Lesson Thirty Nine

THE GIBEONITES

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Memory Verse: Proverbs 12:22
Further Study:  Joshua 9; 10:1-15; Patriarch and Prophets: pp. 505-509; The Bible Story, vol. 3, pp. 96-101

Are you familiar with the term, “settle for less”? It can be used in relationships—don’t settle for less when selecting a marriage partner. Business—don’t settle for less than what you have paid for. Career—don’t settle for a job that does not bring fulfillment and satisfaction. In other words, aim high—get what you deserve.

Aim high—get what you deserve. Now this is secular thinking for the most part, but interestingly we find it in our story today. 

Now this is secular thinking for the most part, but interestingly we find it in our story today. Patriarchs and Prophets reveals that the Gibeonites were wealthy Hivites, living in a “royal city.” They, along with other Canaanite cities, had heard of the story of Israel and their God. While the other cities galvanized toward war, the Gibeonites went to Israel to ask for a treaty. But instead of doing it honestly with full transparency, they settled for deception. And it worked. For three days that is. When Israel discovered the ruse, while they did not attack Gibeon, they did “curse” them by making them slaves to Israel forever, by forcing them to serve the sanctuary as wood cutters and water carriers.

Certainly, this is an example of living life honestly. But to simply stop there is to miss a greater point. In making a treaty with Israel, the Gibeonites pledged to honor and serve Israel’s God. Israel was to conquer Canaan destroying all heathen nations, but there was an exception. The “stranger” who accepted God would be as “one born among you” (Lev. 19:33,34). The Gibeonites settled for less. Had they gone to Israel declaring their allegiance to God, they would have been accepted under the covenant with all the rights and privileges afforded Israel. In this, honesty really was the best policy.

The Gibeonites settled for less.

The Gibeonites, though, accept the consequences of their actions with much humility. Once wealthy and “royal,” they are now slaves. This is where we may miss the greater lesson—God’s grace. Yes, the Gibeonites “settled.” Yes, they were now slaves tasked with menial labor for the rest of their existence. But notice that where they were once “outsiders,” they are now closer in their proximity to God then even the children of Israel themselves. The sanctuary was where God resided. To be cursed to serve God at the sanctuary was to draw them into an inner circle close to the very presence of God. God’s grace was extended to those who did not come to Him in full understanding or trust. 

What an amazing God we serve! We stumble through our lives. We don’t trust in Him to provide for us. We don’t consult Him in all we do. We make mistakes. We are careless in our connection mixing the sacred and the common. And yet He welcomes us, not at a distance, but draws us into His inner circle, close to Him, in complete love and forgiveness. How can we not be renewed?

Digging Deeper 

When one settles for less they accept a life with limitations instead of soaring as high as one might go experiencing all that God has in store. Several Christian preachers and commentators (David Jeremiah and others) have coined the phrase, “Peter Pan Christians.” You may know the story of Peter who didn’t want to grow up, staying a boy forever. And while there are some of us who would like to go back to our childhood because it was “easier,” we know what we would have missed out on if we had never matured.

The idea of a “Peter Pan Christian,” is one who does not grow in Christ, one who fails to mature. The sermon on Sabbath is enough Bible study for the week. Watching the service online is easier than participating in the fellowship. Sleeping on Sabbath afternoons is the “rest” God offered at creation. While there is nothing wrong with a great sermon, remote services, or a good nap, to do this routinely is to miss out on what God has in store. We are to grow continually through Bible study, through service to others, and through being part of the fellowship of believers. 

Making it Real

To settle is sometimes also a compromise. We become comfortable in what we are doing, not realizing that we might be able to actually experience more. Think about what you do daily or weekly that allows you to grow in Christ. What could you do to make this experience even better? How could you adjust your day to allow more time in your Bible? In prayer? In praise? 

Respond & Share

I experienced God’s grace when ________________________.

Share with us in the comments below!

_________

Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being the grandmother of two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus.