Joshua chapter 9 … records one of the most deceptive plots ever employed upon Israel. A tribal people, the Gibeonites (who were wicked Canaanites slated for destruction) were also known as Hivites, according to verse 7 of our chapter. See Exodus 34:11 for God’s “will” concerning these people: “Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the HIVITE, and the Jebusite.” Add Deuteronomy 7:2 here as well: “And when the LORD thy God shall deliver them (including the Hivites, the Gibeonites) before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt MAKE NO COVENANT with them, nor shew mercy unto them.”
Well, apparently these Gibeonites/Hivites fell under the “fear of the Lord!” And subsequently devised a plan to “spare” their own lives! (The city of Gibeon was near Ai and no more than five miles from Jerusalem! Yet the inhabitants of that place met Joshua and the Jews and “acted” as if they were from far, far away!)
They “marched” those very few miles to Joshua and said/lied: “We be come from a far country: now therefore make ye a league with us.” The word used for “league” (in Hebrew beriyth”) is the same word as “covenant,” a strong word of “bond!” A genuine commitment, far more significant than a mere “contract” even!
This is a dangerous situation for Israel!
The enemy portraying himself as a friend!
Yet verse 3 says: “The inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai,” again this is the Fear of the Lord, folks! These words are similar to those of Rahab earlier in the Book!
Anyway … verse 15 tells us more: “And Joshua MADE PEACE WITH THEM, and MADE A LEAGUE with them, to LET THEM LIVE: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them.” Based on the false evidence the Gibeonites presented.
Looks like here … Joshua made a mistake!
Peace with a Canaanite people!
But if I am right … surely Scripture will give at least a “hint” that Joshua and his cabinet may have erred a bit! (Something we seldom read of that great Warrior, Joshua the Son of Nun.)
Now notice with me Joshua 9:14 … “And the men (Joshua and his advisors) took of their victuals (food that had been made to look old and mouldy), and ASKED NOT COUNSEL AT THE MOUTH OF THE LORD.”
They made a treaty with evil people … and did not seek God’s Counsel anytime during the whole process!
Wow!
Numbers 27:21, written specifically for Joshua, taught: “And he (Joshua) shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall ASK COUNSEL for him after the judgment of Urim BEFORE THE LORD … AT HIS (GOD’S) WORD THEY SHALL GO OUT, and AT HIS WORD THEY SHALL COME IN, both he, and all the children of Israel with him, even all the congregation.”
Seeking God’s “Will” in all we do!
Anyone reading here about to make a decision?
About to make some significant change in life?
Just met a new “friend?”
A “job” situation?
“Church” decision?
FIRST … before anything else you do … seek the Mind of the Lord in that matter at hand!
“Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6
Though those words from Proverbs had not yet been written in Joshua’s day … the truth they represent existed!
Joshua had a clear avenue of approaching God … of seeking His Guidance … but in this (Gibeonite) situation, he obviously acted too hastily!
May we learn from his mistake!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell