The discussion on Jethro and the Gibeonites

[appy]

This thread is a continuation of the conversation concerning Jethro and the Gibeonites. I thought it better to open another thread rather than derail the opster's question further.

 

On 4/6/2021 at 3:43 AM, JohnD said:

I also made the point that Jethro was a priest in a pagan land. Just because they were not Canaanites (if what you post is correct) doesn't mean they were non-Israeli which means all non-Israeli peoples were in fact pagans.

The bible teaches us that ALL mankind is alike, in that since Adam ALL have sinned and turned their own way. The Israelites had not fully extradited sinful behavior from their lives before entering the promised land.

And the reason they wandered 40 years before entering the promised land. Remember that while they were slaves in Egypt, they were exposed to pagan behavior and beliefs. And the temptation to worship the golden calf that Aaron approved of was very easy for them. They did that all by themselves, no pagans around to tempt them or advise them to do so.

The bible does NOT paint Jethro in a bad light. In Exodus 18, verse 11-- Jethro, after hearing all that had happened to Moses, and the Israelites, he expresses faith in the living God as he then sacrifices burnt offerings to God.

Jethro's advice is more about sharing the burdens with one another, just as we are told to do in the New Testament. We aren't meant to be lone rangers. The hand can't say to the foot, “I don't need you”. There is nothing evil in Jethro's advice. Jethro himself was not an enemy of Israel.

Exodus 18-23

 Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their disputes to him. 20 Teach them his decrees and instructions, and show them the way they are to live and how they are to behave. 21 But select capable men from all the people—men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain—and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens. 22 Have them serve as judges for the people at all times, but have them bring every difficult case to you; the simple cases they can decide themselves. That will make your load lighter, because they will share it with you. 23 If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied.”

 

[appy]

On 4/6/2021 at 3:43 AM, JohnD said:

Moses took the advice of his father-in-law in matters of arranging leaders in Israel without consulting the LORD and the eventual result was the Sanhedrin that sentenced Jesus Christ to death

Regarding the Sanhedrin, scriptures have predicted Jesus' death, beginning with God's conversation with Adam all the way up till Christ's death.

Luke 24:6, 7

 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee:  ‘The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.’ ”

God did not punish Joshua for the oversight, as he did in for Saul's sin against the Gibeonites. For Saul broke Israel's vow to the Gibeonites to NOT kill them. In God's eyes, breaking the vow was a bigger sin so to speak than Israel's omission in Joshua's time.

Consider that the Gibeonites honored God by submitting to Israel's leadership over them and didn't complain about it. Even though scripture doesn't exactly say word for word that they repented, but by their actions we can surmise that they did.

From that time forward, they worshiped God. If they had fought Israel, they would have been fighting a losing battle. And they knew it! The nations that fought Israel tooth and nail, did NOT want to know God or change the way they were doing things.

God is a God of mercy as well as justice. We, even today deserve death, but instead God has granted us mercy.

 

[Riverwalker]

2 hours ago, appy said:

And the reason they wandered 40 years before entering the promised land. Remember that while they were slaves in Egypt,

Just a note.

That generation had demonstrated it was not ready to take the huge leap of faith the take the promise land. Moses sent 12 spies into land to report back, All of them said that the land was indeed flowing with milk and honey, but 10 of them said "There are Giants in the land, and we cannot beat them". Two of them (Joshua and Caleb) also said their were giants in the land but God has promised it to us, and look what he has done so far!. The decision was made not to enter the land, and God waited 40 years to let this week generation die off before Joshua would lead them back to conquer

[appy]

I don't disagree with your post, but want to add, that... that action, so to speak was the last straw that broke the camel's back.  It certainly tried God's patience with them.

P.s,  interesting to note that Moses, and his brother and sister also never set foot into the promised land themselves.  The only one's of that generation directly from Egypt was Joshua and Caleb.