Keeping Our Oaths Made Before God

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

Keeping Our Oaths Made Before God

Date: Jul. 10, 2017

Passage

Joshua 9:16-27 (ESV)

16 At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors and that they lived among them. 17 And the people of Israel set out and reached their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. 18 But the people of Israel did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. Then all the congregation murmured against the leaders. 19 But all the leaders said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them. 20 This we will do to them: let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath that we swore to them.” 21 And the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, just as the leaders had said of them.

22 Joshua summoned them, and he said to them, “Why did you deceive us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you dwell among us? 23 Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you shall never be anything but servants, cutters of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.” 24 They answered Joshua, “Because it was told to your servants for a certainty that the LORD your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you—so we feared greatly for our lives because of you and did this thing. 25 And now, behold, we are in your hand. Whatever seems good and right in your sight to do to us, do it.” 26 So he did this to them and delivered them out of the hand of the people of Israel, and they did not kill them. 27 But Joshua made them that day cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD, to this day, in the place that he should choose.

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 9:19

But all the leaders said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them.

1. They decided to keep their oath (16-21)

The Israelites discovered, three days after making the oath, that they had been deceived. The Gibeonites were actually living near them and should have been driven out. When the Israelites pressed forward in battle, they spared the four cities of Gibeon. The leaders didn't like this, but, they decided that keeping their oath before God was top priority. By doing so they glorified God. Though they spared their cities, they decided to make them servants for the whole assembly.

2. Falling into the merciful hands of God (22-27)

Joshua was upset. He tried to place them under a curse (23). They were made slaves in the house of God. But God blessed them. They were saved from annihilation and they served a deeply meaningful and glorious role (Ps 84:10). Mankind is ready to curse, but God is ready to bless.

Prayer: Lord, it is not easy keeping oaths. But, grant us the strength to do so for the sake of your glory.

One Word: Keeping oaths brings glory to God

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references