Joshua 9:3-21 (NIV)
3 However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded[a] with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. 5 They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. 6 Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the Israelites, “We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us.” 7 The Israelites said to the Hivites, “But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty with you?” 8 “We are your servants,” they said to Joshua. But Joshua asked, “Who are you and where do you come from?” 9 They answered: “Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt, 10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. 11 And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, ‘Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say to them, “We are your servants; make a treaty with us.”’ 12 This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. 13 And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey.” 14 The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. 15 Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. 16 Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them. 17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim. 18 But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. The whole assembly grumbled 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 we swore to them.” 21 They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept.
I think this is a very important scripture that shows us a few crucial points to take into account and always refer to them when doubting something. God requires us to test before trusting something; also to realize that it will not produce the right effect if not checked against God`s word; if it`s not in sync with the Holy Spirit`s discernment that He gives to those who dwell in His word and to those who are filled by the Holy Spirit.
This scripture makes many excellent points that we should take into account and learn from:
- God never contradicts His word, so when God swore to Israelites they would have problems if they didn`t obey Him to drive all the surrounding nations out of the area and get rid of them for good, He made sure to explicitly make them aware that they would bring all sorts of horrible consequences to their lives should they disobey His word. It is important for us to remember to stay obedient to His word and to check all the facts against what He wrote in scriptures to make sure it`s in sync with what we see if the facts are unclear.
- It is important to know God`s word and to have Holy Spirit`s discernment for the facts and circumstances because we would not be able to check anything against His scriptures if don`t know God`s word; if it`s not engraved in our hearts. Joshua and the leaders who should have been dwelling in God`s word and asking God`s advice, decided on their own ignoring all the doubts and unchecked facts about the Gibeonites. They should have checked if the nation is located anywhere within their required parameter knowing ahead of time they had to go to war with those nations. They should have tested Gibeonites before trusting them.
- Satan knows how to lie because he mastered that above all other things, so when we face battles: whether those are physical, emotional, spiritual, there is always Satan who would come to tempt us to take the easiest way out. That way out is not always the right or obedient way, but it`s always as a way of temptation which would be professionally masked for us not to be able to discern the deceptive facts if dealing with them in our flesh (without asking God`s provision and direction).
Just in case if you don`t know, Satan knows God`s scripture better than anyone else, and we see how well he was able to twist few words here and there when tempting Jesus in the desert (Matthew 4-11). It is only by knowing God`s word in and out, would we be able to resist him and to battle those tempting deceitful solutions that he provides as an easy way out.
Paul made sure he meticulously described our full armor that we have to wear at all times in order to be able to resist Satan:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV)
We have to be fully armored at all times because we never know when our "Gideonites" may show up to tempt us and provoke us to disobey the Lord.
- It is important to know the reason why God orders and does something. God required that Israelites would drive the surrounding nations out due to their wickedness and to assure that Israelites would not fall into idolatry as a result of negative influence, which is exactly what happened to them as we know from the subsequent scripture stories (please refer to my earlier article ("Thorns In Your Side").
The reason why God was so adamant about annihilating those nations is stated in Deuteronomy 9:1-5 (NIV)
1 Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. 2 The people are strong and tall—Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: “Who can stand up against the Anakites?” 3 But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you. 4 After the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The LORD has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is going to drive them out before you. 5 It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
God decided to annihilate those surrounding nations due to their wickedness just like He`s done to Sodom and Gomorrah for all the evil they were doing; just like He`s done with people during Noah`s time by destroying everyone else but his family. It is due to the human wickedness that God allows these kinds of disasters with nations even in our world today.
- Another important point is Joshua and the leaders were so hyped up in the previous victory over Jericho, they took it for granted that God would preserve them in whatever circumstances even through their disobedience. That`s just another mistake on their part because God requires us to go to Him every time to check against His will, against His word to make sure we obey it completely.
I don`t ever want to fall into the old pattern of making decisions on my own before questioning God`s will first. I had 5 court dates, and all of them were successful because I came to God every single time to ask for His word to sustain me, to direct my path, so I follow His will; I want to continue to be driven by motivation to show His glory in the end. We see how God made sure to warn Israelites not to assume their victories were due to their righteousness because it wasn`t; they were stiff necked people. Their victory was due to God`s will and promise to Abraham, Isaak and Jacob; it was due to His will to annihilate those wicked nations for all their evildoing.
- This scripture warns us not to swear by God or to make promises by His name because it restricts our actions and His actions in the long run. When we promise something by His word, we tie His hands and bring automatically negative consequences on our heads. Just like in this scripture, Joshua and the leaders could not go back on their word, so not to make God angry and bring punishment on the Israelites, so they made Gibeonites into slaves instead. That restricted Israelites from killing Gibeonites as God initially directed them to do with all the surrounding nations.
- It is important to remember that all decisions that we make effect others around us one way or another. In this case, the decision of Joshua and the leaders impacted the consequences for the entire nation. Every decision that I make effects me, my family, my job, my ministry, my life, and the circle gets wider and wider depending on the decision for those whom it involves. I make it a habit to pray that God would direct my paths to avoid making stupid costly mistakes because I`ve already made plenty of those.
When I read this scripture today, it immediately reminds me of the doubts that I have regarding trusting my husband ever again. I have to be honest that as I was thinking about the story of Joseph and the way it took him and his brothers over 13 years to overcome the betrayal by Joseph`s brothers, who sold him into slavery, I realize that the waiting time period for my circumstances extends not only due to my heart`s attitude but also due to my husband`s heart attitude.
God allows us to test those who betray us; He gives discernment as a way of protection to distinguish the reality of change in one`s heart. As I listed above, the discernment is only possible when we dwell in God`s word and maintain that closeness in relationship with Him. Joseph was testing his brothers when he saw them first, and he tested them twice before he uncovered his true identity to them to make sure they repented, changed, and he was changed himself to be receptive enough to their apology and repentance.
Joshua did not put to test his trust in Gibeonites although he would have been justified to do that, but instead he chose to follow his own common sense guidance which misrepresented God and restricted Him.
I pray that I don`t harden my heart to make myself deaf to the Holy Spirit`s discernment and that God continues to sustain me in His guidance to make the right decisions only to glorify Him. I pray that God gives me patience to take into account that endless and exhausting waiting that I go through, so it produces only proper outcomes allowing the right amount of circumstances and consequences to conform my heart and my husband`s heart.
If you feel like there are some doubts in your heart about making certain decision, check it against God`s word and pray for His guidance. Don`t be like Joshua who forgot to question God`s will in making decision about Gibeonites (verse 14):
14 The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD.
3 However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded[a] with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. 5 They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. 6 Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the Israelites, “We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us.” 7 The Israelites said to the Hivites, “But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty with you?” 8 “We are your servants,” they said to Joshua. But Joshua asked, “Who are you and where do you come from?” 9 They answered: “Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we have heard reports of him: all that he did in Egypt, 10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites east of the Jordan—Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. 11 And our elders and all those living in our country said to us, ‘Take provisions for your journey; go and meet them and say to them, “We are your servants; make a treaty with us.”’ 12 This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. 13 And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey.” 14 The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. 15 Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. 16 Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them. 17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim. 18 But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. The whole assembly grumbled 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 we swore to them.” 21 They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers in the service of the whole assembly.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept.
I think this is a very important scripture that shows us a few crucial points to take into account and always refer to them when doubting something. God requires us to test before trusting something; also to realize that it will not produce the right effect if not checked against God`s word; if it`s not in sync with the Holy Spirit`s discernment that He gives to those who dwell in His word and to those who are filled by the Holy Spirit.
This scripture makes many excellent points that we should take into account and learn from:
- God never contradicts His word, so when God swore to Israelites they would have problems if they didn`t obey Him to drive all the surrounding nations out of the area and get rid of them for good, He made sure to explicitly make them aware that they would bring all sorts of horrible consequences to their lives should they disobey His word. It is important for us to remember to stay obedient to His word and to check all the facts against what He wrote in scriptures to make sure it`s in sync with what we see if the facts are unclear.
- It is important to know God`s word and to have Holy Spirit`s discernment for the facts and circumstances because we would not be able to check anything against His scriptures if don`t know God`s word; if it`s not engraved in our hearts. Joshua and the leaders who should have been dwelling in God`s word and asking God`s advice, decided on their own ignoring all the doubts and unchecked facts about the Gibeonites. They should have checked if the nation is located anywhere within their required parameter knowing ahead of time they had to go to war with those nations. They should have tested Gibeonites before trusting them.
- Satan knows how to lie because he mastered that above all other things, so when we face battles: whether those are physical, emotional, spiritual, there is always Satan who would come to tempt us to take the easiest way out. That way out is not always the right or obedient way, but it`s always as a way of temptation which would be professionally masked for us not to be able to discern the deceptive facts if dealing with them in our flesh (without asking God`s provision and direction).
Just in case if you don`t know, Satan knows God`s scripture better than anyone else, and we see how well he was able to twist few words here and there when tempting Jesus in the desert (Matthew 4-11). It is only by knowing God`s word in and out, would we be able to resist him and to battle those tempting deceitful solutions that he provides as an easy way out.
Paul made sure he meticulously described our full armor that we have to wear at all times in order to be able to resist Satan:
10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. 18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Ephesians 6:10-18 NIV)
We have to be fully armored at all times because we never know when our "Gideonites" may show up to tempt us and provoke us to disobey the Lord.
- It is important to know the reason why God orders and does something. God required that Israelites would drive the surrounding nations out due to their wickedness and to assure that Israelites would not fall into idolatry as a result of negative influence, which is exactly what happened to them as we know from the subsequent scripture stories (please refer to my earlier article ("Thorns In Your Side").
The reason why God was so adamant about annihilating those nations is stated in Deuteronomy 9:1-5 (NIV)
1 Hear, Israel: You are now about to cross the Jordan to go in and dispossess nations greater and stronger than you, with large cities that have walls up to the sky. 2 The people are strong and tall—Anakites! You know about them and have heard it said: “Who can stand up against the Anakites?” 3 But be assured today that the LORD your God is the one who goes across ahead of you like a devouring fire. He will destroy them; he will subdue them before you. And you will drive them out and annihilate them quickly, as the LORD has promised you. 4 After the LORD your God has driven them out before you, do not say to yourself, “The LORD has brought me here to take possession of this land because of my righteousness.” No, it is on account of the wickedness of these nations that the LORD is going to drive them out before you. 5 It is not because of your righteousness or your integrity that you are going in to take possession of their land; but on account of the wickedness of these nations, the LORD your God will drive them out before you, to accomplish what he swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
God decided to annihilate those surrounding nations due to their wickedness just like He`s done to Sodom and Gomorrah for all the evil they were doing; just like He`s done with people during Noah`s time by destroying everyone else but his family. It is due to the human wickedness that God allows these kinds of disasters with nations even in our world today.
- Another important point is Joshua and the leaders were so hyped up in the previous victory over Jericho, they took it for granted that God would preserve them in whatever circumstances even through their disobedience. That`s just another mistake on their part because God requires us to go to Him every time to check against His will, against His word to make sure we obey it completely.
I don`t ever want to fall into the old pattern of making decisions on my own before questioning God`s will first. I had 5 court dates, and all of them were successful because I came to God every single time to ask for His word to sustain me, to direct my path, so I follow His will; I want to continue to be driven by motivation to show His glory in the end. We see how God made sure to warn Israelites not to assume their victories were due to their righteousness because it wasn`t; they were stiff necked people. Their victory was due to God`s will and promise to Abraham, Isaak and Jacob; it was due to His will to annihilate those wicked nations for all their evildoing.
- This scripture warns us not to swear by God or to make promises by His name because it restricts our actions and His actions in the long run. When we promise something by His word, we tie His hands and bring automatically negative consequences on our heads. Just like in this scripture, Joshua and the leaders could not go back on their word, so not to make God angry and bring punishment on the Israelites, so they made Gibeonites into slaves instead. That restricted Israelites from killing Gibeonites as God initially directed them to do with all the surrounding nations.
- It is important to remember that all decisions that we make effect others around us one way or another. In this case, the decision of Joshua and the leaders impacted the consequences for the entire nation. Every decision that I make effects me, my family, my job, my ministry, my life, and the circle gets wider and wider depending on the decision for those whom it involves. I make it a habit to pray that God would direct my paths to avoid making stupid costly mistakes because I`ve already made plenty of those.
When I read this scripture today, it immediately reminds me of the doubts that I have regarding trusting my husband ever again. I have to be honest that as I was thinking about the story of Joseph and the way it took him and his brothers over 13 years to overcome the betrayal by Joseph`s brothers, who sold him into slavery, I realize that the waiting time period for my circumstances extends not only due to my heart`s attitude but also due to my husband`s heart attitude.
God allows us to test those who betray us; He gives discernment as a way of protection to distinguish the reality of change in one`s heart. As I listed above, the discernment is only possible when we dwell in God`s word and maintain that closeness in relationship with Him. Joseph was testing his brothers when he saw them first, and he tested them twice before he uncovered his true identity to them to make sure they repented, changed, and he was changed himself to be receptive enough to their apology and repentance.
Joshua did not put to test his trust in Gibeonites although he would have been justified to do that, but instead he chose to follow his own common sense guidance which misrepresented God and restricted Him.
I pray that I don`t harden my heart to make myself deaf to the Holy Spirit`s discernment and that God continues to sustain me in His guidance to make the right decisions only to glorify Him. I pray that God gives me patience to take into account that endless and exhausting waiting that I go through, so it produces only proper outcomes allowing the right amount of circumstances and consequences to conform my heart and my husband`s heart.
If you feel like there are some doubts in your heart about making certain decision, check it against God`s word and pray for His guidance. Don`t be like Joshua who forgot to question God`s will in making decision about Gibeonites (verse 14):
14 The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD.
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