Fearing Israel, the Gibeonites put on disguises, pretend to be strangers from a distant land, and deceive Joshua into making a covenant with them (Joshua 9). Old wineskins and dry bread prove they came from a far country. Without consulting Yahweh, Joshua swears to protect them and they become servants to Israel (vv. 11, 23). They are a nation of Rahabs, changing loyalties in response to news about God’s powerful acts for Israel.
Specifically, they become “hewers of wood and drawers of water for the whole congregation” (v. 21), but this is specified later as “hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the house of Yahweh” (vv. 23, 27). That is, they become assistants to the priests, providing the wood for the altar fire and water for purification rites. They are permanent household slaves in Yahweh’s house, ears bored to hear their master. Not a bad gig, considering.
Israelites alone build the tabernacle, but Gibeonites help in the priestly service. It’s a glimpse into the future purpose of the house of God: When Solomon builds the temple, he gets help from Hiram of Tyre as he builds a house of prayer for the nations.
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