Joshua 9:27
And 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. And 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.
Joshua 9:27 belongs to the treaty account in which the Gibeonites used a stratagem to preserve their lives, and Israel made peace with them and let them live. Joshua assigned them that day to serve the congregation and the altar of the Lord as cutters of wood and carriers of water. They became bondmen attached to the sanctuary, accepted these terms gratefully, and their descendants remained connected with sanctuary service for centuries.
The verse shows that the Gibeonites renounced their heathen religion, joined Israel and became part of Israel, sharing in the blessings of the covenant. They could have renounced heathenism and shared the blessings and privileges of the covenant as resident strangers without resorting to deception. Their chosen deception brought disgrace and perpetual servitude through their generations, and their condition testified to God's hatred of falsehood.
Their lowly work was still acceptable service, illustrating that different workers have distinct places to fill and that people of varied abilities and education can each contribute to the work of saving souls.