Joshua 9:27
Arabic Simplified (الكِتاب المُقَدَّس: التَّرْجَمَةُ العَرَبِيَّةُ المُبَسَّطَةُ)
لَكِنْ فِي ذَلِكَ اليَوْمِ، جَعَلَهُمْ يَشُوعُ حَطَّابِينَ وَسُقَاةً لِبَنِي إسْرَائِيلَ وَلِمَذْبَحِ اللهِ فِي المَكَانِ الَّذِي يَختَارُهُ اللهُ. وَهَذَا هُوَ حَالُهُم إلَى اليَوْمِ.
What Does This Mean?
This verse tells us that Joshua made the Gibeonites hewers of wood and drawers of water for the Israelites and for the altar of the Lord. The Gibeonites were to perform these tasks for as long as the altar stood in the place chosen by the Lord.
Explained for Children
Imagine you're playing a game where you always have to bring snacks and water to your friends. The Gibeonites were like that, always bringing wood and water for the Israelites and for God's special place, just like you'd bring snacks and water for your friends during a game.
Historical Background
The Book of Joshua was likely written around 1400-1300 BCE by Joshua and other authors. It details the conquest and settlement of Canaan by the Israelites. The Gibeonites, through cunning, managed to avoid destruction by the Israelites and were instead assigned these menial tasks to serve the community and the altar.
Living It Out Today
In modern terms, this verse can remind us of the importance of service and how our actions can lead to unexpected outcomes. For example, a community project might start as a small act of service but could lead to a significant positive impact on the community.
Topics
serviceobediencecovenantcommunityworshiphistory
Related Verses
Frequently Asked Questions
What does hewers of wood and drawers of water mean?
Hewers of wood and drawers of water refer to the tasks of cutting wood and fetching water. These were essential but menial tasks in ancient times, often assigned to servants or those in a servile position.
Why were the Gibeonites assigned these tasks?
The Gibeonites tricked Joshua into making a treaty with them. As a result, instead of being destroyed, they were assigned these tasks to serve the Israelites and the altar of the Lord.
How does this relate to the altar of the Lord?
The tasks of hewing wood and drawing water were necessary for the maintenance of the altar and the rituals performed there, emphasizing the Gibeonites' role in serving the religious needs of the Israelites.
What can we learn from the Gibeonites' experience?
The Gibeonites' experience teaches us about the consequences of our actions and the importance of fulfilling our obligations, even if they are not what we expected or desired.