Canaanite Tribe Deceives Israel
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by fraud, because they had “sworn unto them by the Lord God of
Israel.” “And the children of Israel smote them not.” The Gibeonites
had pledged themselves to renounce idolatry and accept the worship
of Jehovah, and the preservation of their lives was not a violation of
God’s command to destroy the idolatrous Canaanites. Though the
oath had been secured by deception, it was not to be disregarded. No
consideration of gain, of revenge, or self-interest can in any way affect
the inviolability of an oath or pledge. He that “shall ascend into the
hill of the Lord,” and “stand in His holy place,” is “he that sweareth to
his own hurt, and changeth not.”
Psalm 24:3
;
15:4
.
How the Gibeonites Made Themselves to Be Slaves
The Gibeonites were permitted to live, but were attached as bond-
men to the sanctuary to perform menial services. “Joshua made them
that day hewers of the wood and drawers of water for the congrega-
tion, and for the altar of the Lord.” These conditions they gratefully
accepted, glad to purchase life on any terms. “Behold, we are in thine
hand,” they said to Joshua; “as it seemeth good and right unto thee to
do unto us, do.”
Gibeon, the most important of their towns, “was a great city, as
one of the royal cities, ... and all the men thereof were mighty.” It is a
striking evidence of the terror with which the Israelites had inspired
the inhabitants of Canaan, that the people of such a city should have
resorted to so humiliating an expedient to save their lives.
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But it would have fared better with the Gibeonites had they dealt
honestly with Israel. Their deception brought them only disgrace
and servitude. God had made provision that all who would renounce
heathenism and connect with Israel should share the blessings of the
covenant. With few exceptions this class were to enjoy equal favors
and privileges with Israel.
Such was the footing on which the Gibeonites might have been
received. It was no light humiliation to those citizens of a royal city,
“all the men whereof were mighty,” to be made hewers of wood and
drawers of water. Thus through all their generations, their servile
condition would testify to God’s hatred of falsehood.