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Joshua 9:1–15
“But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors . . . and said to him and to the men of . . . ‘Make a covenant with us’” (Josh. 9:3–6).
Having witnessed the destruction of Jericho and Ai, Israel’s Canaanite enemies abandon their obviously useless strategy of cowering behind the walls of their cities and gather “with one accord” from all over the Promised Land to oppose Israel on the battlefield. Actually, we never see one all-encompassing coalition of Canaanite cities as the following chapters unfold. Joshua 9:1–2 apparently is simply pointing to a new willingness on the part of the Canaanites to do battle. But this willingness is not universal, for the leaders of Gibeon choose stealth rather than strength to save themselves from Israel.
It appears that the Gibeonites have extensive and accurate knowledge of Israel’s divine mandate. They know that Israel has been told to destroy all the inhabitants of Canaan—including the Gibeonites. But they also know that Israel may make peace with inhabitants of cities outside the land. Using this knowledge, they send to Joshua a delegation of men who pretend to be ambassadors from a far country. These men say that their country’s leaders and people, having heard of God’s mighty acts on behalf of Israel, wish to make a covenant of peace with Israel. But the Gibeonite representatives don’t merely lie; they work “craftily.” They take old, worn clothing and equipment, and even dry, moldy bread, so that they may give the appearance of having traveled a great distance. And they speak only of God’s works while Israel was still on the eastern side of the Jordan, realizing that news of the miraculous crossing of the river and Israel’s initial conquests would not have traveled far as yet.
Joshua and the other leading men of Israel are initially suspicious, noting the possibility that the visitors could be Canaanites and asking who they are and where they are from. The Gibeonites do not answer these questions directly but instead present the bogus evidence of their “journey.” And this appears to sway Joshua and the others. Are they overly confident in their ability to judge such matters? Are they flattered to be courted by men from afar? We cannot know precisely why, but the Israelites fail to “ask counsel of the Lord” as to what to do in this matter. Thus, they make a covenant of peace to let the Gibeonites live, and they seal their promise with an oath in the name of their God.
Coram Deo Living before the face of God
We need not seek God’s direction for every decision: what to eat for dinner, what color shirt to wear, what make of car to buy. But on matters God addresses in His Word, we must be more careful. As you seek to live out His will in your life, be quick to peruse His Word and bathe decisions in prayer. Seek His counsel that you may obey Him.
For Further Study
- Job 12:13
- Psalm 73:24
- Psalm 119:105
- Proverbs 6:23
- Colossians 3:16