Joshua 9 – Brandon Hatmaker “Role Player”
Tuesday, August 5th, 2008
“They answered Joshua, "Your servants were clearly told how the LORD your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. 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." So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the community and for the altar of the LORD at the place the LORD would choose. And that is what they are to this day.” – Joshua 9:24-27
There is a lesson to be learned from the Gibeonites. Probably not the lesson that says it’s okay to deceive others in order to save your own butt, but more so that they were willing to “Do whatever seems good and right”… even if it meant to be reduced to servants of the Israelites in order to be spared God’s wrath.
It’s a little too easy to say, “God I’ll do this, but only if it looks like this.” Are we really willing to surrender to whatever role God might have us play? That takes an amazing amount of humility and trust when our focus is on ourselves. But when we recognize the true power of God, it only seems logical.
For some odd reason I think of Kurt Rambis from the Lakers back in the 80’s. He didn’t look so athletic and wasn’t a starter. He didn’t get much glory and didn’t make many headlines. But he was a role player and he’s the proud owner of a few world championship rings. By putting on that uniform, he did something that superstars like Charles Barkley, Allen Iverson, Reggie Miller, Shawn Kemp, John Stockton, Patrick Ewing have not been able to do. He was on the winning team, still is, as an assistant coach. What a life.
Don’t miss it, the Gibeonites weren’t just servants of the Israelite community, they had the honor and privilege to be “woodcutters and water carriers… for the altar of the Lord, at the place the Lord would choose.” They got to serve the God they feared. And He spared their lives. What a life.
Just for fun… check out the link (you might have to cut and paste into your browser)... I miss the ole' days. I don't miss the shorts: www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7r6vXeOfyQ
Posts
Poor yet Generous
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Not long ago I was in line at a downtown Wendy's when a homeless guy cut in
front of me. He literally acted as if he didn't see me. He stepped up to
the co...
Classic. I was only 7, but I vividly remember that clothesline. And those shorts...thanks for branding the image of Kurt's pasty white thighs into my brain all over again. Sure wish I could unsee that...
ReplyDeleteBut I digress.
"The leaders were united in their response to the congregation: 'We promised them in the presence of the God of Israel. We can't lay a hand on them now..." - Joshua 9:19-20
Not only do we have a lot to learn from the Gibeonites, but we also get a stark reminder of what a promise in the presence of God really means.
How often do I make a deal only to break it, renegotiate, or mix it up because the circumstances around me changed?
"Well, I only meant that if...[fill in the blank] happened/did something/didn't work out."
I work in contract law and it's pretty much a given that should one party deceive, manipulate or not fully disclose the relevant facts to the other, any contract between the parties is rendered null and void.
The Israelites don't mess around with escape clauses...they gave their word before God and honored it - irrespective of the fact that it was given under false pretenses. There wasn't one objection in the room. Not one.
You must really love, fear and respect God a lot to live like that. And it's stuff like this that makes me wonder if I truly do.
14 The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what God would have told them to do if they had inquired of Him? How many times do we make a decsion on our own? You know, we are doing ok. We have won a couple of big battles. We can handle it. What we forget is that the reason we won the battles was because we asked the Lord how we should fight them. The Israelites didn't go to God with this one and it came around to bite them in the butt. I think it just shows us that we need to search God's will out no matter how many battles we have won.