◄ Joshua 9:9 ►
"Your servants have come from a very distant land," they replied, "because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard the reports about Him: all that He did in Egypt, Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Joshua 9:9? 2. How can we discern truth when others claim to be "from a distant land"? 3. What does Joshua 9:9 teach about seeking God's guidance in decision-making? 4. Compare Joshua 9:9 with Proverbs 3:5-6 on trusting God's wisdom. 5. How can we apply Joshua 9:9 to avoid deception in our lives today? 6. What role does prayer play in understanding intentions, as seen in Joshua 9:9? 7. How does Joshua 9:9 reflect on the nature of deception and trust in leadership? 8. What does Joshua 9:9 reveal about God's sovereignty over foreign nations? 9. How does the Gibeonites' deception in Joshua 9:9 challenge our understanding of divine justice? 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. What is the identity of the Gibeonites? 13. In Hosea 9:3, how does the claim that Israel would return to Egypt align with historical records that show no major return after the Exodus? 14. 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? Discussion Questions 1. How does the fame of the LORD influence the actions of both believers and non-believers today? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we seek God's guidance in our decision-making processes, as opposed to relying solely on our understanding? 3. Reflect on a time when deception led to unintended consequences in your life. How did you see God's hand at work despite the situation? 4. How can we maintain honesty and integrity in our interactions with others, especially when faced with difficult circumstances? 5. What lessons can we learn from the Gibeonites' approach to seeking peace, and how can these lessons be applied to our efforts in reconciling with others? 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 9:9 NIV Joshua 9:9 NLT Joshua 9:9 ESV Joshua 9:9 NASB Joshua 9:9 KJV Joshua 9:9 Commentaries Bible Hub