Joshua 9:24-27
They answered Joshua, "Your servants were clearly told how the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this. We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you." So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the Lord at the place the Lord would choose. And that is what they are to this day.
God truly blesses those who humbly call on His name. Throughout generations, this principle has never changed. Gibeonites came to seek peace and were even willing to be servants of the Israelites, and that shows their humility. They also admitted that what they did was wrong before the Israelites and didn't try to defend them. Most importantly, they showed their obedience to God. Even though they didn't know God yet, they did hear about all the signs and wonders through the Israelites. Therefore, they were filled with fear for God and willing to submit to Him. In verse 25, when they responded to Joshua, it was not an easy thing to say. You might think that the Gibeonites consisted of old and weak solders who had no choice but to seek peace, but according to verse 10:2 in the town of Gibeon "all its men were good fighters." It was more precious that they were willing to humble themselves to call on the name of Jehovah. Those who are humble are truly blessed; the Bible tells us again and again that "God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble." When the Gibeonites humbly sought God, God started to bless them in many ways.
First of all, their lives were turned around because they called on God. They were supposed to die, but they were spared from the judgment of death. Second, they became God's servants in His house, which was a tremendous blessing. Even though they were just woodcutters and water carriers, Psalm 84:10 says that "I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked." In God's eyes, all ministries are equal, because He only examines our faithfulness. A servant of God, even as woodcutters and water carriers, will still be blessed. Therefore, do not trivialize your own gifts and positions; since God has placed you in your ministry position, He will bless you on this position as long as you are faithful. Third, the book of Ezra mentioned about the temple servants, who are the descendants of the Gibeonites, and they were even listed together with the descendants of Israelites! Gibeonites served God faithfully for generations, and thus they were lifted up to enjoy the same grace of God as the people of Israel, God's chosen people. We thank God, because He will surely bless those who humbly call on Him!
Pray with Pastor Tong
Lord, please grant us a humble heart to call on you. May your spirit open our eyes so that we can see your mercy and grace through the Gibeonites. Let us also have a firm faith to believe that those who humbly call on you will be blessed by you. I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!
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