Joshua 9:18,19
‘”But the sons of Israel did not attack them because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders. But all the leaders said to the whole congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.”‘
The Gibeonites had tricked Joshua and his crew into not following through and destroying them. The people were angry with them. They tell them that “we cannot touch them.”
I understand their anger. Part of me thinks they aren’t bound by this oath as it was based on deception. God doesn’t see it that way. He wanted the Gibeonites untouched.
Three hundred years later, king Saul and his family did harm to the Gibeonites. They sought to eradicate them from the land. It sounded like the bitterness of being fooled hadn’t subsided. I would venture to guess that when any one would see a Gibeonite they would utter a curse. Saul was performing an act that was popular with the people.
God punished Israel because of Saul and his sin. 2 Samuel 21:1 says, ‘During the reign of David there was a famine for three successive years, and David sought the face of the LORD. And the LORD said, “It is because of the blood shed by Saul and his family, because he killed the Gibeonites.”’
What can we take away from this? We are to fear God and keep His commands. Yes, God’s Word was given millennia ago, but He still means what He said. There will be a reaping of consequences if His Word is transgressed. God’s greatest endeavor what to make a way out for us by sending His Son as a sacrifice for sins. If we don’t take that we are lost in eternity.
Later in 2 Samuel 21 the consequences for this sin is laid out. ‘David said to the Gibeonites, “What should I do for you? And how can I make amends, so that you will bless the inheritance of the LORD?” Then the Gibeonites said to him, “For us it is not a matter of silver or gold with Saul or his house, nor is it for us to put anyone to death in Israel.” Nevertheless David said, “I will do for you whatever you say.” So they said to the king, “The man who destroyed us and who planned to eliminate us so that we would not exist within any border of Israel— let seven men from his sons be given to us, and we will hang them before the LORD in Gibeah of Saul, the chosen of the LORD.” And the king said, “I will give them”’, (3-6).
The sin was against Saul and his sons. Which means Saul did not act alone. His sons helped him. Time had passed when they had committed this sin. Saul and Jonathon had died. But his other sons were alive. God was grieved because of this sin. It would have gone unpunished if God hadn’t caused the drought. Which caused David to seek the Lord. After years God is bringing justice for the powerless. Seven of Saul’s sons were handed over to the Gibeonites and executed.
While no one likes death, it was justice for this people. The guilty were no longer around to bully and threaten them. God saw and brought protection. Deuteronomy 10:18 says, “He executes justice for the fatherless and widow, and He loves the foreigner, giving him food and clothing.”
James 1:27 says we are to care for the powerless, “Pure and undefiled religion before our God and Father is this: to care for orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.” The Gibeonites were guilty of treachery. We are all guilty of something. The poor, homeless or disadvantaged have their problems which may have put them in their situation. We aren’t to be judgmental as if we are guiltless. God knows our hearts. We have received freely, so we are to give (Matthew 10:8).
Lord, thank You for the Gibeonites. They crept in through the back door as many of us have. You took us in and adopted us as sons and daughters. You lifted us up. Help us not to forget where we came from and the sins we were forgiven.