I read an interesting and, quite honestly, rather disturbing portion of scripture this morning. Second Samuel chapeter 21 gives an account of how David avenges the Gibeonites, righting Saul’s wrong.
There’s a famine in the land for two years so “David sought the face of the LORD,” basically saying, “Uh, something’s not right here. What’s going on?” and the LORD said, “There is bloodguilt on Saul and on his house, because he put the Gigeonites to death.”
Now, the Gibeonites are a curious group. When Joshua and his guys first inhabited the promise land, the Gibeonites got scared that they’d get wiped out, so they pretended to be from a land far far away, wearing old worn out clothes and bringing moldy bread, and asked the Israelites to make a treaty with them and deal kindly with them. The Israelites didn’t seek the Lord to ask His counsel, but made the treaty, and then and only then discovered that the rascals were their next door neighbors that the Lord had intended for them to destroy.
So, basically what they had done was agree to share their promised land with these tricksters for all time. And because God honors a vow, the treaty would last for all time. Never were they to slaughter the Gibeonites. Well, Saul, who is famous for not following directions very well, had put some Gibeonites to death during his reign. We’re talking a long time ago. David wasn’t even around then so it obviously wasn’t his fault. So it kind of seems strange that God’s allowing this famine because of a sin that some dead king did a long time ago. So David goes to the Gibeonites and asks them, “How can I make it right by you?” and they respond that they want some of Saul’s blood.
So, David agrees to avenge the Gibeonites by executing seven descendents of Saul.
Wait, what?
That’s the part that really trips me up. So these seven men, grandsons of King Saul, who probably didn’t even know the guy that much, are executed because of some stupid thing their grandpa did? That’s harsh. So I’m not going there, but the point seems to be that sin is a big deal, and often requires restitution.
Now we know we’ve been bought and redeemed by Christ, but I wonder if there is a principle here for us? Because when David did that, and avenged the Gibeonites, it says, “And after that God responded to the plea for the land” v. 14. Hm.
Who do I need to avenge?
I just wonder if maybe God thinks it’s important for us to be mindful of ways that we need to make things right. So I prayed and asked God if there was anything I needed to make right, so that a spiritual famine would not take place in my life.
I was reminded of two things: Jeff and I had decided to support some certain missionaries several months prior but then things got super busy and crazy, and I realized that we never followed through and called the mission agency. That might seem small, but if those missionaries were counting on our contribution, we were essentially robbing them, not letting our yes be yes. This passage showed me that in order to make it right, we should not just start now, but pay back the months we’d neglected. In essence, righting the wrong we’d overlooked.
Secondly, God brought to mind a very difficult relational/business situation we’ve been in. The other person, through an amazing change of heart, chose to bless us. We have an opportunity to make a pretty significant choice to bless her back, and in light of this passage, I think any measure is worth being upright before God and man. Thankfully we don’t have to find anyone’s sons and have them hanged.
I know Old Testament passages like this can be confusing. I still don’t understand why God would let those seven men die for sins they didn’t commit. But I also know He sees stuff I don’t. But what I love is when those old dusty musty stories come alive with conviction and truth for today. Because He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And now I need to go, I have some checks to write, some ways to make it right.
[From the archives, May 2009]
Are there any things that come to mind that have perhaps slipped by that you can make right today? A follow up, a phone-call, the simple words, “I’m sorry”? It feels so good to keep a short account with God! Thanks for reading.