Looking To See God’s Hand

The Expository Book Study of Joshua

Joshua 9: Verses 18 through 27        XIV) Looking To See God’s Hand

Week # 15     13 October 2010         Week # 39 of this Teaching Ministry

Joshua 9 (King James Version)

18And 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. 19But 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. 20This 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. 21And 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. 22And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us? 23Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God. 24And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing. 25And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do. 26And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not. 27And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

Dear Lord, thank You once again for the opportunity to open Your Word... Open our minds Lord that we might partake of this food You have laid before us. Let Joshua's story teach us and feed us once again that we might be full of Your spirit to overflowing. In Christ we Pray.... Amen.

"And the Children of Israel smote them not." This statement in verse 18 shows us that Israel as a people were up in arms about the Gibeonites being in close proximity of them. BUT, even greater than that - look at the strength in obedience Israel showed through their restraint. They honored the "leadership" that was over them. While they were upset, frustrated and mad, they honored the "princes" over them and the treaty or league they had made with the Gibeonites. They acted in one accord, they showed God honor in spite of the poor decisions and choices the nations leadership had shown in this matter. As we saw last week, Joshua and the tribal leadership within the Nation of Israel made poor and uninformed decisions without consulting their King, without considering His direction or knowledge of the situation. Israel knew that God Almighty gave this land to them, and that they were to seek out and destroy the sinful inhabitants.

God, knew the outcome, but we must ponder His Grace here, He held His hand from immediate judgment, unlike the situation with Achan. God allowed this situation or story play out, to teach both Israel and us yet another lesson in obedience. The people "murmured", they complained, they questioned the validity of the pact made with the people of Gibeon. The people saw the error, and spoke their peace - yet Honored God, by not acting on their emotions and frustrations.

Verse 19 shows us that the Leadership of Israel admitted to the "congregation" (the people of Israel) of their ill conceived deal with the people of Gibeon, and that it was sealed by an oath sworn by the Lord God of Israel. When you chase that trail, it also shows you the Faith, Grace and Mercy of God. He withheld His power, and showed tender mercies by not immediately punishing Israel - or Gibeon for that matter. God honored the oath by the Israeli leadership, he allow the people of Gibeon to live.

Verses 20 and 21, the tribe leaders spoke as one voice, one mind, one accord - that "no harm" should fall upon the people of Gibeon. The last part of verse 20 states "lest wrath be upon us". Who's wrath do you suppose they feared? Joshua's? The Gibeonites? No - it was God's wrath they feared. For they made their oath with these unclean people in their God's Most Holy Name... They feared Jehovah. My, my, there's a thought, these people actually had a "healthy fear" of the Lord God. So Israel did learn some things, they have seen the power of God in so many different instances in this new journey with Joshua. His existence and manifestations have left a indelible mark on these peoples minds / memories. This is yielding to the Authority of God. This is the beginning of obedience - BUT it is in no way a trend as of yet, as we will see later on.

In verse 22, 23 and 24; Joshua engages the people of Gibeon as a judge and jury. He declares and denounces their deceit, detailing the statement they made concerning them being people from a far away country. When in reality, they were living in and amongst the area that Israel was now inhabiting. He proceeded to rightfully curse these wicked people, then passed judgment binding the people of Gibeon to work as slaves for Israel. In verse 24, Gibeon responds with their defense for the action they took. Summing it up neatly - they were scared out of their wits of the almighty Jehovah. In their minds, their plight of slavery is better than total destruction and annihilation of their people.

Verse 25, 26 and 27 we see the Gibeonites concede to the judgment passed down by Joshua, and seeing it as fair, good and right. Joshua then follows through on his word, and delivers the people of Gibeon out of the angry hands of Israel, and they were not harmed. As verse 27 states, these people served as the water bearers, loggers / woodsman and servants of Israel and the Alter of God right up to the time this chapter was penned. This shows us that, to the day the story was penned, God honored the oath that Joshua and the Leaders of the Tribes of Israel made. God honored HIS Name, by allowing these people to live and serve the congregation of Israel.

If I were preaching tonight, there would be several points to tie into the framework of the message. Not the least of which would be God's over-abundance of Patience, Mercy and Grace. Not just for HIS people, but the Grace that is common to man that Paul spoke of. God saw the obedience in Israel by not rushing out and destroying Gibeon in spite of Joshua and the Leaders making the pact. God held judgment of Israel... Think about that for a second. Two chapters back, God allowed Israel to be defeated by Ai, because of the sins of One Man - Achan. Here in Chapter 9, JOSHUA and the Tribe Leaders made a significant journey off the approved company line established by God Himself.

BUT HE withheld immediate and decisive judgment, sharp contrast to chapter 7. God shows us His goodness, in dealing with the sin, which indicates “severity” from a human perspective. While sin is sin in God’s eyes, He acted on Achan’s violation of a direct command. While here with the people of Gibeon, they neglected to consult with the Lord God, and He showed them HIS goodness and Grace. God is amazing in how He teaches us the attributes of HIS character. He shows us awesome complete sovereignty in controlling the events on the field of battle in the 1st and 2nd encounter with Ai. Then HE shows us His Holiness in preserving HIS name, and honoring the oath that Israel swore. Finally, HE shows His infinite ability to shower us with Mercy and Grace. We truly worship and serve a HOLY and Mighty God. Let us forever Revere His Name and show Him Honor and Praise. Let this lesson be a reminder to us that if God chose not to show us HIS goodness, we would be consumed by the wrath of HIS judgment. We must work our faith with fear and trembling in the site of who we are without Christ’s blood!

READ MATTHEW HENRY’s COMMENTARY ON THIS PASSAGE.

Dear Lord God, thank you for the opportunity to see YOU tonight in the midst of this story from Your servant Joshua. Father, let the lesson learned tonight be one of Hope and Encouragement. That just as Moses petitioned You to hold Your hand of wrath from Israel; tonight we see where You showed both Israel and Gibeon your Mercy and Grace. Father, forgive us individually and as a congregation for our trespasses. Thank You for the Righteousness we stand in - provided by Your most precious and Holy Son. May we never forget YOU are HOLY, may we never forget YOU are RIGHTEOUS, may we never forget that You are to be Loved, Feared and Revered. Help us work out our faith as individuals and as a congregation with fear and trembling. As always Father, we will give You all the Praise, all the Glory and all the Honor for Your work in our lives. We bring these things to You in prayer, under You Strong Son's Name, in Jesus name we Pray - Amen...

My Reference Books for this Study:

(1) Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

(2) John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes

(3) The Gospel Way – David E. Pratte

(4) Clarke’s Commentary on Joshua

(5) Addresses on the Book of Joshua

     By: Harry A. Ironside

     1876 – 1951