GIBEONITES LIVE

Passage: Joshua 9:16-27

Key verse: 24

NIV

16 Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near(A) them. 17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth(B) and Kiriath Jearim.(C) 18 But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath(D) to them by the Lord, the God of Israel.

The whole assembly grumbled(E) against the leaders, 19 but all the leaders answered, “We have given them our oath by the Lord, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. 20 This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that God’s wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath(F) we swore to them.” 21 They continued, “Let them live,(G) but let them be woodcutters and water carriers(H) in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept.

22 Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by saying, ‘We live a long way(I) from you,’ while actually you live near(J) us? 23 You are now under a curse:(K) You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”

24 They answered Joshua, “Your servants were clearly told(L) how the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this. 25 We are now in your hands.(M) Do to us whatever seems good and right(N) to you.”

26 So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them. 27 That day he made the Gibeonites(O) woodcutters and water carriers(P) for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the Lord at the place the Lord would choose.(Q) And that is what they are to this day.

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Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

16 At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors (A)and that they lived among them. 17 And the people of Israel set out and reached their cities on the third day. (B)Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. 18 But the people of Israel did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. Then all the congregation murmured against the leaders. 19 But all the leaders said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them. 20 This we will do to them: let them live, lest (C)wrath be upon us, (D)because of the oath that we swore to them.” 21 And the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became (E)cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, just as the leaders (F)had said of them.

22 Joshua summoned them, and he said to them, “Why did you deceive us, saying, (G)‘We are very far from you,’ when (H)you dwell among us? 23 Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you shall never be anything but servants, (I)cutters of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.” 24 They answered Joshua, “Because it was told to your servants for a certainty that the Lord your God had (J)commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you—so (K)we feared greatly for our lives because of you and did this thing. 25 And now, behold, we are in your hand. Whatever seems good and right in your sight to do to us, do it.” 26 So he did this to them and delivered them out of the hand of the people of Israel, and they did not kill them. 27 But Joshua made them that day (L)cutters of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, to this day, (M)in the place that he should choose.

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The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

The Israelites learned that they were deceived by the Gibeonites. However, since they made an oath before God, the Israelites could not kill them.

If the Israelites had inquired of God and made a right decision before God, they could have gotten rid of all their neighboring nations.

But because of their foolish decision made without the wisdom of God, they now suffered the consequence. They now had to deal with all these remaining Gibeonites. They were not Israelites; they did not know God. The Israelites could be influenced by their idolatrous culture.

The Gibeonites were saved, and they served as woodcutters and water carriers for the assembly. Our God is a merciful God. Although this was a foolish act by the Israelites and a deception by the Gibeonites, God let them both live. God allowed the Israelites to continue to be victorious and allowed the Gibeonites to live and survive among the Israelites. This is our God’s wonderful mercy and grace. His great mercy was shown by his Son dying on the cross for our sin.

Prayer: Lord, thank you for your mercy upon us in spite of our weaknesses.

One Word: God forgives us our sins.