Grace That is Greater
Grace That is Greater
Joshua 10:6-8a And the men of Gibeon sent to Joshua at the camp in Gilgal, saying, “Do not relax your hand from your servants. Come up to us quickly and save us and help us, for all the kings of the Amorites who dwell in the hill country are gathered against us.” So Joshua went up from Gilgal, he and all the people of war with him, and all the mighty men of valor. And the LORD said to Joshua, “Do not fear them, for I have given them into your hands.”
I haven’t read much scholarship on the Gibeonite controversy that plays a central role in Joshua 9-10, but a pastor recently informed me that some biblical commentators actually accuse Joshua of compromising by not devoting these men to destruction, a suggestion that I believe Joshua 10:6 matter-of-factly overrules.
For one, just because God condemned all the people of this land to destruction doesn’t imply that all of them must necessarily be destroyed. That is, God can always offer mercy wherever and whenever He chooses. Isn’t that the gospel in a nutshell? “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” which means that we’re all born under condemnation unless God intervenes. “Whosoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life!,” wrote John in John 3:16. “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life,” wrote Paul in Romans 6. So, although these Gibeonites came to Joshua by deceitful means, which he punished them for, the essence of their covenant was faith, which he welcomed them for. I, for one, suggest that we glory in their redemption, seeing that the same mercy Who welcomes them welcomes us still today.
Finally, notice that Joshua can literally leave them here to die at the hands of their neighbors and justly rid himself of the burden their covenant has caused him. He can let these opposing kingdoms destroy the Gibeonites and effectively fulfill both covenants at once! If there’s been any stinging from the Spirit in his conscience regarding this issue, then surelyhe’d seize this opportunity as a lifeline from God’s hand! But no, there’s not even a hint of such deliberation. Not only does Joshua move immediately to fight on their behalf, but God responds to him not with condemnation but with commendation.