Readings:
Joshua 9-10
Psalm 94
Luke 13

Joshua 9-10

The Gibeonites were a nearby tribe from among the Canaanite peoples, and they heard about what happened in Ai and Jericho, and the stories of the exodus from Egypt. So they figured, rightly so too, that to fight the Israelites was folly and would end in their destruction, but trying to make a treaty with them was useless too, so they played a deception on them that even Jacob would be proud of.

They came to the leaders and pretend to be a peace emissary from a far off land, and show all this falsified evidence to prove they were from afar. So they make a peace deal and covenant treaty with Israel, that they will not destroy them. The key point in this part is that they done this on their own without asking for so much as any input or advice from God.

When they find out the truth I’d imagine they were pretty upset, but being true to their word they were not killed, but the whole city was enslaved. At least it wasn’t a birthright on the line when the ruse was played back on the descendants of Jacob.

The king of Jerusalem hears about the treaty between Gibeon and Israel, so he forms a coalition of five kings to attack this new ally of Israel before they can go on offense together. This would’ve been a good idea, but unfortunately for these five kings they were going up against the creator of the universe. God fought for Israel against these kings and directly intervened with some miracles involved.

This whole campaign ends in disaster for these kings with all of them captured on the field of battle and being executed. Then their cities are captured and destroyed completely. Their tactics probably was the best play they had, but they didn’t really stand a chance.

Luke 13

Jesus uses a couple of recent mass casualty incidents to make a point. He asks about a group of Galileans killed at the temple by the Roman authorities and about some pilgrims who had a tower fall on them, he asks if they deserved it or if it was a wrong place wrong time type thing. The point is that bad things happen to both good and bad people, just like good things happen to both. The underlying point is that no matter what happens in this life, if you refuse to repent you will be destroyed like these two groups at the final judgment.

He then transitioned into a parable of an unfruitful tree. It’s owner thinks it will never bear fruit because it’s failed to for years, but the worker begs for more time and if it fails then they’ll uproot and destroy it. The tree represents old covenant Israel that’s been given all the opportunities in the world to repent and prepare the way for the coming kingdom but their fruit is failing.

Jesus tells them the parable of the narrow door, and it’s primary audience is the people seated in front of him of course, and they are primarily a Jewish audience. To them this parable is a direct warning that even though they’re the first to hear the gospel, and the first to be offered the chance at accepting the salvation on offer, they will be shut out for unbelief and it will be given to people from outside of Israel. It’s also a message to us, that we have to remain in him and do the will of the father by loving God and neighbor if we want to enter through that same door.

After this parable Jesus laments over the disbelief of Jerusalem and it’s willingness to shed righteous blood. They were offered every chance, and the next time he sees the city it will be during his passion when they’ll once again shed innocent blood and bring the condemnation of God down upon their city.

Readings:
Joshua 11-12
Psalm 95
Luke 14