UJoshuwa NabaseGibheyoni

Izindaba ngalokho okwenzeka eJeriko zasakazelekela nakwamanye amazwe eKhanani. Amakhosi alawo mazwe anquma ukuhlangana ukuze alwe nama-Israyeli. Kodwa abaseGibheyoni babenesu elihlukile. Baya kuJoshuwa begqoke izimpahla ezidabukile base bethi: ‘Sisuka ezweni elikude. Sizwile ngoJehova nangakho konke anenzele kona eGibhithe nakwaMowabi. Sithembiseni ukuthi ngeke nisihlasele futhi sizoba izinceku zenu.’

UJoshuwa wabakholwa wabe esevuma ukuthi ngeke abahlasele. Ngemva kwezinsuku ezintathu wathola ukuthi babengasuki ezweni elikude. Babevela eKhanani. UJoshuwa wabuza abaseGibheyoni: ‘Nisikhohliseleni?’ Baphendula: ‘Besesaba! Siyazi ukuthi uNkulunkulu wenu uJehova uyanilwela. Sicela ningasibulali.’ UJoshuwa wasigcina isithembiso sakhe, wangababulala.

Kungakabiphi, amakhosi amahlanu aseKhanani asongela abaseGibheyoni. UJoshuwa nebutho lakhe bahamba ubusuku bonke ukuze babasindise. Impi yaqala ekuseni ngovivi ngakusasa. AmaKhanani abaleka. Njengoba ebaleka uJehova wenza ukuba kune isichotho esikhulu phezu kwabo. UJoshuwa wabe esecela uJehova ukuba enze ilanga lime. Kungani acela uJehova ukuba enze into enjalo ngoba ilanga lalingakaze lime ngaphambili? Yingoba uJoshuwa wayemethemba uJehova. Ngempela ilanga alizange lishone ama-Israyeli aze anqoba wonke amakhosi amaKhanani namabutho awo.