TREASURES OF THE BIBLE, Week of October 4 to 10, 2021, “What do we learn from the story of the Gibeonites?”, Prepared Speech.

TREASURES OF THE BIBLE, October 4-10, 2021, “What do we learn from the tale of the Gibeonites?” Prepared Speech.

"What do we learn from the tale of the Gibeonites?" (10 mins.)

Some years ago I heard this expression if you want something good, you must sacrifice something good. And that is true. We cannot get something worthwhile without due sacrifice. And we are going to talk about that in this section of treasures of the Bible with the topic: What do we learn from the story of the Gibeonites?

At least we will talk about three things. First, that when we see a situation we must show good judgment and be insightful. That is, to see a little beyond the situation that we are about to live or that we are experiencing. Second, that before making decisions that affect our relationship with Jehovah, we need to be careful.

Consult with Jehovah, that is, review what his word says, the publications and make the decision so that everything goes well. And third. We must always be humble to earn Jehovah's approval. Let us examine each of these points and for this we use the account of the Gibeonites.

Show good judgment: How did they do it? They had listened, as there had been acts that frightened, that astonished, such as the conquest of two places that were very important in that sector, in that land.

So they saw that the situation was so delicate that, so to speak, it was their turn and they needed to act quickly. They showed good judgment before Israel came to touch them.

LET'S READ: Joshua 9: 3-6

The people of Gibeon also learned what Joshua had done to Jerichoph and Ai. 4 So they were clever and loaded their donkeys with provisions that they put in worn sacks, and with spent wine skins that had already burst and were mended. 5 They also wore worn and patched sandals, and their clothes were worn. All the bread in their provisions was dry and crumbly. 6 So they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land. Make a pact with us ”.

Here we see a nation that demonstrated good judgment. Why? Because they were included among the seven nations that were to be annihilated. They realized that no matter the military strength they had and the greatness of their city, the resistance on their part would not help because it was already judged beforehand.

So after they realized the might of Israel with the support of Jehovah, they decided to make a delegation and go to Joshua and the elders to ask for peace. Those who were sent brought clothing and food already in unpleasant condition to imply that they lived far away.

However, according to the book Insight, the Gibeonites were relatively close to the Israelites. They were undoubtedly afraid and that was one reason why they resorted to this method. But what stands out most is that, apart from fear, they must have had the assurance that Jehovah was going to do what he had said.

That is, they trusted Jehovah that no one would really stop that absolute power from this God. And that's why they directly went and said "Make a pact with us." They did not say we want to make a covenant, but the Israelites make a covenant with us. Because they knew they had everything to lose.

Good judgment is important when making decisions, brothers. Let us look at things beyond what we have in our sight and perceive that there are certain situations that could harm our relationship with Jehovah and that is why we want to anticipate the facts before that beautiful relationship is affected.

The second point we will look at is whether we are going to make decisions that will affect our friendship with God. We need to consult first with his Word and also with the publications. That was not done by the elders of Israel or Joshua.

LET'S READ: Joshua 9: 14-15

With that, the men of Israel took some of their provisions, but did not consult Jehovah. 15 So Joshua made peace with them and made a pact with them to keep them alive, and that is what the chiefs of the people assured them in an oath.

Well, some men show up, clothes worn, food in poor condition, saying that they are inhabitants of a very distant place, and the error of these elders, including Joshua, is what he says at the end of verse 14, “They did not consult with Jehovah". If they had, they would have learned that this was a hoax.

Now Jehovah did not intervene because he also wanted to see the situation as it unfolded. Furthermore, he did not even disapprove of this action because he let everything continue to flow and later even Jehovah helped the Gibeonites when they were going to be attacked for having made this covenant of peace.

Well, it did one of the most sublime things, like one of the miracles that stopped the rotation of the earth. When Joshua said that the sun should stand still and Jehovah agreed to that request. So even though Jehovah agreed.

This teaches us that no matter how long we are in the organization, as indicated here as well, not even seasoned elders like Joshua and other seasoned elders like Joshua and the other elders of Israel should make hasty decisions without consulting what they say. Jehovah says on a certain point. Therefore, before making a decision that affects our relationship with Jehovah, let us be careful.

Let us first consult with his Word and the guidelines of the organization. Let's look at the third point. Why show humility? what the Gibeonites did demonstrated precisely this quality, humility.

LET'S READ: Joshua 9: 25-27 

And now we are in your hands. Do with us what you think is good and right ”. 26 And that's what he did to them; He rescued them from the hands of the Israelites, and they did not kill them. 27 But on that day Joshua imposed on them the duty of gathering wood and fetching water for the people and for Jehovah's altar in the place he chose, and that is what they continue to do to this day.

When they were discovered in their deception, they realized that they were only thirty kilometers away from where Israel was at that time. When Josué was discovered, did he take certain corrective measures? The covenant was not broken because it was an oath and having done so would have called into question the trustworthiness of Israel and caused the name of Jehovah to be despised among the other nations.

Upon being discovered, he says "Let him do what he wishes with us." And they had to do something that could be too humble to collect firewood and draw water. But for what? Well, although it seemed like a punishment. However, it was for the altar of Jehovah, that is, a punishment that few or no Israelites could have if they were not from a special tribe.

The attitude of the Gibeonites teaches us very well that we want to demonstrate good judgment when making decisions, to be careful when we are going to make important decisions in our life in relation to our service to Jehovah and we want to be humble, do humble tasks.

It is not contempt, it is rather allowing ourselves to serve Jehovah. There are so many humble tasks that we can do in the congregation, from helping in the maintenance of the Kingdom Hall, in cleaning, in taking care of the premises. There are things that others would say is a lowering of a human being.

We are serving Jehovah and very few people in the world have that. Let us then continue to view this account of the Gibeonites as something worth imitating, and in this way we too will earn Jehovah's approval.