Moving from a Water Bearer to a Gatekeeper

Jos 9:21  And the princes said concerning them: 'Let them live'; so they became hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation, as the princes had spoken concerning them.

This is a very interesting story recorded here in the book of Joshua. The bible records that the citizens of Gibeon had heard the reports of victory over the towns of Jericho and Ai. Perhaps if we study, we might be able to understand why Joshua acted as he did in regards to Gibeon. The citizens formulated a plan and chose ambassadors to represent the town of Gibeon in negotiations with Joshua and Israel. I find it interesting that the citizens of Gibeon went to such extremes in order to fool Israel. They put old travel packs on the donkeys and used new wine skins with holes and aged to look like they had been on a long journey. They used old moldy bread,  everything one could imagine to convey that these men had traveled a great distance to make a peace treaty with Israel. They even dressed the men in old tattered clothing and shoes. These men looked like they had traveled perhaps hundreds or even thousands of miles when in actuality they traveled only 26 miles. One only has to examine the culture then and the culture today and find so many reasons why this plan would never succeed today.

The citizens of Gibeon counted on Israel honoring a covenant with their city. This speaks volumes of the difference between the generation of people then and the generation today. While people back then were known for their honor of covenants, today we are always looking for a way out of them. If Gibeon had attempted this deception in our time period, even if they were successful, the attorneys would be lined up to list the many reasons why the peace treaty should be invalidated. However, I would like to take a look at this story from a different angle. Why it worked. We know why it would not work today, but let's delve into why it worked then, and how that can benefit you today. The first and most obvious reason, the plan worked was because of the Gibeons. In order for a covenant to be successful you have to have a committed party. The Gibeons had heard of the overwhelming victory against Jericho. This was not a small feat. Jericho was a walled city and impenetrable. The shock waves of the falling of the walls of Jericho reverberated throughout the land. The citizens were immediately concerned. Then the town of Ai was totally destroyed. Not one of the wealthy treasure of Ai was taken, yet burned with the town. The secret to the success of the Gibeon plan was their commitment to the covenant that they presented to Joshua. They decided it would be better to be a slave to Israel than to be destroyed by them. The Gibeons were so committed to the covenant that they began their deceptive plan by choosing the right people for the job. Then with great forethought they thought everything through from food to clothing. Finally, they formulated a speech that would tempt the pride of Israel's leader.  

The bible records something very interesting. I believe it was because that was how the Ambassadors of Gibeon approached Joshua. 

Jos 9:3  But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, 

I believe the writers of Joshua explain the message used to sway the favor of Joshua. They appealed to Joshua's pride by stating we have heard of your victories over Jericho and Ai, Joshua. It also follows the conclusion as to why Joshua did not consult God about the proposed covenant. The mental framework of Joshua was believing these men were from a faraway land, so why not entreat these men. First, they complimented Joshua and to take away any suspicion that Joshua may have felt from the great and wonderful compliments, they began to brag about the greatness of his God. Joshua was confident in his decision to make a treaty with the Gibeons and Israel agreed with their leader.

Eventually, your sins will be shouted from the rooftop. That is exactly what happened to Gibeon. Israel found out the deceptions of Gibeon and they travelled to the city and confronted them. Joshua records an amazing fact that we have failed to teach. 

Jos 9:20  We must let them live to avoid the LORD'S anger because of the oath we swore." 

Jos 9:21  The leaders said that they should be allowed to live. So they became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation, as the leaders had said. 

Israel wanted to destroy them. Have you ever been a victim of a good con? A good prank? Your first instinct is I am going to kill you! Israel felt the same thing. However, Israel also had enough knowledge to realize that their own lack of wisdom and lack of honor was just as much a sin as the sin the Gibeons had committed. Israel never prayed and consulted God. Instead, they regarded a man, Joshua, rather than regarding God. Secondly, their God was a God of covenant.  In their covenant God had promised to bless them. Either, Israel believed in that or they didn't. History had instructed Israel that God would take a bad situation and turn it to there good if only they believed. Rather than killing the Gibeons and bringing a charge of dishonor against the nation of Israel and their God of covenants, Israel decided that the Gibeons could live and would be slaves to the nation. How did the Gibeons react? They were glad! It worked out exactly as they planned. This is what they wanted. And so, they were pressed into service, being water gatherers and wood cutters for the nation of Israel. If this was the end of the story I probably would have read it and said hmm..interesting and passed by this story. However, we see the Gibeons appear in the time of King David approximately 300 years later. Israel had experienced a famine for 3 years. Knowing that something was wrong, David sought the Lord and asked why was the famine coming against the Nation. 

Here is another lesson to be learned from this story. If there is a problem find out why you are having it. My wife is one, who after listening to someone complain about a health problem, will look online and search out what the problem may be according to the symptoms of the person. 

 I find it interesting that a terrible standard has been set by preachers and so-called prophets today, who will give their advice of why something is happening. Usually, it is because  of the sins of the nation and forsaking God. Rather than searching the symptoms and going to God in prayer, they begin their prophecies of doom. In this instance King David sought God. God told King David that the famine was happening because King Saul had killed the Gibeons. Now experts say that the actual killing is not covered in the scriptures. I think that with a little study and prayer you will find a different conclusion. 

Ezra 8:20  and of the Nethinim, whom David and the princes had given for the service of the Levites, two hundred and twenty Nethinim: all of them were mentioned by name 

King David had given the Nethinim to the Levites. What is the Nethinim? Strong's says that Nethinim is interpreted as one given. All the experts agree the Nethinim are the Gibeons. When King Saul was seeking to kill David another story is recorded that gives us insight to the fate of the Gibeons.

I believe that God had already promoted the Gibeons from slaves to temple gatekeepers. The priests that were slain in Nob were the Levites and their servants. Ezra records that David gave these servants to the Levites. I think this was a formality. An official act, that had not been conducted before, probably because of the scandal it could have created. However, with the killing of the Gibeons and knowing that the famine was in direct connection to this, David officially assigned the title of Nethinim to the Gibeons. After 300 years of slavery God had moved the Gibeons from water bearers to gatekeepers. 

What was the task of the gatekeeper? The gatekeeper had 9 basic duties

1-the gatekeepers were responsible for the gates on all four sides of the temple.

2-the rooms and treasuries of the temple.

3-opening the temple each morning.

4-bringing the serving vessels in and out of the temple and counting them each time.

5-caring for the temple furniture and other temple articles.

6-the fine flour, the wine, the oil, the incense and the spices.

7-the baked goods.

8-the baking of the shew bread.

9-making music through song and instruments.

It is most likely when David came to Nob and the Priest Ahimelech ordered the Shew bread to be given to David, one of the Gibeons gave him the bread. Most likely sealing his fate as he was witnessed doing so by Doeg the Edomite.

The final time we see the Gibeons/Nethinim mentioned in scripture is in Nehemiah. Nehemiah used the Nethinim to rebuild the temple. Where were they working? Of all places, the Water Gate. These water bearers were building the water gate. Nehemiah would later open the Torah and began reading it, where? At the water gate. All the people wept upon hearing the words of God. Hear we see the washing of the word at the Water Gate. Why was this story so interesting to me? Because, I was able to see how God took a deviant people from a life of slavery to a life devoted to Him. Not much different from you and I. You may not be able to see beyond your current scheme, but God can. He sees something greater in you that you can't see. Who knows? If you will simply trust in Jesus, God's Son, He will move you from a slave to sin, to a life with Him. What does it take to get there? First you have to have a party committed to the covenant. You're in luck. Jesus was so committed to this new covenant, He shed His holy blood just for you. Where the blood of the Gibeons brought a famine, the blood of Jesus brings abundance. While the Gibeons pledged to a Nation, Jesus pledges a Kingdom to you. The Kingdom of Heaven. Jesus will bring you from a slave to sin to a joint heir with Him. What are you waiting for? All it takes is you choosing Him today! He took care of everything so you can say I agree, I choose life in the Kingdom of Heaven.