Joshua 9:17

“And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.”

Historical Context: The book of Joshua records the events that took place after the death of Moses, as the Israelites prepared to enter and conquer the Promised Land. In this particular verse, the children of Israel have been traveling and have arrived at the cities of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim.

Background: Before reaching these cities, the Israelites had experienced significant victories in battle, including the miraculous crossing of the Jordan River and the conquest of Jericho. As a result, news of the Israelites’ military prowess and God’s favor had spread throughout the land.

The Gibeonite Deception: In the preceding verses (Joshua 9:1-16), the Gibeonites, who lived in the cities mentioned, employed a deceitful strategy to save themselves from the impending destruction by the Israelites. They disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land and approached Joshua and the Israelite leaders, claiming to have heard of the mighty deeds of the Lord.

The Treaty: Verse 17 describes how the children of Israel journeyed for three days and arrived at the cities of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. At this point, they were unaware of the Gibeonites’ deception. Instead of seeking the Lord’s counsel through prayer, Joshua and the leaders of Israel made a hasty decision to make a covenant with the Gibeonites without consulting God.

Lessons to Learn:

• Importance of Seeking God’s Guidance: The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking God’s guidance and wisdom in every decision we make. The Israelites’ failure to consult God resulted in them making a covenant with a deceitful nation, which caused complications and challenges later on.
• Consequences of Deception: The Gibeonites’ deceit highlights the dangers of deception and the need for discernment. We should be cautious of deceitful tactics that may come our way and be vigilant in seeking truth and God’s guidance.
• Honoring Commitments: Despite being deceived, Joshua and the Israelites honored the covenant they made with the Gibeonites. This demonstrates the significance of honoring commitments, even when they were made under less than ideal circumstances.

God’s Faithfulness: Although the Israelites made a mistake by not seeking God’s guidance, God remained faithful to His people. Subsequent events led to the Gibeonites becoming servants in the house of God (Joshua 9:27), and God used this situation to teach His people valuable lessons about faithfulness, obedience, and the consequences of making decisions without consulting Him.

In summary, Joshua 9:17 records the arrival of the Israelites at the cities of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim, not realizing they had been deceived by the Gibeonites. This verse serves as a reminder to seek God’s guidance, be cautious of deception, honor commitments, and trust in God’s faithfulness even when we make mistakes.