Serving as Woodcutters and Water Carriers in heaven “You are now under a curse: You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.” (Joshua 9:16-27) Joshua brought his army to the Gibeonites and confronted them as to why they had deceived Israelites. They confessed that they acted in such a way because they feared God, and then Joshua cursed them and made them woodcutters and water carriers among the people of God. You might have heard some people say, “I would rather reign in hell than to serve in heaven.” Well, the Gibeonites would disagree, “I would rather serve in heaven as woodcutters and water carriers than to reign in hell.” All the kings who lived in the Promised Land had the former attitude against Israel and their God. They joined together and gathered their armies to fight against Joshua and Israel. They said, “It’s better to fight and die proudly than to serve them or die cowardly.” Gibeonites, on the other hand, took the latter attitude and appealed to the mercy of God although they did it deceitfully. When Joshua confronted them, their answer was plain and simple. They were afraid of the God of Israel and they did not want to perish. Anything was better than perishing. Then in anger, Joshua cursed them, “You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God!” At first, this sounds like a curse---to live as woodcutters and water carriers forever. Yet, if you really think about it, it’s not a curse at all. Remember, couple of days ago, they were standing in line with the rest of the inhabitants waiting to be judged and be destroyed by God. Now they were living among the people of God with the opportunity to know God even though they were cursed to live as servants. They will forever say, “We will never regret choosing to serve God in heaven as woodcutters and water carriers than to have perished along with the rest of those kings who thought they can reign in hell.” God will never reject those who will humble themselves before Him. Remember the Ninevites in the book of Jonah who received mercy when they repented even though God planned to judge and destroy them. Remember the thief on the cross who received mercy because he repented just before he died. During his ministry on earth, Jesus never refused anyone who sought him out with humility. He taught that it is better to enter into heaven crippled, broken, and humbled than to be thrown into hell with a healthy body. Remember David’s confession, “I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked” (Ps.84:10). The proud do not understand this. They would rather perish than to humble themselves before God. They will say, “I would rather reign with Satan in hell than serve Yahweh in heaven.” The humble, on the other hand, will join with the Gibeonites and say, “I would rather serve in heaven as woodcutters and water carriers than to perish along with the wicked.” Cursed or not, look at them—they are serving as woodcutter and water carriers IN HEAVEN.
Posted on: Thu, 25 Jul 2013 15:32:29 +0000
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