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| File No. 42 |
| JOSHUA 9:1 – 10:27 |
| THE MEN OF
GIBEON / WHEN THE SUN STOOD STILL
Printable
Version  |
| (SBS Bk 2 Story No. 6 & 7) |
| Story Notes |
| The Gibeonites were as surely defeated
as Jericho and Ai were, but preserved their lives by craftiness.
Israel’s leaders, including Joshua, were remiss in not
seeking the will of God about the Gibeonites. but they
made the best of their situation by gaining some slaves
for menial tasks. So Israel’s life thereafter included
conditions that were the result of their failures, as
always happens, but these were made to serve the worship
of God and the welfare of his people. |
| Israel’s new obligation, because of
their covenant with the, Gibeonites, now became part of
the program of God for the defeat of other surrounding
cities. It must have been comforting to Israel to hear
the Lord say: ‘Do not fear for I
have given them into your hand’. They did not have
any less of God or his gracious reign because of the alien
element in their borders. In fact, God assisted the warriors
with hail, and Joshua was bold to ask God for extra time
in which to defeat their enemies, and all this, at Gibeon.
The five kings were trapped for later treatment while
Israel pursued their prey. |
| The discipline of Ai and Gibeon had
served Israel well and now, they simply carried out what
God had given them to do. The wickedness of the Amorites
was full (Gen. 15:16) and their end had come. This was
no mere conquest but a judgment. |
| God has promised an inheritance to
all who turn to him, and he will destroy every power that
resists his preparing that inheritance (I Pet. 1:3-5).
In the mean time, as Paul demonstrated, the church is
to take every thought captive to Christ (II Cor. 10:3–6). |
| © Grant Thorpe 2000 |
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