And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do.
After their deception was exposed, the Gibeonites placed themselves in Joshua's hand under Israel's authority, asking him to do to them whatever seemed good and right in his judgment. Their submission involved renouncing heathenism and uniting with and joining Israel, and through that union they came to share in the blessings of the covenant. They gratefully accepted the preservation of their lives even at the cost of becoming bondmen serving the sanctuary.
Their submission to Jehovah preserved their lives, yet their deception brought disgrace and lifelong servitude as hewers of wood and drawers of water, a lasting sign of the consequence of falsehood. Had they dealt honestly, they could have joined Israel more fully and shared the blessings and privileges of the covenant as resident strangers. The assigned lowly work of hewing wood and drawing water was still acceptable service, showing that workers have different necessary roles from the lowliest to the most highly qualified.
After their deception was exposed, the Gibeonites placed themselves in Joshua's hand under Israel's authority, asking him to do to them whatever seemed good and right in his judgment. Their submission involved renouncing heathenism and uniting with and joining Israel, and through that union they came to share in the blessings of the covenant. They gratefully accepted the preservation of their lives even at the cost of becoming bondmen serving the sanctuary.
Their submission to Jehovah preserved their lives, yet their deception brought disgrace and lifelong servitude as hewers of wood and drawers of water, a lasting sign of the consequence of falsehood. Had they dealt honestly, they could have joined Israel more fully and shared the blessings and privileges of the covenant as resident strangers. The assigned lowly work of hewing wood and drawing water was still acceptable service, showing that workers have different necessary roles from the lowliest to the most highly qualified.