Why would any king, who had heard through the grapevine that the Israelite army could not and would not be defeated, dare to challenge it, especially when he knows the Gibionites managed to strike a peaceful deal? Pride, I’m guessing. Yes, the Gibeonites were alive, but they were an oppressed people group, subjected to fetching water and chopping wood for all eternity. From the sound of it, though, they kept their end of the bargain, hopefully joyfully and all the while perfecting their God-given traits, and were granted the right to stay in Gibeon. Verse 6 says messengers from Gibeon had to go to Gilgamesh to get Joshua. That’s how I came to that conclusion (not that it’s correct. It’s just what I read into it.) So, it was possible for the kings of Jerusalem and the whole slew of other cities to save their people, but rather than be subjected to rule under God’s army, they chose to sacrifice their entire kingdoms. Shame.
And that sun standing still thing. Amazing! If only we could get our hands on The Book of Jashar!
Writing prompt: phenomenon
Have you ever witnessed a phenomenon? I feel like this chapter contains one phenomenon after another. Take your pick of writing today: expand your thoughts on the phenomena of this chapter, or write about a phenomenon you’ve witnessed yourself.
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