Faith Amongst Grasshopper HeartsSample

 God brings good out of brokeness. #2

Yesterday we saw how the Gibeonites deceived Israel. They were actually a nearby city and had strong warriors, but secured a treaty with Israelites (by deception) because they feared Israel's God. Joshua and the leaders were duped because they didn't consult the Lord, but they had to keep to the terms of the treaty.

Ironically, the treaty between Israel and Gibeon posed a threat to the other five cities in the Southern part of the Promised Land who then formed a coalition and attacked Gibeon. Joshua was called to honour the treaty with the Gibeonites and God honoured Joshua and marched into battle with them. Our text tells how God rained hailstones on their five enemies and later we read that God even made the sun stand still so that the victory over their enemies could be complete.

The Gibeonites were deceptive, Joshua didn't listen to God, but as they acknowledge their failures, God, in his mercy, brings good out of brokenness. (There is this beautiful moment where the Gibeonites explain their fearful faith to Joshua and surrender themselves: "They answered Joshua, "So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this. We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you." (Josh 9:24-25))

There are times when we rush ahead of God and times we act out of fear, but God's Providence isn't frustrated by our brokenness. The beautiful thing that happens there is how God uses the Gibeonite deception and resulting treaty to accomplish His purposes.

Joshua could have faced six battles: One with the Gibeonites and then with each of the five cities in the South of Palestine. Although the Gibeonites duped them, the duplicity led to the five city coalition and Joshua fights one battle instead of six and God fights for him.  

In His great mercy, God uses brokenness and brings about good!