Joshua 9:4-6

I pass over the historical relation of the Gibeonites conduct, to direct the Reader to the spiritual gospel sense of the passage. Are not those Gibeonites a picture of the Gentile Church, coming to our Almighty Joshua, in all the poverty of the tattered garments of a ruined nature, and from having heard of the wonders wrought by the God of Israel in a covenant way, earnest to seek the redemption of their life, in any manner, and upon any terms, the Lord shall think proper? Reader, bring the subject nearer home. Are not we ourselves by nature like the men of Gibeon, being Gentiles and aliens to the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of promise? And as such, until introduced into the privilege of the church of Jesus, and brought nigh by his blood, may it not be said of us, that we are from a far country? For who so far from salvation by Jesus, as those who sit under his gospel, and yet to whom it is the savour of death unto death? Ephesians 2:11; 2 Corinthians 2:16.