03.23.2015 Old Testament: Jos 9.22–27

To read the Bible in a year, read Joshua 9–10 on March 23, In the year of our Lord 2015

By Don Ruhl

The Gibeonites lived in the Land of Canaan, and they knew that the God of Israel had commanded them to enter the land and take it. The Gibeonites knew that it would so happen, because they had heard of what the Lord had already done the previous forty years, starting with the plagues upon Egypt. Therefore, the Gibeonites sought to make peace with Israel, but they did it by deception,

Then Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you dwell near us? Now therefore, you are cursed, and none of you shall be freed from being slaves—woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.” So they answered Joshua and said, “Because your servants were clearly told that the Lord your 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 very much afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing. And now, here we are, in your hands; do with us as it seems good and right to do to us.” So he did to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they did not kill them. And that day Joshua made them woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, in the place which He would choose, even to this day (Joshua 9.22–27). 

They thus survived, although as workers for Israel, but they no doubt thought that was better than death. If they truly feared the Lord, could they not have confessed that truth and presented themselves as converts, much as Rahab had done?

Do not deceive, but speak the truth and it will carry you to great places, but deception will hold you back.