World English Bible
- When all the kings who were beyond the Jordan, in the hill country, and in the lowland, and on all the shore of the great sea in front of Lebanon, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard of it
- they gathered themselves together to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.
- But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai,
- they also resorted to a ruse, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks on their donkeys, and old, torn-up and bound up wineskins,
- and old and patched sandals on their feet, and wore old garments. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy.
- They went to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country. Now therefore make a covenant with us.”
- The men of Israel said to the Hivites, “What if you live among us? How could we make a covenant with you?”
- They said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” Joshua said to them, “Who are you? Where do you come from?”
- They said to him, “Your servants have come from a very far country because of the name of the LORD your God; for we have heard of his fame, all that he did in Egypt,
- and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon and to Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.
- Our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, ‘Take supplies in your hand for the journey, and go to meet them. Tell them, “We are your servants. Now make a covenant with us.”’
- This our bread we took hot for our supplies out of our houses on the day we went out to go to you; but now, behold, it is dry, and has become moldy.
- These wineskins, which we filled, were new; and behold, they are torn. These our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”
- The men sampled their provisions, and didn’t ask counsel from the LORD’s mouth.
- Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them, to let them live. The princes of the congregation swore to them.
- At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they lived among them.
- The children of Israel traveled and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.
- The children of Israel didn’t strike them, because the princes of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. All the congregation murmured against the princes.
- But all the princes said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. Now therefore we may not touch them.
- We will do this to them, and let them live; lest wrath be on us, because of the oath which we swore to them.”
- The princes said to them, “Let them live.” So they became wood cutters and drawers of water for all the congregation, as the princes had spoken to them.
- Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you live among us?
- Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you will never fail to be slaves, both wood cutters and drawers of water for the house of my God.”
- They answered Joshua, and said, “Because your servants were certainly told how 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 afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing.
- Now, behold, we are in your hand. Do to us as it seems good and right to you to do.”
- He did so to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they didn’t kill them.
- That day Joshua made them wood cutters and drawers of water for the congregation and for the LORD’s altar to this day, in the place which he should choose.
“The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD.”
— Joshua 9:14 (New International Version)
Chapter 9 of Joshua recounts the curious yet instructive saga of Israel’s encounter with the Gibeonites, a Canaanite group who craftily deceived Joshua and the Israelite leaders into securing a peace treaty. At first glance, this chapter might seem simply a matter of political deception, but deeper truths lie embedded in the subtle details.
It’s valuable to understand that ancient Near Eastern nations recognized treaties and covenants as sacred commitments before their gods. When the Israelites unknowingly entered a covenant with the Gibeonites under deceitful pretenses, they felt religiously obligated to uphold the promise—even after discovering they had been manipulated. Breaking such covenants was seen as dishonoring God Himself.
Additionally, the Gibeonites’ emphasis on worn-out sandals, old wineskins, and moldy bread wasn’t accidental; in ancient times, these provided verifiable proof of an extended journey, as no supplies could stay fresh for prolonged travels. The deception was clever and culturally convincing. Archaeological excavations at today’s el-Jib (likely ancient Gibeon) confirm fortified settlements, indicating the Gibeonites’ reason to fear the Israelite invasion.
We see here a clear mistake made by the leaders of Israel: “they did not inquire of the LORD.” This passage is sobering. Israel had recently learned the painful lessons of Ai’s defeat (Joshua 7); yet human nature remained prone to settle again into independence and self-reliance. One would think that after Ai, Joshua would adopt a perpetual habit of seeking God’s direction. Yet Joshua—and indeed all believers—are prone to rely on visible evidence, clever presentations, or emotionally persuasive arguments (1 Samuel 16:7). Samuel’s similar oversight when looking at Jesse’s impressive sons reminds us that God’s wisdom surpasses outward appearances.
Several theological themes emerge from this narrative:
God Honors Covenants and Promises: Even covenants made foolishly or under unwise circumstances remain binding before God. Much later, Israel suffers consequences because King Saul violates this covenant (2 Samuel 21:1-14). Our commitments—before God and others—carry great significance.
Presumption Dangerously Replaces Dependence on God: Joshua 9 reveals the temptation toward presumption. Presumption involves acting without consulting God, innocently assuming God’s blessing without bothering to ask. Historical Christian thinkers, such as John Calvin, frequently warned of presumption, calling believers always to cautious dependence on divine counsel.
Grace in Unexpected Forms: Remarkably, the deceptive Gibeonites weren’t destroyed or cast aside. Though their deception led to servanthood (“hewers of wood and drawers of water”), the Gibeonites became incorporated into Israel, eventually serving at God’s altar and sanctuary (Joshua 9:27). God’s providence transformed even human failings into His redemptive purposes.
A brief look at Hebrew usage is insightful: - The Hebrew word translated “inquire” in Joshua 9:14 (“sha’al,” שָׁאַל) encompasses careful seeking, investigating, and even praying. The failure to “sha’al” the LORD implies negligence in deliberate spiritual discernment.
For believers today, Joshua 9 emphasizes our desperate need for discernment, reminding us never to make decisions based solely on superficial evidence or our finite wisdom. We must constantly guard our hearts against presumption, remaining humble before God. Even the most seasoned of saints must consistently inquire of the Lord, leaning upon God’s wisdom rather than human judgment.
Reflect with the hymn “Be Thou My Vision,” especially the line “Be Thou my wisdom, and Thou my true word.” This hymn beautifully encapsulates the importance of daily dependence on God’s wisdom and guidance.
Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times that I lean on human understanding and fail to seek Your counsel. Protect me from presumption and pride. Give me wisdom and discernment so that I might honor You in every decision. Remind me daily to inquire of You first, and help me see Your grace at work even amid my frailties. In Christ’s name I pray, Amen.