A deceptive treaty

Joshua Chapter 9

All the kings west of Jordan heard about the Israelites conquering of Jericho and Ai, and they quickly combined their armies against Joshua and his people. But when the people of Gibeon heard what happened to Jericho and Ai, they tried to save themselves by deception and sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with weathered saddlebags and old, patched wineskins, and wore ragged clothes etc. They told the men of Israel that they wished to make a peace treaty with them. Joshua could not make a treaty with a people who lived nearby. So the Gibeons showed them bread that was moldy and sandals worn out from a long trip.

The Israelites replied that they did not make a treaty with those whom they did not know. So the Gibeons offered to be their servants, and Joshua began to question them and signed a treaty with them. Three days later the facts came out when the Israelites set out to the towns of the dishonest people and found them out. But Joshua was bound by the treaty, so the Gibeonites were allowed to live, but would work as servants to the Israelites.

Joshua called them out and asked why they lied. They replied that they did it because they were told the Lord God instructed Moses to conquer the entire land and destroy all the people living in it. So they feared for their lives and now they were at the mercy of the Israelites.

Joshua did not allow his people to kill the Gibeonites, but that day he make them woodchoppers and water carriers for his people and for the altar of the Lord- wherever the Lord chooses to build it.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: as the news of the Israelite victory spread, the opposition manifested itself in two ways: 1.Directly, as Kings became to unite against them. or 2.Indirectly, as the Gibeonites resorted to deception.
When Joshua's leaders sampled the Gibeon's provisions and found bread that was dry and moldy, they did not see through the deception. After the treaty was ratified, the facts came out that the Israelites had been deceived. God had specifically instructed Isreal not to make treaties with the inhabitants of Canaan. By failing to seek God's guidance and rushing ahead, the Israelites now had to deal with an awkward alliance. God had also commanded that oaths be kept and breaking an oath was serious.

How does this chapter relate to us today? We all make mistakes and sometimes they cannot be rectified. Joshua learned a hard lesson by falling for the deceptions of the Gibeons. Just as we often have to learn the hard way, when we make a big mistake. How urgent it is to have God to guide us and not rush ahead using our own judgment. Sometimes what seems innocent enough, can lead to big consequences when we don't have God's help. Ask God to guide you in everything you do.

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
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