Joshua 9:24

“And they answered Joshua, and said, Because it was certainly told thy servants, how that the Lord thy God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you, therefore we were sore afraid of our lives because of you, and have done this thing.”

Historical Context: Joshua 9 is part of the narrative of Israel’s conquest of the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership. Prior to this chapter, the Israelites had defeated the city of Jericho and Ai. The inhabitants of the land, particularly the people of Gibeon, became aware of Israel’s victories and devised a plan to deceive Joshua and secure a peace treaty.

Deception of the Gibeonites: In Joshua 9:3-15, the Gibeonites, a nearby Canaanite city, sent a delegation to Joshua, pretending to be from a distant land. They dressed in worn-out clothes and brought moldy bread, portraying themselves as travelers who had journeyed a long distance to make a covenant of peace with Israel. Their intention was to avoid being destroyed like the other Canaanite nations.

Joshua’s Mistake: Joshua, without consulting God or seeking His guidance, made a covenant of peace with the Gibeonites, based on their deceptive appearance and claims. In verse 14, Joshua and the leaders of Israel “asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.” They were deceived by the Gibeonites’ clever scheme and failed to inquire of God’s will.

The Gibeonites’ Explanation: In Joshua 9:24, when the deception was eventually exposed, the Gibeonites confessed to Joshua. They explained that they had heard of Israel’s victories and the commandment given to Moses by God to conquer the land and destroy its inhabitants. The Gibeonites were afraid for their lives, knowing that Israel’s conquest was inevitable, so they resorted to deception to secure their survival.

Lessons Learned:

• Seek God’s Counsel: One of the primary lessons from this passage is the importance of seeking God’s guidance and counsel in every decision we make. Joshua and the Israelite leaders made a mistake by not consulting the Lord before making a covenant with the Gibeonites. We should always seek God’s wisdom and guidance through prayer, studying His Word, and seeking counsel from godly individuals.
• Consequences of Acting Independently: Joshua’s failure to seek God’s counsel resulted in making a treaty with a pagan nation. As a consequence, Israel was unable to destroy the Gibeonites, and they became a snare and a problem for Israel in the future (Joshua 9:22-27). This serves as a reminder for us to rely on God’s wisdom and not lean on our own understanding (Proverbs 3:5-6).
• Honoring Covenants: Despite the deception, Joshua and the leaders honored the covenant they had made with the Gibeonites. This demonstrates the importance of integrity and keeping our word, even when it may be challenging or inconvenient.
• God’s Sovereignty: The incident with the Gibeonites reminds us of God’s sovereignty and His ability to use even the mistakes and failures of His people to accomplish His purposes. Despite Joshua’s error, God continued to work with Israel and fulfill His promises to them.

In conclusion, Joshua 9:24 provides valuable lessons about seeking God’s counsel, the consequences of acting independently, the importance of honoring covenants, and recognizing God’s sovereignty even in our mistakes.