◄ Joshua 9:18 ►
But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 9:18? 2. Why did the Israelites honor their oath despite the Gibeonites' deception in Joshua 9:18? 3. How can we discern truth to avoid deception like in Joshua 9:18? 4. What does Joshua 9:18 teach about the importance of keeping promises? 5. How does Joshua 9:18 connect with Jesus' teachings on honesty and integrity? 6. How can we apply the lesson of Joshua 9:18 in our daily commitments? 7. Why did the Israelites honor the treaty with the Gibeonites despite being deceived? 8. How does Joshua 9:18 reflect on the importance of oaths and promises in the Bible? 9. What does the Israelites' decision in Joshua 9:18 teach about discernment and leadership? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Joshua 9? 11. How did Hannah's faith lead to Samuel's birth? 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. What is Gibeon's significance in the Bible? Discussion Questions 1. How can we ensure that we seek God's guidance in our decision-making processes, as the Israelites failed to do in this instance? 2. What are some modern-day examples of oaths or promises that we should take seriously, and how can we ensure we honor them? 3. How can leaders today maintain integrity and accountability in their decisions, especially when facing criticism from those they lead? 4. In what ways can we see God's sovereignty at work in our lives, even when we make mistakes or face deception? 5. How does the account of the Gibeonites and the Israelites challenge us to consider the long-term consequences of our actions and decisions? 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 9:18 NIV Joshua 9:18 NLT Joshua 9:18 ESV Joshua 9:18 NASB Joshua 9:18 KJV Joshua 9:18 Commentaries Bible Hub