Joshua 9:7-11
...But Joshua asked, "Who are you and where do you come from? They answered: "Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the Lord your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt, and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan-Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, 'Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say to them, "We are your servants; make a treaty with us."'
Was it necessary for the people of Gibeon to deceive the Israelites? It probably was according to our rationale, because God clearly instructed the Israelites to kill everyone in the land of Canaan. In fact, during the battle of Jericho, Achan merely kept some clothes and gold but was immediately executed so the Israelites were clearly not allowed to keep any people or things in Canaan. Also, judging from the victories by Israelites in both Jericho and Ai, Gibeonites didn't think they ad any chance with the Israelites. Therefore, they came up with a plan to deceive the Israelites, setting up a covenant so that they won't strike against the Gibeonites.
The question here is, if they don't deceive the Israelites, could they still survive? Today, many believes in the world are facing the same question in their daily life. Many Christians think they must follow the trend of the world at work. Actually, the way of the world is not the only way. God has prepared a way for those who belong to Him, and it's a way that is by faith and not by sight. If the Gibeonites would risk their life to seek peace with the Israelites, the Israelites will pray and seek God's will and God will guide the Israelites to give them mercy and spare them from been slaughtered.
Our God is not a God that gives death, but rather the Savior who resurrected from death! We must firmly believe that God will make way for those who humble themselves to depend on Him. Rahab risked her life to seek the protection by the Israelites, and God gave her mercy so that she and rest of her family were redeemed. When Abraham lived in the land to the south, he called his wife sister, so Abimelech married her; God, however, revealed to Abimelech and rebuked him for marrying someone else's wife. If God could use His authority to speak to a gentile king in order to rescue Abraham, God can certainly speak to the leader of Israel in order to rescue the Gibeonites. It might seem impossible to us, but nothing is impossible in God! Faith will help you to overcome all circumstance, surpass all hindrances and enter into His glorious riches!
Pray with Pastor Tong
Lord, please help our brothers and sisters to be determined. No matter what kind of choices they have to make in life, help them to be firm and to choose your way. Let us never compromise with the world, but to renew our strength from you! I thank you and I pray in the victorious name of Jesus, amen!
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