Joshua 9:8

“And they said unto Joshua, We are thy servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are ye? and from whence come ye?”

To better understand the context, let’s explore the surrounding verses and the broader story. In Joshua 9, we find the account of the Gibeonite deception. The Gibeonites, who were inhabitants of the land of Canaan, heard about the victories of the Israelites and feared for their own safety. Instead of engaging in battle against the Israelites, they resorted to a cunning plan to secure a treaty with Israel.

In the earlier verses, we learn that the Gibeonites disguised themselves by dressing in worn-out clothes and worn-out sandals. They also took dry, moldy bread and wine skins that were old and patched up. They presented themselves before Joshua and the Israelite leaders as if they had come from a faraway land, seeking a covenant of peace.

When the Gibeonites appeared before Joshua, they declared in verse 8, “We are thy servants.” They portrayed themselves as travelers who had heard about the fame and deeds of the Israelites and had come to make a treaty with them. However, Joshua, being cautious, asked them, “Who are ye? and from whence come ye?”

This verse highlights Joshua’s prudence in seeking to verify the identity and intentions of the Gibeonites. As the leader of the Israelites, he understood the importance of discernment and the need to seek guidance from the Lord before making any agreements or alliances. Joshua’s question aimed to ascertain their true origin and purpose, as he did not want to be deceived or swayed by appearances.

The Gibeonite deception serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of seeking God’s guidance and not being swayed solely by outward appearances. In the subsequent verses, we learn that Joshua and the leaders of Israel were deceived by the Gibeonites’ clever ruse. They failed to seek counsel from the Lord and made a covenant with the Gibeonites, only to discover later that they were inhabitants of the Promised Land, which would have required their expulsion according to God’s command.

This incident highlights the significance of seeking God’s wisdom and guidance in all our decisions. It reminds us of the importance of discernment, not being swayed by appearances, and seeking the Lord’s counsel through prayer, studying His Word, and seeking wise counsel from others.