Joshua 9:15-27 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is Joshua 9:15-27. Let’s go!
Joshua 9:15-21 (NIV)
15 Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.
16 Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbors, living near them.
17 So the Israelites set out and on the third day came to their cities: Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath Jearim.
18 But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. The whole assembly grumbled against the leaders,
19 but all the leaders answered, “We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now.
20 This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them.”
21 They continued, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community.” So the leaders’ promise to them was kept.
On verses 15-21: Just as the Israelites kept their promise not to attack the Gibeonites, you and I should do everything we can to be those who keep our word or fulfill our promises, even when it hurts (Psalm 15:4).
Joshua 9:22-27 (NIV)
22 Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by saying, ‘We live a long way from you,’ while actually you live near us?
23 You are now under a curse: You will never cease to serve as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
24 They answered Joshua, “Your servants were clearly told how the LORD your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this.
25 We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.”
26 So Joshua saved them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them.
27 That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the community and for the altar of the LORD at the place the LORD would choose. And that is what they are to this day.
On verses 22-27: Because the Gibeonites feared for their lives because of the Israelites, they surrendered themselves to serve the Israelites as woodcutters and water carriers (v23), and this despite the fact that their city of Gibeon was an important city and the Gibeonites were known as a powerful military force among the nations (see Joshua 10:2).
What can we learn from this? You will always end up serving whatever or whomever it is you fear. But praise God. You and I were not meant to live in fear. As Romans 8:15 says, “For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”” God’s promises and God’s presence set us free from fear.
Heavenly Father, thank You that I no longer need to be a slave to fear because I have You in my life. May I fear You and serve You only. Also, may I be one who keeps my word and fulfills my promises, because I want to be faithful like You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
