Grafting in the Gibeonites

Links for today’s readings:

Read: Joshua 9 Listen: (3:46) Read: Ephesians 1 Listen: (3:10)

Scripture Focus: Joshua 9.24-27

24 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. 25 We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.” 26 So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. 27 That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the Lord at the place the Lord would choose. And that is what they are to this day.

Romans 11.17-22

17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.

22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.

Reflection: Grafting in the Gibeonites

By John Tillman

The Gibeonites didn’t originate the phrase “If you can’t beat them, join them,” but they lived it.

I was first introduced to this aphorism when Yosemite Sam, representing the British army, could not defeat Bugs Bunny, representing the American revolutionaries, and determined to join the revolution instead.

The NIV says the Gibeonites “restored to a ruse.” The NASB says, “acted craftily” and the NLT, “resorted to deception.” (Joshua 9.4) The translated phrase has negative aspects of cunning and deception, however, it can also mean prudence, discretion, or even wisdom.

Gibeon is the third of three stories of deception or betrayal in the early chapters of Joshua. Rahab betrays Jericho, Achan betrays Israel, and the Gibeonites betray Canaan’s other kings. These stories illustrate what Paul would later write about the “tree” of Israel—unfaithful branches will be broken off and “wild” branches grafted in. (Romans 11.17-24) Achan is broken off while Rahab and Gibeon are grafted in. As Peter would learn, God accepts from any nation ones who fear him and do what is right. (Acts 10.35)

People sometimes think that the “Old Testament God” and “New Testament Jesus” are two different beings. One is murderous. The other is merciful. One is violent. The other is virtuous. Let not faulty human logic separate Yahweh, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit. They are one. These stories show that they are. The hard-hearted face justice. The repentant find mercy. The proud perish. The humble escape.

The Gibeonites had the right idea, even if they did it in a wrong way. God accepted them, even though they didn’t deserve it, just like Jesus accepts us. Israel had the right idea to accept them, even if they did it for wrong reasons and never fully included them.

There’s probably someone in your life who thinks, like the Gibeonites, they’ll never be accepted by God as their true selves. They don’t know God but they see what is said about him and what is said about them. Perhaps they will just harden their hearts against God, like the other Canaanites hardened their defenses. But perhaps they will come to you, maybe with the wrong reasons, maybe in the wrong way.

If they do, find in your heart the same grace for them that God showed the Gibeonites. Those who come to Jesus in repentance won’t be second-class community members. They will be fully accepted family members.

Remember, you don’t deserve to be grafted in either.

Divine Hours Prayer: The Refrain for the Morning Lessons

Happy are they who fear the Lord, and who follow in his ways!
You shall eat the fruit of your labor; happiness and prosperity shall be yours. — Psalm 128.1-2

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Summer
by Phyllis Tickle

Read more: Ask and Keep Asking

By God’s sovereignty, not only the Ephesians but we are included in Christ by hearing and believing the gospel of salvation.

Read more: Becoming Part of the Promise

Rahab the Canaanite prostitute becomes a part of the Abrahamic promise…No situation is hopeless and no person is doomed to destruction who turns to God.

The Consequence of Carelessness — Readers’ Choice

Readers’ Choice Month:
In August, The Park Forum looks back on our readers’ selections of our most meaningful and helpful devotionals from the past 12 months. Thank you for your readership. This month is all about hearing from you. Submit a Readers’ Choice post today.

Today’s post was originally published, July 7, 2021, based on readings from Joshua 9 and Psalm 140.
It was selected by reader, John from Singapore.
“Insightful!”

Scripture Focus: Joshua 9:14
14 The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.

Psalm 140:1-3
1 Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers;
    protect me from the violent,
2 who devise evil plans in their hearts
    and stir up war every day.
3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s;
    the poison of vipers is on their lips.

Reflection: The Consequence of Carelessness — Readers’ Choice
By Erin Newton

There are times when the monotony of life creates an apathy toward caution. Each day is much like the last; one activity looks the same as the next. We grow comfortable in our abilities and go about our day with no need of counsel.

Joshua led the Israelite army against city after city. The mistake of Achan’s sin seemed to have been reversed with the defeat of Ai. However, the pattern of error had already taken root. Some of their enemies formed an alliance, but the Gibeonites chose an alternate method: lie and gain Israel’s protection through deception. With much planning, the ruse was set. The Israelite leaders took a cursory glance and trusted the Gibeonites’ claim. Regrettably, they did not seek God’s counsel. They were blind to the false pretense and propaganda before them. This lapse in judgment bound the Israelites with their enemy. Hastiness produced errors.

Psalm 140 presents a plea for protection, asking God for wisdom to discern evil plans and cunning words. The psalmist likens the words of an enemy to the poisonous, sharp tongue of a viper. The craftiness of the serpent in the Garden strikes again in the Promised Land through the Gibeonites.

Why did the leaders fail to inquire of God? Why do we? Is it apathy, busyness, or pride? Our lives are plagued with rash decisions because we operate at high speed. We are convinced of our abilities and fail to lay our lives before God. Are we neglecting God’s counsel because we do not want to deny ourselves certain things?

C. S. Lewis describes the gentle slope toward evil through his fictional story of demonic correspondence in The Screwtape Letters: “It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards do the trick.”

Israel’s tendency toward neglect would be a festering wound resulting in more errors and consequences. If we do not open every corner of our lives to God, we will likely slip unknowingly into a pact with the enemy. We will be duped by anyone with persuasive words. We must remember to seek God’s counsel and see through deception. 

Joshua honored the covenant Israel made in error. Ultimately, the Gibeonites remained part of the Israelite community for centuries. Even though humanity errs, God redeems. 

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
Hide not your face from your servant; be swift and answer me… Draw near to me and redeem me… Psalm 69.19-20

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle

Today’s Readings
1 Samuel 11 (Listen – 2:43)
Romans 9 (Listen – 5:15)

Read More about Readers’ Choice 2021
Have we heard from you yet? Tell us about posts from the past year (September 2020 – July 2021) that have helped you in your faith.
https://forms.gle/ozM13qvW9ouSWhJS7

Read more about ​​The Idol of Control
True peace comes from trusting in the wisdom, plan, and counsel of God…we must ensure that we listen first and foremost to God’s wisdom.

The Consequence of Carelessness

Scripture Focus: Joshua 9:14
14 The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.

Psalm 140:1-3
1 Rescue me, Lord, from evildoers;
    protect me from the violent,
2 who devise evil plans in their hearts
    and stir up war every day.
3 They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent’s;
    the poison of vipers is on their lips.

Student Writers Month:
This month, The Park Forum welcomes college and seminary student writers pursuing ministry careers. For more info about our yearly Student Writer program, see our website.

Reflection: The Consequence of Carelessness
By Erin Newton

There are times when the monotony of life creates an apathy toward caution. Each day is much like the last; one activity looks the same as the next. We grow comfortable in our abilities and go about our day with no need of counsel.

Joshua led the Israelite army against city after city. The mistake of Achan’s sin seemed to have been reversed with the defeat of Ai. However, the pattern of error had already taken root. Some of their enemies formed an alliance, but the Gibeonites chose an alternate method: lie and gain Israel’s protection through deception. With much planning, the ruse was set. The Israelite leaders took a cursory glance and trusted the Gibeonites’ claim. Regrettably, they did not seek God’s counsel. They were blind to the false pretense and propaganda before them. This lapse in judgment bound the Israelites with their enemy. Hastiness produced errors.

Psalm 140 presents a plea for protection, asking God for wisdom to discern evil plans and cunning words. The psalmist likens the words of an enemy to the poisonous, sharp tongue of a viper. The craftiness of the serpent in the Garden strikes again in the Promised Land through the Gibeonites.

Why did the leaders fail to inquire of God? Why do we? Is it apathy, busyness, or pride? Our lives are plagued with rash decisions because we operate at high speed. We are convinced of our abilities and fail to lay our lives before God. Are we neglecting God’s counsel because we do not want to deny ourselves certain things?

C. S. Lewis describes the gentle slope toward evil through his fictional story of demonic correspondence in The Screwtape Letters: It does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards do the trick.

Israel’s tendency toward neglect would be a festering wound resulting in more errors and consequences. If we do not open every corner of our lives to God, we will likely slip unknowingly into a pact with the enemy. We will be duped by anyone with persuasive words. We must remember to seek God’s counsel and see through deception. 

Joshua honored the covenant Israel made in error. Ultimately, the Gibeonites remained part of the Israelite community for centuries. Even though humanity errs, God redeems. 

Divine Hours Prayer: The Request for Presence
Let those who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; let those who love your salvation say forever, “Great is the Lord!” — Psalm 70.4

– Divine Hours prayers from The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime by Phyllis Tickle

Today’s Readings
Joshua 9 (Listen – 3:46)
Psalm 140-141 (Listen – 2:44)

Read More about Readers’ Choice 2021
It is time to hear from you about the posts from the past eleven months (September 2020 – July 2021) that have challenged, comforted, and helped you find new meaning in the scriptures.

https://forms.gle/ozM13qvW9ouSWhJS7

Read more about The Idol of Control
True peace comes from trusting in the wisdom, plan, and counsel of God…we must ensure that we listen first and foremost to God’s wisdom.