College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Joshua 9 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 9
The league of kings against Israel. Moses had led the people in fighting against the kings east of the Jordan. Joshua had successfully fought against the king of Jericho and the kings of Ai and Bethel. The rest of the kings who were west of the Jordan gathered themselves together to form a league to fight against Joshua and Israel.
Deceit of the Gibeonites. One group of the Hivites, the Gibeonites, knew the only hope they had for survival was to make peace with Joshua. These people and Rahab are the only ones we find throughout the entire length and breadth of the land who made an effort to save themselves from the destruction which was coming upon them. Although these men deceived Joshua and the leaders of Israel, they are commended inasmuch as they realized the futility of opposing the wrath of God. Joshua and the elders acted very ill-advisedly in not asking the Lord's will in the matter. They were impressed with the false evidence which the Gibeonites presented as proof of their having come from a great distance and failed to ask about God's will in the matter.
The servitude of the Gibeonites. Although the men of Israel might honorably have broken the covenant which they made with the Gibeonites since it was entered into under false pretenses, they chose to honor the agreement. They did not put the Gibeonites to death, but they did make them to serve in a very humble capacity. They were made to be hewers of wood and drawers of water (Joshua 9:27).
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Ask God first. The opening statement of the Bible can mean more than a plain historical statement of fact to those who know God. God was in the beginning. In the beginning was the Word (John 1:1). God should be in the beginning of every person's life. He should accept God's way while a child. God should be at the beginning of every day. He should be taken into confidences whenever we enter into a project. Joshua failed to do this. The Scripture says he, asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord (Joshua 9:14). As a result he entered into an ill-advised league.
2.
Things are not always what they seem. Man is able to concoct many disguises. Satan himself may be transformed into an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Man is utterly fooled when he believes things which appear are framed from what we see. As Paul said, Things which are seen were not made of things which do appear (Hebrews 11:3). A Christian is more concerned with what a man is than what he has. He is more interested in a man's character than in his reputation. We must dig beneath the surface to find the true realities,
3.
Dishonesty never pays. Although the Gibeonites were spared from execution at the time they made a covenant with Joshua, they were made to do servile work. They brought upon themselves and all their descendants the stigma of being servants around the Tabernacle. They were made to cut the wood and provide the water for the people as they worshipped at the altar of the Lord.
TEN QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 9
1.
Name the six groups of Canaanites who came together against Joshua and Israel.
2.
List five exhibits presented by the Gibeonites to prove their story.
3.
Where was the camp of Israel when the Gibeonites came to them?
4.
By what other name were the Gibeonites called?
5.
What city in Bashan did the Gibeonites mention?
6.
What other cities were associated with Gibeon?
7.
What positions of servitude were the Gibeonites made to occupy?
8.
Where was this service performed?
9.
Were the Gibeonites performing this service when the book of Joshua was written?
10.
What king of Israel broke this covenant?