do not sit down in despair, but get service out of it. Let it hew your wood and draw your water! Through the Bible Day by Day by F.B. Meyer Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com. Used by Permission. Bible Hub |
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