◄ Joshua 9:7 ►
But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, "Perhaps you dwell near us. How can we make a treaty with you?" Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 9:7? 2. How can we discern truth when approached by others, as in Joshua 9:7? 3. What does Joshua 9:7 teach about seeking God's guidance before making decisions? 4. How does Joshua 9:7 connect with Proverbs 3:5-6 on trusting God? 5. In what ways can we avoid being deceived, like Israelites in Joshua 9:7? 6. How can Joshua 9:7 inspire us to seek wisdom in our daily lives? 7. Why did the Israelites question the Gibeonites' origins in Joshua 9:7? 8. How does Joshua 9:7 reflect on the theme of deception in the Bible? 9. What historical evidence supports the events described in Joshua 9:7? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 9? 11. Why would an omniscient God allow His leaders to be misled in such a strategic event (Joshua 9)? 12. Does Joshua 23:7's directive to avoid pagan nations conflict with biblical accounts of alliances Israel made in subsequent books? 13. Why did Joshua fail to seek divine guidance (Joshua 9:14) before making a treaty? 14. In 2 Samuel 21:1, how can a just God hold an entire nation accountable with famine for Saul's sin? Discussion Questions 1. What can we learn from the Israelites' initial suspicion of the Hivites, and how can we apply this to our own decision-making processes? 2. How does the command in Deuteronomy 7:1-2 relate to the situation in Joshua 9:7, and what does this teach us about obedience to God's Word? 3. In what ways can we guard against deception in our spiritual lives, and what role does prayer and seeking God's guidance play in this? 4. How does the New Testament teaching in 2 Corinthians 6:14-15 about being unequally yoked apply to the Israelites' potential treaty with the Hivites? 5. What are some modern-day examples of compromises that Christians might face, and how can we ensure that we remain faithful to God's commands in these situations? Joshua 9 Bible Study Questions 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 9:7 NIV Joshua 9:7 NLT Joshua 9:7 ESV Joshua 9:7 NASB Joshua 9:7 KJV Joshua 9:7 Commentaries Bible Hub