They continued, "Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation." So the leaders kept their promise. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 9:21? 2. How does Joshua 9:21 demonstrate the importance of honoring commitments made before God? 3. What can we learn about discernment from the Israelites' decision in Joshua 9:21? 4. How does Joshua 9:21 connect to Jesus' teachings on honesty and integrity? 5. In what ways can we apply the lesson of servitude in Joshua 9:21 today? 6. How does Joshua 9:21 encourage us to seek God's guidance in decision-making? 7. Why did the Israelites choose to make the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers in Joshua 9:21? 8. How does Joshua 9:21 reflect on the theme of deception and its consequences? 9. What does Joshua 9:21 reveal about the Israelites' adherence to their oath despite being deceived? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 9? 11. What is Gibeon's significance in the Bible? 12. What is the identity of the Gibeonites? 13. Why is there no clear historical or archeological record outside the Bible confirming Gibeonite tribute (Joshua 9:21)? 14. What is Gibeon's significance in the Bible? Discussion Questions 1. What steps can we take to ensure we seek God's guidance in our decision-making processes, as the Israelites failed to do with the Gibeonites?2. How can we apply the principle of honoring our commitments in our daily lives, even when circumstances change or become difficult? 3. In what ways can we guard against deception in our personal and spiritual lives, and what role does discernment play in this? 4. How does the account of the Gibeonites illustrate the concept of God's sovereignty, and how can this understanding impact our trust in His plans? 5. What are some practical ways we can serve our communities, and how can service lead to personal and communal redemption?1. How does the reaction of the local kings to Israel's victories in Joshua 9:1-2 reflect the influence that our victories and achievements can have on others? 2. The Gibeonites used deception to secure a peace treaty with the Israelites. What does this tell us about the lengths to which people might go to ensure their survival? 3. The Israelites were deceived because they did not consult God. How can this scenario be a cautionary tale for our decision-making processes today? 4. What are some modern-day examples of how appearances can be deceiving, similar to the Gibeonites' old clothing and moldy food? 5. How did the leaders of Israel react when they discovered they had been deceived? What does this say about the importance of keeping one's word, even when tricked? 6. The Israelites quickly made a treaty with the Gibeonites based on what they saw and heard. How does this speak to the importance of discernment and seeking God's guidance in our decisions? 7. How can the Israelites' mistake serve as a reminder to us to consult God in prayer before making significant decisions? 8. What does this event teach us about the consequences of making decisions based on incomplete information? 9. Why do you think the Gibeonites chose to deceive the Israelites rather than confront them openly or seek a genuine treaty? 10. How does this chapter show the importance of integrity in our dealings with others? 11. Discuss some ways that people today use manipulation or deceit to gain an advantage, like the Gibeonites did. How should Christians respond to such situations? 12. How does this story show that even wise and experienced leaders like Joshua can be deceived? 13. Why did the Israelite leaders honor the treaty with the Gibeonites, despite it being obtained through deception? 14. How would you have reacted if you were an Israelite who found out about the deception after the treaty was made? 15. What lessons can we learn about the importance of seeking divine guidance before making decisions? 16. How does this story show that God can bring about His purposes even when His people make mistakes? 17. How does the experience of the Gibeonites show the fear that the Israelites and their God instilled in other nations? 18. The Israelites made the Gibeonites their servants as a consequence of their deceit. What does this teach us about the repercussions of dishonest actions? 19. Can you share a personal experience when you felt deceived like the Israelites? How did you handle the situation? 20. Despite being deceived, the Israelites chose to respect the agreement they made. How can this situation speak to the importance of honoring our word in today's world, even when circumstances are challenging? Links Joshua 9:21 NIVJoshua 9:21 NLT Joshua 9:21 ESV Joshua 9:21 NASB Joshua 9:21 KJV Joshua 9:21 Commentaries Bible Hub |



