The Gibeonite Deception
1) 7-13-08…AM…SBC 2)
“The Gibeonite Deception”
Joshua 9 (Read)
Introduction:
1- Previously, Israel’s opposition came from individual cities, now it will come from coalitions of cities[1]
Chapter 9: A 6 King Coalition -----Chapter 10: A 5 King Coalition-----Chapter 11: A Multi-King Coalition
2- Israel’s reputation had already spread throughout the land: according to 2:9–11 and 5:1 the Canaanites had heard about Israel and its victories, and their hearts melted.[2]
וַיִּמַּ֣ס לְבָבָ֗ם “their hearts melted” (NKJV, KJV, NIV, NASB, ESV)
1. Rang of Meaning – “lose courage, grow faint, become weak, melt
2. the Book of Joshua uses this in a figurative sense of growing fearful
3. The message being conveyed here is that the Canaanites were paralyzed with fear
3- Now (ch9) the Canaanites did not fear the Israelites, even after their impressive victories at Jericho and Ai[3]
- In 7:5 it was the hearts of the Israelites that were paralyzed in fear after the Ai defeat
- The Canaanites’ fear of the Israelites was now diminished, and they felt confident in doing battle with them.[4]
- This turnaround in attitude was due to Israel’s being defeated by Ai (chap. 7).[5]
4- We see here the outworking of the curses recorded in Deuteronomy 28 [6]
- Read v1, 7, 9-10, 15, 25 (show slide of cf)
Transition: In Ch9 we see the unbreakable nature of an OT oath and the unbreakable nature of God’s promises.
Proposition: To image or be like God is to keep your word/promises because God never breaks a promise but fulfills them all.
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Verse 1-2 (First Major Section of the Chapter)
1- The geographical description laid out shows that the kings opposing Israel came from all parts of the land of Canaan – given in broadest terms possible
2- That they were not able to unite as planned into one fighting force is a tribute to the success of Joshua’s strategy in driving a wedge through the backbone of Canaan.[7]
- But powerful confederations did form in both the north and the south.[8]
Transition: Not all Israel’s enemies wanted to fight. The Gibeonites were convinced they could never defeat Israel in war so they pursued peace.[9]
Verse 3-13
1- Rather than risk destruction, which they were sure would be their lot, they resorted to a trick to deceive Israel into making a peace treaty with them.[10]
2- In v7 we are told about the cover up – the Gibeonites are actually the Hivites
a. Since the Hivites were among the groups to be destroyed (Exod 34:11; Deut 20:17; Josh 3:10) and part of the coalition against Israel (9:1), no treaty was to be made with them.[11]
3- Their Deception v4-6
A- The Gibeonites staked their hope for a peace treaty on Israel’s policy of making peace with compliant cities that were far removed from Israel, (Dt. 20:10–15). [12] (make slide for verses 10…15)
1- the Gibeonites pretended to come form a great distance in hopes of saving their lives
a- They went to elaborate lengths to make it appear that they had been traveling a long distance and a long time (vv. 4–5).[13]
B- They acted “craftily” in deceiving the Israelites v11-13
1- a cunning, crafty deception, and so causing an inaccurate view [14]
Verse 14-15
1- Israel’s Sin – They did not consult the Lord in this matter v14
a- they were to go to the priest and consult God through the Urim and Thumim (Numbers 27:21)
1. They refer to some kind of stones or tokens which the ancient high priests of Israel used for discovering the will of God
b- The Israelites’ confirmation of the Gibeonites’ claim was purely in their own strength and on their own initiative. [15]
c- The mistake on Israel’s and Joshua’s part was not that they were deceived per se, but that they did not ask for the Lord’s counsel. [16]
Application: This is certainly a warning to all who read this passage: God is there to be consulted, and we ignore him at our peril (cf. 1 Chr 28:9; 2 Chr 15:2; 18:4; 20:4; etc.).[17]
Summary of the Situation:
Ø Joshua took two actions: (1) they “made peace,” and (2) they “made a covenant [or treaty].” These actions spared the Gibeonites’ lives, which was their objective from the start. The leaders then swore an oath that ratified the treaty.[18]
Verse 16-27
1- The congregation was angry with its leaders for having done this (v. 18b), but their hands were tied by the oath the leaders had taken.[19] v19-20
2- The Oath and its Implications
a- The Gibeonites were safe from harm at the hands of Israel because of the oath that had been taken (v. 15).[20]
b- to give an oath was to give one’s sacred and unbreakable word that he would follow through on what was promised.[21]
3- The motivation for keeping the promise to the Gibeonites despite of the deception on their part was because of the reflection that it would bring to the Name of God
a- Question: Why would it be worse for them to swear by God’s name and then not fulfill their promise?
b- Answer: Since God would be an active participant in such an oath, it would directly reflect upon Him
c- God is not a God who goes back on such promises, so to keep a promise was to be like God, because God never breaks a promise, but fulfills them all.
Conclusion: Despite what some may think, there are lots of applications from this account for us today.
1- Are you asking God for Direction – best business practices, pragmatism, impulse, (prayer, Scripture, HS)
a- God won’t be directing your life by the HS if you are not one of His own
b- Courtroom – judge says you are guilty and gives fine of $100,000 and a man stand up in the back to pay your fine because he loves you – this is the picture of Christ’s death for you
3- Not looking to the direction God had given to them. (Urim & Thumim – OT) (Bible – Today)
4- Keeping your Promises – Marriage, Business, ministries in church (this reflects on God Himself)
5- Don’t make hasty decisions because you will still be held accountable for your word.
6- Keeping your word even once you know you should have done something different.
7- It honors God to keep promises because God is a promise keeping God-this is one way his children can reflect him.
It’s easy to say yes to a request, but will you really follow through.
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[1]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 218.
[2]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 218.
[3]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 218.
[4]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 218.
[5]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 218.
[6]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 218.
[7]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 1:348.
[8]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 1:348.
[9]John F. Walvoord, Roy B. Zuck and Dallas Theological Seminary, The Bible Knowledge Commentary : An Exposition of the Scriptures (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1983-c1985), 1:348.
[10]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 222.
[11]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 225.
[12]D. A. Carson, New Bible Commentary : 21st Century Edition, Rev. Ed. of: The New Bible Commentary. 3rd Ed. / Edited by D. Guthrie, J.A. Motyer. 1970., 4th ed. (Leicester, England; Downers Grove, Ill., USA: Inter-Varsity Press, 1994), Jos 9:3.
[13]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 223.
[14]James Swanson, Dictionary of Biblical Languages With Semantic Domains : Hebrew (Old Testament), electronic ed. (Oak Harbor: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 1997), DBLH 6893, #3.
[15]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 226.
[16]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 226.
[17]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 226.
[18]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 227.
[19]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 228.
[20]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 228.
[21]David M. Howard, Jr, vol. 5, Joshua, electronic ed., Logos Library System; The New American Commentary (Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001, c1998), 229.