“And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent: and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.”
This verse is part of a larger narrative in the book of Joshua, where the Israelites are entering and conquering the Promised Land. In this particular passage, Joshua and the Israelites encounter a group of people called the Gibeonites.
Context:To fully understand the significance of Joshua 9:13, it is helpful to provide some context. Prior to this verse, the Israelites had been instructed by God to utterly destroy the inhabitants of the land of Canaan due to their wickedness (Deuteronomy 7:1-2, Deuteronomy 20:16-18). However, when the Gibeonites heard about the Israelites’ conquests, they feared for their lives and resorted to deception in order to avoid destruction.
The Gibeonites, realizing that the Israelites were forbidden by God from making covenants or peace treaties with the inhabitants of the land, came up with a plan to deceive Joshua and the Israelite leaders. They disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land and approached Joshua with worn-out clothing, old wineskins, and stale bread. They presented themselves as a group from a faraway country seeking to make a peace treaty with Israel (Joshua 9:3-13).
In verse 13, the Gibeonites claim that their wineskins, which were once new and full, have now become old and torn due to their long journey. They also mention that their garments and shoes have worn out from the same arduous journey. This was part of their strategy to convince Joshua and the Israelites that they were indeed from a distant land and not from the local Canaanite tribes.
What is interesting about this verse is the contrast between the appearance of the Gibeonites and the reality of their origin. Their worn-out clothing and old wineskins were intentionally used as props to deceive the Israelites. However, Joshua and the Israelites failed to consult the Lord before making a covenant with the Gibeonites, which was a violation of God’s instructions (Joshua 9:14-15). As a result, the Israelites made a peace treaty with the Gibeonites, later discovering their true identity but being bound by their oath (Joshua 9:16-27).
This account serves as a lesson on the importance of seeking God’s guidance and consulting Him in all decisions, even when circumstances seem favourable or individuals appear trustworthy. Joshua and the Israelites’ failure to seek the Lord’s counsel led to a covenant with a neighbouring people who should have been destroyed according to God’s command. It reminds us to rely on God’s wisdom and discernment rather than relying solely on our own understanding.
In conclusion, Joshua 9:13 highlights the deceptive tactics employed by the Gibeonites to secure a covenant with the Israelites. The worn-out garments, old wineskins, and the claim of a long journey were part of their strategy to appear as foreigners seeking peace. This verse serves as a reminder for us to seek God’s guidance and not be deceived by outward appearances or clever schemes.
