And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not.
Joshua intervened for the Gibeonites to rescue them from the Israelites so that they were not put to death. In doing so he honored the league that had been made with them and upheld its protection even after their fraud was exposed. Their lives were preserved through submission to Jehovah, for in renouncing heathenism they cast themselves upon Israel and were united with God's people. That union brought them into a share of the blessings of the covenant, revealing divine mercy toward idolaters who acknowledge God's authority.
Though spared, they did not escape the consequence of their deceit, which brought disgrace upon them and consigned them to perpetual servitude as cutters of wood and carriers of water. Their appointed labor as hewers of wood and drawers of water demonstrates that a humble and separate place of service may yet be filled with usefulness and success.
Joshua intervened for the Gibeonites to rescue them from the Israelites so that they were not put to death. In doing so he honored the league that had been made with them and upheld its protection even after their fraud was exposed. Their lives were preserved through submission to Jehovah, for in renouncing heathenism they cast themselves upon Israel and were united with God's people. That union brought them into a share of the blessings of the covenant, revealing divine mercy toward idolaters who acknowledge God's authority.
Though spared, they did not escape the consequence of their deceit, which brought disgrace upon them and consigned them to perpetual servitude as cutters of wood and carriers of water. Their appointed labor as hewers of wood and drawers of water demonstrates that a humble and separate place of service may yet be filled with usefulness and success.