Joshua 9 Gibeon’s Deception

Israel’s victories over Jericho and Ai reinforced the fears of the neighboring Canaanite cities. Next in the Conquest might have been Gibeon, a mighty city, like a royal city, even stronger than Ai (Josh 10:2). Yet, as great as Gibeon was, its inhabitants knew they could not stop the Israelites from destroying them, unless they could come up with a way to fool them.

9:1-2           Coalition

Sets stage for southern and northern campaigns of the Conquest, described in Josh 10 and 11.

Frightened kings grouped in three areas: those from the hill country of central Palestine, the western foothills (valleys or lowlands), and the coastal plain stretching north to Lebanon.

If they had united … But they could not.

Result: Joshua can divide and conquer.

Yet some Canaanites will still form alliances against Israel.

9:3-6          Cunning

Gibeon – in the hill country, 6 mi. NW of Jerusalem, 6 mi. SW of Ai.

Identified with el-Jib, confirmed by discovery of numerous jar handles inscribed with “Gibeon”.

An important city (10:2) head of a small group including three neighboring towns (cf. 9:17).

Israel could make peace with distant cities, but  had to wipe out the seven nearby Canaanite nations (Deut. 20:10-18; 7:1-2).

In their mind, “Either we lie or we die!”

9:7              Caution

Hivites: of Canaan, of Ham (11:19; Ge 10:17).

What might have tipped the Israelites off?

Is it smart to be skeptical, hesitant, suspicious?

Did the Israelites ask the right question?

If so, why did they fall for this scam?

What if you ask a liar, “Are you lying?”

As with Ai at first, they did not ask Yahweh.

What scams today do cons use effectively?

9:8-13         Confirmation

Once again, knowledge of Yahweh, events in Egypt, defeat of Amorite kings Sihon and Og.

How did they pull it off?

They offered fake evidence as proof.

They had no independent corroboration.

They sounded and looked convincing.

They based their plea on religious faith.

They aroused sympathy.

They led the leaders to drop their guard.

9:14            Carelessness

How easily we judge by outward appearance!

We fail to look deeper, to investigate, to check!

Jas 4:13-15 “If the Lord wills …”

We must pray before committing to …

9:15            Covenant

In OT times, an oath made without sufficient forethought or knowledge was still binding.

Isaac (Jacob’s deception). Ge 27

Jephthah. Jud 11

“Better not to vow …” Eccl 5:4-7

Saul later broke this vow and killed Gibeonites. Result: a 3-year famine. 2 Sam 21:1-6

9:16-21     Consequences

If Israel had waited just three days …

Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.

The leaders’ rash vow --- the people’s complaint.

Better to cut wood and draw water than die!

9:22-25     Confrontation

“Why did you deceive us?”

Whatever a person does, right or wrong … he has a reason for it, right or wrong.

Behavior changes only when the reason changes.

Whatever a person does, right or wrong … he faces consequences, good or bad.

“Now therefore you are cursed.”

When people act out of fear …

Did they get what they wanted – real freedom?

They became slaves, subject to others’ choices.

9:26-27     Conclusion

To cut wood and draw water “to this day.”

Yet a great victory would be next. Josh 10

Five kings unite to attack Gibeon.

Keeping the vow, Joshua defends Gibeon.

The LORD miraculously intervenes.

Great progress results for Israel’s conquest.