◄ Joshua 9:11 ►
So the elders and inhabitants of our land told us, 'Take provisions for your journey; go to meet them and say to them: We are your servants. Please make a treaty with us.' Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 9:11? 2. How does Joshua 9:11 demonstrate the importance of seeking God's guidance in decisions? 3. What can we learn from the Gibeonites' strategy to avoid destruction in Joshua 9? 4. How does Joshua 9:11 connect with Proverbs 3:5-6 about trusting God? 5. In what ways can we apply Joshua's leadership response to modern-day challenges? 6. How does Joshua 9:11 illustrate the consequences of not consulting God in agreements? 7. How does Joshua 9:11 reflect on the theme of deception in the Bible? 8. What does Joshua 9:11 teach about the importance of discernment in leadership? 9. How does the Gibeonites' deception challenge our understanding of God's justice in Joshua 9:11? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 9? 11. What is Gibeon's significance in the Bible? 12. Why would an omniscient God allow His leaders to be misled in such a strategic event (Joshua 9)? 13. (2 Chronicles 10:6-8) Why would Rehoboam ignore experienced elders' counsel, despite the text indicating he had access to wisdom? 14. Why is there no clear historical or archeological record outside the Bible confirming Gibeonite tribute (Joshua 9:21)? Discussion Questions 1. How did the Gibeonites' fear of the Israelites lead them to devise their plan, and what does this teach us about the power of fear in decision-making? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we are seeking God's guidance in our daily decisions, and how can we apply this to our current life situations? 3. How does the Israelites' response to the Gibeonites' deception challenge us to uphold our commitments, even when circumstances change? 4. What are some modern-day examples of situations where appearances can be deceiving, and how can we apply biblical discernment in these cases? 5. How does the account of the Gibeonites and the Israelites illustrate God's ability to use our mistakes for His purposes, and how can this encourage us in our walk with God? 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 9:11 NIV Joshua 9:11 NLT Joshua 9:11 ESV Joshua 9:11 NASB Joshua 9:11 KJV Joshua 9:11 Commentaries Bible Hub