Sunday 25 May 2014

tftd 24th May

We read in Joshua 10 of the cry for help from the Gibeonites, because the five kings of the land who sought to destroy them. The Gibeonites, and Joshua's treatment of them (in ch 9), foreshadowed the conversion of the Gentiles to the Hope of Israel. And the offer of grace through service as bondservants of Jesus in the temple (ecclesia) of God.

Chapter 10:6:
"And the men of Gibeon sent unto Joshua to the camp to Gilgal, saying, SLACK NOT thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us"

Joshua heeded to their call, and he and his men travelled through the night some 20miles in total darkness. Also consider that to get from Gilgal to Gibeon, they had to ascend up and over the backbone of the mountain ridge that runs down Israel, which would mean they had to ascend around 4,000 feet as they journeyed to help the Gibeonites. And this all before they then had to fight a battle!

The Hebrew "slack not" is to faint, they certainly didn't faint. The Septuagint uses the Greek of the same meaning which is used in Galatians, and has great exhortation for us.

To what effort and discomfort to ourselves do we go to, to help and to save our brethren in times of trouble?

Gal 6:9
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we FAINT NOT. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith"

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