Chop the Wood and Haul the Water

O. T. #464 "Chop the Wood and Haul the Water"
February 20,2015
Joshua 9-Part 2
They continued, "Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community."  Joshua 9:21 NIV

LET IT GLOW

Have you lived in a time or place that required your family members chopping wood for heating the house and/or cooking and hauling water from a spring or well for the water used inside the house?
Perhaps we read in books of pioneers doing those tasks when they settled in the wilderness of early America. My grandparents did those things for their daily living.
Well, it is still present tasks today. Many people burn wood for heat in stoves or fireplaces. We did until last year. My husband and son used a chain saw for cutting the wood and hauled it to the front porch. (I picked up smaller pieces of wood for starting the fire.) This was done to cut down on the use of expensive propane gas out here in the countryside. Years ago, my  in laws lived in a place where they had to carry water inside from the spring.
We may consider those tasks that servants would do as Israel did in today's story. Read on, dear ones.

We talked about the coalition of kings in the southern Canaan region who joined the king of Gibeon. Gibeonites deceived Joshua and the Israeli leaders by poising a men traveling from a far country. This was so Israel would not attack them, but make a peace treaty with them. The deception worked, based on circumstantial evidence. They should not have trusted their judgment, but should have consulted the Lord about the situation, which they did not do.
Since the oath was obtained by fraud, Israel could have declared it null and void. However, they did not do so, because it would have made them look untrustworthy in keeping their word, and shaming God. This resulted in Israel promising to protect Gibeon.

Then Israel had to figure out what to do with the inhabitants of the town of Gibeon. They made servants of the people of Gibeon. They chopped wood and hauled the water needed for the worship of God, as well as the entire community. The wood was used to burn sacrifices on the altar and water was for the washing of hands and cleaning the basins. (The tabernacle was not yet built in the Promised Land.)

When we disobey God's Word or directions for us, do we make amends? Do we accept the consequences of it?

LET IT GROW

What can we learn from this?

• Seek God's wisdom and guidance whenever a new situation arises.
• Follow what we know is the right thing to do according to the Bible.
• Change my plans into His plans.
• Learn from past mistakes and others' mistakes, too.
• When possible, keep the oath we take. (Levit. 5:4; 27:2, 28)
• Look at the situation objectively.
• Don't allow others to influence our decisions, which are contrary to God's Word.

LET IT GO

Don't be friends with the world.

Change friends when they hinder my serving God.

Stand up for Jesus.