Surprising GraceRead Joshua 9:21 –27. How did Joshua’s solution combine justice withgrace?________________________________________________________________________________________________________Even if the people of Israel had wanted to attack the Gibeonites, theywould not have been allowed to pursue it because of the oath sworn bythe rulers of the congregation. The Israelite leaders acted according to theprinciple that an oath, as long as it does not involve wrongdoing or criminalintent (Judg. 11:29 –40), is binding, even if it leads to one’s personal hurt.In the Old Testament, being prudent before making an oath and thekeeping of one’s oath are seen as virtues of the pious (Ps. 15:4; Ps.24:4; Eccl. 5:2, 6). Because the oath was made in the name of the Lord,the God of Israel, the leaders could not change it.With the solemn oath taken by the leaders of Israel, the destiny ofIsrael was indissolubly linked to that of the Gibeonites. In fact, throughtheir designation as woodcutters and water carriers for the house ofGod (Josh. 9:23 ), the Gibeonites became part and parcel of Israel’sworshiping community. Joshua’s answer, in contrast to the verdict ofthe rulers of Israel, which decreed servitude for “all the congregation”(Josh. 9:21 , NKJV), transformed the curse into a potential blessing forthe Gibeonites (compare with 2 Sam. 6:11 ).The subsequent history of Gibeon testifies to the high religiousprivileges the city enjoyed, as well as to their loyalty to God’s people.The vow taken by Israel remained in place down through generations,so that when the Israelites returned from the Babylonian captivity, theGibeonites were among those who helped rebuild Jerusalem (Neh.7:25 ). Their actions will have eternally positive consequences but onlybecause of God’s grace.What might have happened had the Gibeonites disclosed their identityand requested mercy as Rahab did? We don’t know, but we cannot ruleout the possibility that even a consultation of God’s will could haveresulted in an exemption of the Gibeonites from destruction. God’sultimate purpose is not to punish sinners but to see them repent and togrant them His mercy (compare with Ezek. 18:23 and Ezek. 33:11 ). Thesubterfuge of the Gibeonites has to be perceived as an appeal to God’smercy, to His kind and just character. It was the Canaanites’ refusal torepent and their defiance of God’s purposes that led to the decision fortheir annihilation (Gen. 15:16 ). God honored the recognition of Hissupremacy by the Gibeonites, as well as their desire for peace rather thanrebellion, and their willingness to give up idolatry and to worship theonly true God.