God brings good out of brokeness. #2
Yesterday we saw how the Gibeonites deceived Israel. They were actually a nearby city and had strong warriors, but they secured a treaty with Israelites (by deception) because they feared Israel's God. Joshua and the leaders were duped because they didn't consult the Lord, but they had to keep to the terms of the treaty.Ironically, the treaty between Israel and Gibeon posed a threat to the other five cities in the Southern part of the Promised Land who then formed a coalition and attacked Gibeon. Joshua was called to honour the treaty with the Gibeonites and God honoured Joshua and marched into battle with them. Our text tells how God rained hailstones on their five enemies and later we read that God even made the sun stand still so that the victory over their enemies could be complete.
The Gibeonites were deceptive and Joshua hadn't consulted God, but as they acknowledge their failures, God, in his mercy, brings good out of brokenness. (There is this beautiful moment where the Gibeonites explain their fearful faith to Joshua and surrender themselves: "They answered Joshua, "So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this. We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you." (Josh 9:24-25))
There are times when we rush ahead of God and times we act out of fear, but God's Providence isn't frustrated by our brokenness. The beautiful thing that happens here is how God uses the Gibeonite deception and resulting treaty to accomplish His purposes.
Joshua could have faced six battles: One with the Gibeonites and then with each of the five cities in the South of Palestine. Although the Gibeonites duped them, the duplicity led to the five city coalition and Joshua fights one battle instead of six and God fights for him. And now, in one event, the South of Palestine has been conquered.
In His great mercy, God uses brokenness and brings about good!
| Then the five kings of the Amorites--the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish and Eglon--joined forces. They moved up with all their troops and took up positions against Gibeon and attacked it. 6 The Gibeonites then sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: "Do not abandon your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings from the hill country have joined forces against us." 7 So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army, including all the best fighting men. 8 The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you." 9 After an all-night march from Gilgal, Joshua took them by surprise. 10 The LORD threw them into confusion before Israel, who defeated them in a great victory at Gibeon. Israel pursued them along the road going up to Beth Horon and cut them down all the way to Azekah and Makkedah. 11 As they fled before Israel on the road down from Beth Horon to Azekah, the LORD hurled large hailstones down on them from the sky, and more of them died from the hailstones than were killed by the swords of the Israelites. (Joshua10:5-11) |
