Lesson 174 - Senior
Memory Verse
"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understand" (Proverbs 3:5).
Cross References
I The Gibeonites and Their Scheme
1. The kings of Canaan combined their armies to defend themselves against Israel, [JOS:9:1-2].
2. The inhabitants of Gibeon sent an embassy for peace, [JOS:9:3-6].
3. Joshua and Israel questioned the Gibeonites to ascertain their nationality, [JOS:9:7-13].
II The League
1. The men of Israel made the league that the Gibeonites desired, without asking counsel of God, [JOS:9:14-15].
2. Three days later Israel found that the Gibeonites were their near neighbours, [JOS:9:16-17].
3. Israel respected their league, [JOS:9:18-20]; [PS:15:4].
III Servitude, the Result of Deceit
1. The course that Gibeon followed was prompted by fear, [JOS:9:24-25].
2. The Gibeonites remained alive, but they were sentenced to bond service, [JOS:9:21-23], [JOS:9:26-27].
Notes
Israel's Adversaries
When the kings of Canaan heard of all that God had done for Israel in utterly destroying Jericho and Ai, they gathered to fight against Israel. Probably these kings had never been able to agree on anything before this time, but now that this common danger confronted them, they realised the time was at hand for concerted action.
It was a late hour to plan a defence now that Israel, God's destroying army, was at their very door. Why hadn't they done something long before, while the was time and opportunity? Sinners today stand condemned before God for their sins, and know surely that judgement will fall unless they repent. How much better to turn now, while God's Spirit in mercy is pleading. To wait until your sins have found you out may be waiting too long. It will mean eternal death to keep those sins until they come following you to the judgement ([1TM:5:24]).
Gibeon's Idea
None of the Canaanites had any real heart for war, however, for the Most High had filled their hearts with terror. They might attempt any defence they pleased, but nothing could stand before the wrath of God. "Though hand join in hand, the wicked shall not be unpunished" (Proverbs 11:21). Israel had no need to fear the gathering of Satan's emissaries against them. "The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect" (Psalm 33:10). God takes care of His children just as carefully today as he took care of Israel in that day. "For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 8:38, 39). If any man is separated from Christ, it is the result of that man's failure in his duty to Christ. While the kings of Canaan were plotting what proved to be an unavailing defence against Israel, the inhabitants of Gibeon and three confederate cities planned a different method of escape. These cities were situated in a pass that was the key to central Palestine, and would be the logical target for Joshua's next military operation. The Gibeonites had to act quickly if they hoped to be spared.
Note the extent of the Gibeonites knowledge of God's Word. They knew that God had commanded Israel to destroy all the inhabitants of Canaan (verse 24). They seemingly knew, too, that the Children of Israel were at liberty to make peace with the cities, which were very far off from Canaan ([DEU:20:10-15]).
People feign ignorance of God's Word today. When we read: "Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world" (Romans 10:18), we are led to believe that men know more of God's Word than they are willing to acknowledge. No man will be judged for what he does not know, but he will be held accountable for every ray of light that he does have. "That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world" (John 1:9).
False Ambassadors
The Gibeonites took advantage of this knowledge and worked cunningly to save themselves alive. They feigned to be ambassadors from a far country coming to Israel to worship the Lord whose fame had spread far and near. To lend credence to their story of a long journey, the Gibeonites displayed old garments, worn-out shoes, dry mouldy bread, and wine bottles torn and bound up. They declared that all these items had been new and fresh at the outset of their journey.
Joshua seemed to distrust the ambassadors from Gibeon; their story did not ring quite true. He asked what country they werefrom, pointing out the fact that no league could be made with the inhabitants of Canaan. The Gibeonites answered to the effect that their country was so far away Joshua probably had never heard of it, so why tell the name? Did not their shoes, clothes, and provisions tell more than words ever could tell? They were not asking Joshua for a very great favour, at least so they reasoned. "Make ye league with us," is all they wanted.
Some people seem to enjoy leaguing themselves with Christian people, but they are not willing to live a Christian life. Others, like Balaam, desire to die the death of the righteous; but in order to die a righteous man's death, it will be necessary to live a righteous man's life. A league or affiliation with them might possibly prolong the span of life on this earth, as in the case of the Gibeonites, but it will never avail for eternal life. To secure eternal life, a covenant must be made directly with God and an overcoming life practiced day by day; then fellowship with fellow Christians will have the true meaning.
No Counsel From God
Joshua and the princes of Israel made the league that Gibeon desired. The princes of Israel probably made a feast for the men of Gibeon. To the present day, eating together in the Eastern countries is a true indication of steadfast friendship. We are told that those who thus eat together feel bound thereby to a permanent covenant of peace. "The men took their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD" (verse 14). These are the saddest words spoken concerning Joshua in the whole Bible. Why did not Joshua seek counsel through the Urim and Thummim, oracles of God given for such circumstances s this? Men can often fool their fellow men, but they can never fool the Lord. "Jesus . . . needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man" (John 2:24, 25).
Do you not think that God is grieved with His children if they rush about day after day and never seek His counsel? Did not Jesus reprove Martha for having too much worldly care, and did He not commend Mary for sitting at His feet to learn of Him? These said words spoken of Joshua should be such a lesson to us that similar words will never be spoken about us. Failure to ask counsel of the Lord in even one thing may lead to a mistake that will cause suffering the remainder of our lives.
Worldly Wise
The Gibeonites proved to be worldly wise, but the Lord has said: "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. . . . Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?" (I Corinthians 1:19, 20).
Many people are worldly wise today and have concocted religions that they trust will take them safely through to Heaven. The codes and theories of men are almost as numerous as men themselves, each man having a little different opinion; but codes and theories are insufficient. As surely as the Gibeonites' wise scheme came to a sad ending, so surely will anything else end in utter ruin except God's plan of salvation.
The Right Way
Who is right, or what is the right way? Among the many truths of God's Word, the Bible plainly declares two fundamental truths: "The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many" (Matthew 20:28); and, "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3). Jesus expressed the same thought again: "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3. Paul declared to the Corinthians: "I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified" (I Corinthians 2:2). This is the true foundation stone of all acceptable worship of God, and to know Christ is to live every day like Him. Anything less will never stand in the day of judgement.
There is no back door into Heaven. Jesus said: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. . . . I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved" (John 10:1, 9). Too many people are like the Gibeonites! They think only of their physical safety and are not much concerned about their spiritual welfare.
The Respected Agreement
The Gibeonites, by craftiness and guile, obtained the league they sought with Israel. Three days later Israel heard that Gibeon and their confederate cities were within a few days' march from Gilgal, so Israel journeyed thither. The congregation of Israel wanted to destroy the cities, but Joshua and the princes of the congregation told the people about the league that had been made with Gibeon. Though the covenant had been made through false representation, yet it had been made before the Lord, and the rulers of Israel determined that it must stand. How much more must a covenant with God, made in sincerity and with a knowledge of God's will for man, be honoured in men's hearts today. Some people make vows to God when they are in trouble, then consider it a light matter not to pay those vows after God has answered the prayer and cleared away the trouble. How much better to be like Joshua and the princes of Israel on this occasion, and keep the covenant that has been made before God. When a covenant with God is kept, then the sunshine of God's love is manifest to that heart.
Fraud's Payment
The Gibeonites fraud resulted in their being sentenced to perpetual servitude as drawers of water and hewers of wood. Cannot you see how a lie will degrade a man? These once mighty men were reduced to bond servants because they were not men enough to tell the truth.
What would have happened to the Gibeonites had they told the truth and had come in true repentance? Would not the same God who spared Rahab and her family from the destruction of Jericho have spared these Gibeonites? Did not the same God later pronounce complete destruction upon Nineveh, yet alter His decree when the inhabitants sincerely repented? Nineveh was finally destroyed, but repentance lengthened the tranquility of that city from 40 days to more than 200 years. "When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right; if the wicked restore the pledge, give again that he had robbed, walk in the statutes of life, without committing iniquity; he shall surely live, he shall not die" (Ezekiel 33:14, 15). Thus we have every reason to believe that the Gibeonites would have found mercy in coming openly to God. There is only one way to escape the judgement of God, and that is to flee to His mercy.
Willing Servants
Did it please God to have these bond servants working for Him? It seems that He allowed it to show His approval to Joshua and the princes of the congregation for their respect to the covenant made before God. However, this could not have been God's perfect plan. He does not desire drafted soldiers in His army; only volunteers will be accepted. The Levites stand as God's pattern to all who desires to work for God. When Moses cried out in dire need: "Who is on the LORD'S side? let him come unto me" (Exodus 32:26), all the sons of Levi came up to God's help. Another worthy example is Isaiah, who answered: "Here am I; send me," when he heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" (Isaiah 6:8). These are the types of men and women -" willing servants -" that God is looking for today.
Questions
1. What reaction did Israel's victories over Jericho and Ai have upon the kings of Canaan?
2. What did the inhabitants of Gibeon do when they heard of Israel's success?
3. How far away from Israel's encampment at Gilgal was the city of Gibeon located?
4. What was the Gibeonites' one request of Joshua and the princes of Israel?
5. How did the ambassadors from Gibeon obtain their request?
6. Do you think it is profitable to use fraud to obtain anything in this world?
7. How were the Gibeonites punished for telling a lie?
8. On the day of judgement what will happen to all liars?
9. What type of people does the Lord seek to serve Him?