UNROLL
Early morning in the Jordan valley: far off on a pale track, a small band of travelers with laden donkeys walks toward the black tents of a great camp by the palms.

The Book of

Joshua 9

They came with moldy bread and a good story. Israel never asked the LORD, and kept the promise anyway.

27 verses≈ 5 min1 personBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–5Crossing overInto the land
  2. 6–12Taking the landThe LORD fights for IsraelChapter 9
  3. 13–21Dividing the landAn inheritance for each tribe
  4. 22–24Choose this dayServe the LORD

The Deceit of the Gibeonites

Now when news of this reached all the kings west of the Jordan—those in the hill country, the foothills, and all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon (the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites)— they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel.

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The Gibeonites

They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land; please make a treaty with us.”

The Israelites

But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell near us. How can we make a treaty with you?”

The Gibeonites

“We are your servants,” they said to Joshua.

Joshua

Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you and where have you come from?”

In the camp at Gilgal, four dusty travelers in ragged cloaks bow low before Joshua, a strong gray-bearded man with a staff, elders standing behind him.

“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, and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. 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.’

0:30

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But look, it is now dry and moldy. These wineskins were new when we filled them, but look, they are cracked. And these clothes and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.”

Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.

did not seek the counsel of the LORD

Joshua 9:14

And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.

Question

Quick question

The Gibeonites brought a good story and the props to match it.

What did the men of Israel fail to do before the treaty?

Three days after they had made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites learned that they were neighbors, living among them. So the Israelites set out and on the third day arrived at their cities—Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

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.

All the leaders answered, “We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them. This is how we will treat them: We will let them live, so that no wrath will fall on us because of the oath we swore to them.”

Joshua 9:19–20

They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the whole congregation.” So the leaders kept their promise.

Reflect

Even when it hurts

The leaders had been fooled, and the whole camp was angry with them. Still they said, “We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.” Think of a promise you made that has become costly to keep. Write it down, and write what keeping it would say about the God whose name you carry.

Joshua

Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by telling us you live far away from us, when in fact you live among us? Now therefore you are under a curse and will perpetually serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”

The Gibeonites

The Gibeonites answered, “Your servants were told clearly that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and wipe out all its inhabitants before you. So we greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we have done this. Now we are in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.”

So Joshua did this and delivered them from the hands of the Israelites, and they did not kill the Gibeonites.

On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers, as they are to this day for the congregation of the LORD and for the altar at the place He would choose.

Pray

Ask first, and keep your word

Israel looked, touched and tasted, but “did not seek the counsel of the LORD.” Bring Him the decision in front of you now, before you settle it. Lord, teach me to ask You first. Give me grace to keep my word when it costs me. And thank You that You bring near to Yourself those who come in fear and need, as You did the Gibeonites. Amen.

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Joshua 9

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A verse to carry with you

Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.

Joshua 9:14

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