Portion for Reading Joshua 7-9Msg: 9
1. The Gibeonites deceived Israelites so that they would disobey God. Satan is the same way, he is a deceiver. We must learn some lessons so that if Satan comes to us, whether as a "serpent" or the "Gibeonites" to lead us to disobedience, we can be aware.
a)How are the Gibeonites' tactics similar to Satan's?
A. Disguise (v.4) Knew that if they pretended to be from far away, they could make a treaty of peace. So they disguised themselves and covered up the truth. Satan also comes to us in disguise, often as an "angel of light."
B.Lies (v.6). The Gibeonites lied about where they were from. That is exactly Satan's language as he is the father of lies
A. Usage of God's Word. The Gibeonites knew the OT commands concerning making treaties with people from distant lands. They played around with the Word of God and used it for their benefit and to deceive the Israelites into disobedience. Satan also plays around with the Word and changes it to cause us to disobey. In Gen 3, he played around with God's own words to cause Eve to eat the fruit. In Matt 4, he tries to tempt Jesus to sin by using the Scripture wrongly.
B. Usage of half-truth. There was a lot of truth, but just enough lie to deceive them. Again, in Gen 3, Satan told Eve that she would be like God in power, but did not tell her that death would result from such knowledge. Attack through senses (v.12-13). Trusted in what they saw and heard (the bread was moldy, the wineskins old) rather than the Word of God. Eve first saw that the fruit looked good, and then put that desire into action. Satan attacks our senses because he knows that we're weak in that area.
b)What mistakes did the Israelites make?
A. They did not inquire of the Lord (v.14). They did not pray and ask Him what to do with the Gibeonites. Even in the seemingly sure situations, we must ask at the door of heaven. Every choice must be bathed in prayer.
B. Did not carefully study God's Word. If they truly knew the Word, they wouldn't have been so quick to be deceived and make commitments they shouldn't have.
C. Did not carefully check facts and misapplied Word of God in wrong context. There can be no compromise in the Word of God, ever. God had told them to destroy all the people they encountered in Canaan, but they compromised this command.
D. Went by feeling rather than what God said. Just because it feels right does not necessarily mean that it is right.
E. Foolishly made commitment (v.14-15). Be careful making commitments. They are not to be taken lightly. If they are made, they are to be kept till death (v.19).
2. We can learn in two ways: the easy or the hard way. The hard way is to experience the mistakes ourselves and learn by pain. The easy way is to learn through the wisdom of God's Word. Experience is a good teacher, but God's Word is the best teacher. What additional wisdom or lessons can you learn from the whole chapter?
A. We must live what we say (v.19). That is what a covenant community is. Even though they were deceived into making a covenant with the Gibeonites, they kept their promise not to attack them. Two wrongs do not make a right. Just like God who keeps His Word, we must reflect Him in the commitments we make and be true to our word.
B. God is a faithful God. 2 Sam 21:1-2- Saul kills some Gibeonites and the Israelites went through three years of famine as a curse because the covenant was broken. God remembered and upheld the covenant made, even years later.
C. Grace of God (v.27).Gibeonites were used to serve near the altar of God. In the situation where they were cursed, they also received blessing because they learned about God and eventually became part of the covenant community. Same as us, we deserved to be cursed and die. But God, in His grace, gives us blessing from curse and saves us and brings us into covenant community.
3. The Gibeonites find salvation in the God of Israel much like Rahab did in Joshua 2.
a. Both Rahab and the Gibeonites came to the God of Israel as sinners, Rahab as a harlot, and the Gibeonites as liars.
b. Both Rahab and the Gibeonites were willing at risk to forsake their former associations and be counted among God’s people.
i. The risk of Gibeon is explained in Joshua 10:4, where they are a target of attack for their dealings with Israel.
c. Both Rahab and the Gibeonites, after they found salvation through the God of Israel, had a rich history.
4. The Gibeonites after Joshua 9.
a. The Gibeonites became servants at the tabernacle, just as Joshua had commanded.
b. Gibeon becomes a priestly city; the Ark of the Covenant stayed at Gibeon often in the days of David and Solomon (1 Chronicles 16:39-40 and 21:29).
c. At least one of David’s mighty men was a Gibeonite (1 Chronicles 12:4).
d. God spoke to Solomon at Gibeon (1 Kings 3:4).
e. Gibeonites were among those who rebuilt the walls of Jerusalem with Nehemiah (Nehemiah 3:7 and 7:25).
f. These are examples of the great things God can do with people who are sinners, but come to Him in humility and love.
© 2001 David Guzik - No distribution beyond personal use without permission