In this chapter, the Gibeonites find a way to deceive Israel. People across the land, as far north as the Lebanon mountains, were afraid of the Israelites because they heard of the power of Israel. The kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites quickly combined their armies to fight against the Israelites, but the Gibeonites resorted to deception.
“But when the people of Gibeon heard what had happened to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to deception to save themselves. They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with weathered saddlebags and old patched wineskins. They put on ragged clothes and worn-out patched sandals. And they took along dry, moldy bread for provisions. When they arrived at the camp of Israel at Gilgal, they told Joshua and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us.” (Joshua 9:3-6)
The Israelites replied to these Hivites, “How do we know you don’t live nearby? For if you do, we cannot make a treaty with you.” They replied, “ we will be your servants.” “But who are you?” Joshua demanded. “Where do you come from?”
They answered, “We are from a very distant country. We have heard of the might of the Lord your God and of all he did in Egypt. We have also heard what he did to the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River -- King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan (who lived in Ashtaroth). So our leaders and our people instructed us, “Prepare for a long journey. Go meet with the people of Israel and declare our people to be their servants, and ask for peace.” (Joshua 9:7-11)
The Gibeonites continued their deception explaining how dry, cracked, and worn out their food and other items were from their long trip. “So the Israelite leaders examined their bread, but they did not consult the Lord. Then Joshua went ahead and signed a peace treaty with them, and the leaders of Israel ratified their agreement with a binding oath.” (Joshua 9:14-15)
The Israelites found out three days later that the Gibeonites lived nearby, but they couldn’t attack them because they made an oath in the presence of the Lord, so they let them live. Joshua asked the Gibeonite leaders why they lied, and they replied, “We did it because we were told that the Lord your God instructed his servant Moses to conquer this entire land and destroy all the people living in it. So we feared for our lives because of you. That is why we have done it. Now we are at your mercy -- do whatever you think is right.” (Joshua 9:24-25)
The chapter ends with Joshua making the Gibeonites servants, responsible for chopping wood and carrying water for all the people and for the altar of the Lord.
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us recognize that we are nothing without you, and in all of our decisions, help us, first, seek and consult you. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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