Joshua - Chapter 9

Joshua 9.1 And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof; Joshua 9.2 That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord. Joshua 9.3 And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, Joshua 9.4 They did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; Joshua 9.5 And old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy. Joshua 9.6 And they went to Joshua unto the camp at Gilgal, and said unto him, and to the men of Israel, We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us. Joshua 9.7 And the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure ye dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? Joshua 9.8 And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye? Joshua 9.9 And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD thy God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, Joshua 9.10 And all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. Joshua 9.11 Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spake to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make ye a league with us. Joshua 9.12 This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is mouldy: Joshua 9.13 And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey. Joshua 9.14 And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. Joshua 9.15 And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. Joshua 9.16 And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them. Joshua 9.17 And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. Joshua 9.18 And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. Joshua 9.19 But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them. Joshua 9.20 This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath which we sware unto them. Joshua 9.21 And the princes said unto them, Let them live; but let them be hewers of wood and drawers of water unto all the congregation; as the princes had promised them. Joshua 9.22 And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us? Joshua 9.23 Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God. Joshua 9.24 And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the LORD thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing. Joshua 9.25 And now, behold, we are in thine hand: as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do. Joshua 9.26 And so did he unto them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, that they slew them not. Joshua 9.27 And Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation, and for the altar of the LORD, even unto this day, in the place which he should choose.

Joshua : Chapter 9

The Deception of the Gibeonites: A Call to Wisdom

Chapter 9 of the book of Joshua presents us with a captivating story that illustrates how a lack of consultation with God can lead to regrettable decisions. It describes how the Israelites, without seeking divine guidance, were led to make a pact with the Gibeonites, a neighboring nation. This account highlights essential themes such as discernment, the consequences of hasty decisions, and the importance of seeking divine guidance.

Joshua 9 is not just a narrative; it also illustrates how God can work through difficult circumstances to accomplish His plans. As we meditate on this chapter, we discover five biblical passages that enrich our understanding of the challenges faced by Joshua and the Israelites.

Enlightening Bible Passages

2 Corinthians 11:14: "No wonder, for Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light." This verse recalls the deception of the Gibeonites, emphasizing that disappointment can arise unexpectedly, prompting us to be vigilant.

Proverbs 3:5-6: "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge the Lord, and he will direct your paths." This passage contrasts with Joshua's mistake in Joshua 9:14, where he acted without consulting the Lord before engaging with the Gibeonites.

Psalms 15:4: "who rejects those who deserve contempt, but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps his word, even when he is harmed." This verse evokes Joshua's decision to keep the oath he made to the Gibeonites, even after discovering their deception, as indicated in Joshua 9:19-20.

Matthew 5:33-37: "You have also heard what was said to your ancestors: 'Do not swear falsely, but fulfill the oaths you have sworn before the Lord.'... Let your 'yes' be 'yes,' and your 'no' be 'no.' Everything beyond that comes from the Evil One." This passage highlights the importance of keeping oaths, a central theme in the story of Joshua.

Ephesians 5:15-16: "Be careful how you live; do not live as fools, but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." This verse reflects the lesson learned in Joshua 9 about the importance of acting wisely and seeking God's guidance in all our decisions.

Conclusion

By meditating on Joshua chapter 9 and these biblical passages, we are called to strengthen our relationship with God and always seek His guidance in our choices. May this reflection inspire us to act with discernment and avoid the pitfalls of deception.