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.' So the elders and inhabitants of our land told us,Gibeon’s elders exercised recognized authority over the city and its surrounding settlements. Having heard of Jericho, Ai, and Israel’s God, the people united behind a plan intended to preserve their lives from the judgment falling on Canaan. Jdg 11:5-6 and made war with them, the elders of Gilead… ‘Take provisions for your journey; Worn bread, patched wineskins, and old clothing would support their claim to have traveled from a far country. Israel had been commanded to make peace with distant peoples, while the Canaanite nations were marked for judgment because of their entrenched wickedness (Deuteronomy 20:10–18). Gen 45:21 So the sons of Israel did as they were told.… go to meet them and say to them: Rather than waiting for Israel’s army to arrive, the Gibeonites sought Israel deliberately. Their action acknowledged Israel’s strength and, more importantly, the supremacy of the LORD who had given Israel the land. 1Sa 25:5-8 So David sent ten young men and instructed them,… We are your servants. The offer of servitude was an appeal for mercy and protection under Israel’s authority. Though their words concealed their identity, their willingness to submit distinguished them from the Canaanite kings who gathered to resist Israel. 2Ki 10:5 So the palace administrator, the overseer of the city… Please make a treaty with us.’ A treaty confirmed by oath was binding before God and could not be broken without guilt. The Gibeonites would obtain protection through deception, yet Israel’s obligation to honor its sworn word would reveal the seriousness with which the LORD regards covenants. Gen 26:28-31 “We can plainly see that the LORD has been with you,”… Persons / Places / Events 1. Elders of GibeonThe leaders of the Gibeonite people who devised a plan to deceive the Israelites into making a peace treaty. 2. Gibeonites Inhabitants of Gibeon, a Canaanite city, who feared the Israelites and sought to make a treaty with them through deception. 3. Israelites The people of God, led by Joshua, who were conquering the land of Canaan as God had commanded. 4. Joshua The leader of the Israelites, who was responsible for making decisions regarding treaties and warfare. 5. Canaan The land promised to the Israelites by God, which they were in the process of conquering. Teaching Points Discernment and Seeking God’s GuidanceThe Israelites failed to seek God's counsel before making a treaty with the Gibeonites. This teaches us the importance of seeking God's guidance in all decisions, especially those that seem straightforward. The Deceptiveness of Appearances The Gibeonites' deception reminds us that appearances can be misleading. We must be cautious and discerning, testing everything against God's Word. The Importance of Integrity Despite being deceived, the Israelites honored their treaty with the Gibeonites. This highlights the importance of keeping our commitments and maintaining integrity, even when it is difficult. God’s Sovereignty and Mercy Despite the deception, God used the situation for His purposes. This shows that God can work through our mistakes and still bring about His plans. Bible Study 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? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 20:10-18Provides instructions on making treaties with distant cities, which the Gibeonites exploited by pretending to be from a distant land. Exodus 23:32-33 Warns against making covenants with the inhabitants of the land, highlighting the Israelites' failure to seek God's guidance in this situation. 2 Samuel 21:1-2 Describes the consequences of Saul breaking the treaty with the Gibeonites, showing the long-term impact of this event.
People Amorites, Canaanites, Gibeon, Gibeonites, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Israelites, Jebusites, Joshua, Og, Perizzites, SihonPlaces Ai, Ashtaroth, Bashan, Beeroth, Egypt, Gibeon, Gilgal, Great Sea, Heshbon, Jericho, Jordan River, Kiriath-jearim, LebanonTopics Agreement, Covenant, Elders, Inhabitants, Journey, League, Meet, Provision, Provisions, Responsible, Saying, Servants, Spake, Speak, Spoke, Treaty, Victuals, WhereforeDictionary of Bible Themes Joshua 9:3-13 4552 wood Library Of a Good Government in External Things, and of Having Recourse to God in Dangers"My Son, for this thou must diligently make thy endeavour, that in every place and outward action or occupation thou mayest be free within, and have power over thyself; and that all things be under thee, not thou under them; that thou be master and ruler of thy actions, not a slave or hireling, but rather a free and true Hebrew, entering into the lot and the liberty of the children of God, who stand above the present and look upon the eternal, who with the left eye behold things transitory, and with … Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Letters of St. Bernard Conflicts with Giant Mistake Being Made Archbishop of Armagh, He Suffers Many Troubles. Peace Being Made, from Being Archbishop of Armagh He Becomes Bishop of Down. Joshua Links Joshua 9:11 NIVJoshua 9:11 NLT Joshua 9:11 ESV Joshua 9:11 NASB Joshua 9:11 KJV Joshua 9:11 Commentaries Bible Hub |
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