THE DECEPTION OF THE GIBEONITES

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In Joshua 9:1-27, we encounter an intriguing story about how the Israelites, God’s chosen people, were deceived by the Gibeonites. This passage serves as a powerful reminder of the subtlety of deception, especially when we fail to seek God’s guidance. As believers today, we too can fall into similar traps when we rely on our own understanding rather than turning to God for discernment. Let’s explore this story and draw lessons that are relevant for us today.

Joshua 9:1-2 “And it came to pass, when all the kings which were on this side Jordan, in the hills, and in the valleys, and in all the coasts of the great sea over against Lebanon, the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard thereof. That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord.”

In Joshua 9:1-2, we see that the kings of the surrounding lands unite against Israel. They realize that they share a common enemy—God’s people. Similarly, in our spiritual journey, we face an enemy that unites the forces of darkness against us. As the Apostle Paul warns in Ephesians 6:12, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against spiritual powers of darkness.

Philippians 4:13, Psalm 46:1-3, and Isaiah 41:10 remind us that God is our strength and refuge. Yet, even in our spiritual battles, we must be cautious and vigilant. Just as Israel faced deception from the Gibeonites, believers today are warned to be on guard against the subtle tactics of the devil.

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 “But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.”

2 Corinthians 11:3-4 compares the deception of Eve by the serpent to how easily we too can be led astray from the simplicity of our devotion to Christ. Like the Gibeonites, the enemy doesn’t always attack head-on. Often, deception comes wrapped in seemingly harmless or even friendly intentions.

In Joshua 9:3-14, the Gibeonites employ trickery to deceive Israel. Knowing that they are destined for destruction like the other inhabitants of Canaan, they devise a plan. They disguise themselves as travelers from a distant land, wearing old clothes and carrying moldy bread to convince Israel that they have come from afar. Their aim? To secure a peace treaty with Israel.

The critical turning point in this story comes in Joshua 9:14:

“The men of Israel sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD.”

Here, the Israelites made a significant mistake—they relied on their own judgment and failed to seek God’s guidance. They examined the provisions of the Gibeonites and trusted their senses, but they neglected to ask God for wisdom. This is a direct parallel to Proverbs 3:5-6, which tells us:

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

The lesson here is clear: whenever we face decisions—especially ones that seem straightforward—we must seek God’s wisdom. Human reasoning can be easily deceived, but God sees beyond appearances and knows the true intent of every heart. The Gibeonites succeeded in deceiving Israel because Israel acted on what they saw and understood, rather than seeking divine revelation.

Joshua 9:15-18 “And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware unto them. And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, that they heard that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them. And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.”

In Joshua 9:15-18, after entering into a covenant of peace with the Gibeonites, Israel soon discovers the truth—they were tricked. The Gibeonites were not distant travelers but were from a neighboring territory, inhabitants of the land that Israel was commanded to conquer. Israel is now bound by the oath they swore before the LORD and cannot break the treaty, even though it was founded on deception.

The key lesson here is the lasting consequences of failing to consult God. Once a covenant or agreement is made, even if it was formed under false pretenses, breaking it would bring dishonor to God’s name. In Joshua 9:19, the leaders of Israel declare:

“We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now.”

This shows the weight of keeping our promises, especially those made in the name of God. Even when we make mistakes or are deceived, we must honor our commitments.

The Gibeonites represent the subtle way in which the world can infiltrate the church and the lives of believers. While the Israelites were meant to remain separate from the inhabitants of Canaan, they now had a binding relationship with the Gibeonites. Similarly, when we allow the world’s influences to creep into our lives—through compromise or failure to seek God—we invite trouble.

The Bible repeatedly warns us not to conform to the patterns of this world (Romans 12:2). We are to be in the world but not of the world. Yet, just as Israel made peace with the Gibeonites, we sometimes allow worldly influences to shape our decisions, leading us away from God’s will.

Even though Israel was deceived and bound by their oath, God still demonstrated His mercy. In Joshua 9:22-27, while the Gibeonites were spared, they were placed in a position of servitude to Israel. They became woodcutters and water carriers for the house of God. This outcome, though not ideal, allowed Israel to maintain their integrity before God while ensuring the Gibeonites served a useful purpose within the community.

God’s grace shines through in this resolution. Even when we fall into deception or make mistakes, God provides a way forward. He redeems our failures and can use even difficult situations for His purposes.

The story of the Gibeonites serves as a profound lesson in the importance of seeking God’s guidance and the dangers of relying on our own understanding. Joshua 9:14 is a critical reminder that no matter how clear a situation may seem, we must always seek the Lord’s counsel before making decisions.

In our spiritual journey, fear and pride are ever-present foes. Pride leads us to believe we can handle things on our own, while fear may cause us to act hastily or without faith. The Israelites fell into deception because they trusted their own judgment rather than seeking God’s wisdom.

May we, as believers, remain vigilant against deception, always turning to God in prayer and seeking His guidance in all matters. And even when we make mistakes, let us trust in His mercy and grace to lead us back on the right path, redeeming even our missteps for His glory.

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding” — Proverbs 3:5