Joshua 9

In this chapter, the Gibeonites, hearing of Israel’s military victories, craft a deceptive plan to make a peace treaty with Israel. By pretending to be from a distant land, they seek to protect themselves from destruction. Joshua and the leaders of Israel make a covenant with them without seeking God’s counsel, leading to a complicated situation.

Joshua 9:1-2 (NKJV)
1 And it came to pass when all the kings who were on this side of the Jordan, in the hills and in the lowland and in all the coasts of the Great Sea toward Lebanon—the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite—heard about it,
2 that they gathered together to fight with Joshua and Israel with one accord.

The kings of Canaan, hearing about Israel’s victories, form a coalition to fight against Israel. These kings recognize the threat posed by Israel’s presence and aim to join forces to resist them. This verse sets the stage for a united opposition, highlighting the fear and desperation among the Canaanite nations in the face of God’s power demonstrated through Israel.

Joshua 9:3-5 (NKJV)
3 But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
4 they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors. And they took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and mended,
5 old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy.

The Gibeonites, aware of Israel’s power, take a different approach. Rather than joining the alliance against Israel, they craft a deceptive plan. By disguising themselves with old, worn-out items, they make it appear as if they have traveled from a faraway land. Their aim is to trick Israel into making a peace treaty, a clever ruse to avoid the fate of Jericho and Ai.

Joshua 9:6 (NKJV)
6 And they went to Joshua, to the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us.”

The Gibeonites present their case to Joshua and the Israelite leaders, claiming to be from a distant land. By doing this, they hope to convince Israel that they pose no threat and are not part of the people whom God has commanded Israel to destroy. Their appeal for a covenant is central to their strategy of survival.

Joshua 9:7-8 (NKJV)
7 Then the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell among us; so how can we make a covenant with you?”
8 But they said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” And Joshua said to them, “Who are you, and where do you come from?”

The Israelites, somewhat suspicious, question the Gibeonites' story. They understand that making a covenant with any of the local inhabitants is forbidden. However, the Gibeonites continue their deception, calling themselves servants, and avoiding direct answers to maintain their cover. Joshua’s inquiry reveals a cautious approach but also shows the need for discernment.

Joshua 9:9-10 (NKJV)
9 So they said to him: “From a very far country your servants have come, because of the name of the Lord your God; for we have heard of His fame, and all that He did in Egypt,
10 and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan—to Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.

The Gibeonites claim that they have come from a distant land because of the fame of Israel’s God. They recount the mighty works God has done, particularly the victories over the Amorite kings, Sihon and Og. While these accounts are true, the Gibeonites are careful not to mention the more recent victories at Jericho and Ai, which would have revealed their close proximity.

Joshua 9:11-13 (NKJV)
11 Therefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, ‘Take provisions with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them, “We are your servants; now therefore, make a covenant with us.”’
12 This bread of ours we took hot for our provision from our houses on the day we departed to come to you. But now look, it is dry and moldy.
13 And these wineskins which we filled were new, and see, they are torn; and these our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”

The Gibeonites continue their elaborate deception by showing their dry bread, torn wineskins, and worn-out clothes, claiming that these are the result of a long journey. They appeal to the evidence of their provisions to reinforce their story. This calculated move is designed to mislead Israel into believing they truly are from a distant land, thus avoiding suspicion.

Joshua 9:14-15 (NKJV)
14 Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.
15 So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them.

Israel’s leaders inspect the Gibeonites’ provisions but fail to seek God’s counsel in this critical moment. This lack of prayerful discernment leads them to make a covenant with the Gibeonites, allowing them to live. This decision is binding, as the rulers of Israel swear an oath, not realizing they have been deceived. This highlights the importance of seeking God’s guidance in all decisions.

Joshua 9:16-18 (NKJV)
16 And it happened at the end of three days, after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors who dwelt near them.
17 Then the children of Israel journeyed and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath Jearim.
18 But the children of Israel did not attack them, because the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation complained against the rulers.

Three days after making the covenant, Israel learns the truth: the Gibeonites are their neighbors, living close by. Despite the deception, Israel is bound by their oath before God not to harm them. This creates tension within the community, as the people complain against their leaders for allowing themselves to be deceived, but the integrity of the oath takes precedence.

Joshua 9:19-21 (NKJV)
19 Then all the rulers said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel; now therefore, we may not touch them.
20 This we will do to them: We will let them live, lest wrath be upon us because of the oath which we swore to them.”
21 And the rulers said to them, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for all the congregation, as the rulers had promised them.”

The rulers of Israel, realizing the seriousness of their oath before God, decide to spare the Gibeonites, despite their deception. To avoid God’s wrath, they honor their covenant but impose a servile role on the Gibeonites. They are assigned the task of being woodcutters and water carriers for Israel, allowing them to live but in a position of subservience.

Joshua 9:22-23 (NKJV)
22 Then Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you dwell near us?
23 Now therefore, you are cursed, and none of you shall be freed from being slaves—woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”

Joshua confronts the Gibeonites about their deception. While they are allowed to live, Joshua declares them cursed, assigning them to the role of perpetual servitude. Their work will be for the house of God, further underscoring their subjugation. The Gibeonites’ actions have secured their survival, but at the cost of their freedom, as they must serve Israel indefinitely.

Joshua 9:24-25 (NKJV)
24 So they answered Joshua and said, “Because your servants were clearly told that the Lord your God commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were very much afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
25 And now, here we are, in your hands; do with us as it seems good and right to do to us.”

The Gibeonites confess their fear of Israel’s God and His command to Moses to conquer the land and destroy its inhabitants. Their deception was driven by the fear of death, as they believed they would be destroyed if they didn’t take action. Now, they submit themselves fully to Joshua’s judgment, accepting whatever consequences may come.

Joshua 9:26-27 (NKJV)
26 So he did to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they did not kill them.
27 And that day Joshua made them woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, in the place which He would choose, even to this day.

Joshua upholds the covenant and ensures the Gibeonites are not harmed. Instead, they are assigned to serve the congregation and the altar of the Lord, a task they continue to perform. This outcome allows the Gibeonites to live, but under the service of Israel. Their role becomes a permanent reminder of their deception and the importance of keeping one’s word before God.