They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, "We have come from a distant land; please make a treaty with us." Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 9:6? 2. How can we discern truth when approached by others, as in Joshua 9:6? 3. What does Joshua 9:6 teach about seeking God's guidance in decision-making? 4. How does Joshua 9:6 connect with Proverbs 3:5-6 on trusting God? 5. How can we apply Joshua 9:6 to avoid deception in our lives today? 6. What lessons from Joshua 9:6 can help us maintain integrity in leadership? 7. Why did the Gibeonites deceive Joshua in Joshua 9:6? 8. How does Joshua 9:6 reflect on the importance of discernment? 9. What does Joshua 9:6 teach about making covenants without seeking God's guidance? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 9? 11. What is Gilgal's significance in the Bible? 12. Joshua 5:9: Is there any historical or archaeological evidence that this site, Gilgal, was ever known or marked as the place where Israel’s “disgrace” was removed? 13. Why did Joshua fail to seek divine guidance (Joshua 9:14) before making a treaty? 14. How does sparing the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:15) align with instructions to destroy all Canaanite inhabitants (Deuteronomy 20:16-17)? Discussion Questions 1. How can we ensure that we seek God's guidance in our decision-making processes, especially when faced with seemingly straightforward choices?2. What are some modern-day examples of deception that can lead us away from God's commands, and how can we guard against them? 3. How does the account of the Gibeonites illustrate the importance of discernment and wisdom in our interactions with others? 4. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in situations where we have made mistakes or been deceived? 5. How can we foster a culture of accountability within our church or community to prevent decisions that go against God's will?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 9:6 NIVJoshua 9:6 NLT Joshua 9:6 ESV Joshua 9:6 NASB Joshua 9:6 KJV Joshua 9:6 Commentaries Bible Hub |



