With the Torah’s completion and all 613 Commandments in writing, the Children of Israel’s tale- post-Pentateuch- continues. As Joshua leads them through the conquest of the Promised Land, he is also confronted with issues of commandment adherence, interpretation. This post addresses the Gibeonite crisis.
Fearful of the Children of Israel and what they had done to other Canaanite inhabitants, the Gibeonites, locals, approach the Men of Israel to avoid conflict. When they do, they disguised themselves to be travelers from afar. The Gibeonites requested to make a covenant with Israel.
The Men of Israel, not realizing the deception, entered into an agreement with Gibeonites. In closing the deal, however, the Men of Israel did not ask for the word the Lord. Joshua 9:14. As a result, “Joshua made peace with them and sealed a covenant with them to let them live; the leaders of the assembly swore to them.” Joshua 9:15.
The Gibeonite’s ruse was eventually uncovered. The Children of Israel, however, did not smite the Gibeonites because the leaders of the assembly had sworn to them by The Lord. As a result of the dealing, Israel’s entire assembly took issue against their leaders. The leaders asserted that they [the Gibeonites] should live because of the oath that they had sworn. At that point, it was reported that the Gibeonites had become the woodchoppers and water drawers for the entire assembly.
Joshua, in addressing the matter, made the Gibeonites not only the woodchoppers and water drawers for the assembly but also for The Lord’s Altar. Joshua 9:26-27. With that, the dispute was resolved.
This episode details the importance of “swearing” in biblical times. While the commandment to not use the Lord’s name in vain does not resonate in modern times, it was valued in antiquity. This story relects upon the nature of interactions between the Children of Israel and other individuals. Did Israel’s adherence to this commandment bring value to their dealings with others?
With the Gibeonites, the crisis crisis was resolved via employment of both a factual analysis as well as a legal one. While the Men of Israel felt that the need to honor the sworn agreement as to not violate the Ten Commandments, there had not been a complete agreement made by both parties. Since the Gibeonites had not sworn to the contract, an argument was made that “their” part of the contract could be amended. As such, Joshua added to their roles as woodchoppers and water drawers in the contract. The commentator Malbim noted that the new condition was a way of keeping the oath in effect and protect the Gibeonites. The Rubin Edition, The Prophets, P. 48.
In sum, Joshua’s time required the establishment of treaties and contacts. As such, the commandment’s provision to not use the Lord’s name in vain
Be well!!
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