牧者心聲 Pastor's Message
05/31/2009
Pastor’s Page: The Gibeonites Avenged (2 Samuel 21.1-14)
This is one of those interesting stories that we can find in the OT.
After King Saul fails at his attempt to annihilate the Gibeonites, which
was against a vow the Israelites had made with the people earlier, seven
of King Saul's descendants were given over to the Gibeonites as a type of
compensation or peace offering. But as you read this story, one may see
this is as an unfair response for those seven men listed. What are these
men guilty of? Could they trade livestock instead of those seven men, to
be murdered? Why was Mephibosheth spared? Why should the Israelites
have even consented to a promise by a people made under false pretenses?
One of the reasons is that the vow was made in God's name.
Something not to be made or taken lightly. Or consider the fact that there
was a famine. Things are not as they seem. Sometimes, all the
information we have is still not enough, so we cannot jump to
conclusions. Why? Because the men involved were in King Saul's
household. This means that they followed King Saul. This explains why
their names are given in the passage. Their hands were guilty of assisting
King Saul in the attempted genocide of the Gibeonites. They killed many
Gibeonites instead!
We can often jump to conclusions when we think we have all the
information, when in fact, we are still missing important facts. It is
therefore critical that we seek to find all the answers before we make any
hasty judgments as this can lead one to look immature and foolish
instead. And in this case, God was also involved, as the famine was lifted
once reprimands were made. Rather, as Christians, we should follow
James' instructions. In doing so, we will not deceive ourselves and others,
but be a blessing instead!
“19 My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to
listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20for man's anger does
not bring about the righteous life that God desires” (James 1.19-20)
Brother Ben
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