Topical Bible: Alliances: Joshua and the Gibeonites

◄ Alliances: Joshua and the Gibeonites ►

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The account of Joshua and the Gibeonites is a significant narrative found in the Book of Joshua, specifically in Joshua 9. This account highlights the complexities and consequences of alliances formed under deceptive circumstances, as well as the importance of seeking divine guidance in decision-making.

Background

After the Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, successfully conquered Jericho and Ai, the surrounding Canaanite kingdoms became increasingly alarmed. Recognizing the threat posed by the Israelites, several of these kingdoms formed a coalition to resist the advancing Israelite forces. However, the Gibeonites, who were Hivites living in the region, chose a different approach to ensure their survival.

The Deception

The Gibeonites, aware of the Israelites' divine mandate to conquer the land, resorted to deception to secure a peace treaty. They disguised themselves as envoys from a distant land, wearing worn-out clothes and carrying moldy bread and cracked wineskins. Approaching Joshua and the Israelite leaders at Gilgal, they claimed to have come from a far-off country and sought a covenant of peace.

Joshua 9:14-15 records the critical moment: "Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not seek the counsel of the LORD. And Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them."

The Discovery

Three days after the treaty was made, the Israelites discovered the truth: the Gibeonites were actually their neighbors, living within the land that God had promised to Israel. Despite the deception, the Israelites honored the treaty because they had sworn an oath before the LORD. This decision, while upholding the sanctity of their oath, also demonstrated the binding nature of covenants made in God's name.

Consequences and Integration

The Gibeonites, having secured their safety through deceit, were assigned to be woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and the altar of the LORD. Joshua 9:27 states, "On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the LORD at the place He would choose, and they are to this day."

This arrangement allowed the Gibeonites to live among the Israelites, integrating them into the community while fulfilling a servile role. The Gibeonites' presence among the Israelites served as a constant reminder of the importance of seeking God's guidance and the potential pitfalls of hasty decisions.

Theological Implications

The alliance between Joshua and the Gibeonites underscores several theological themes. Firstly, it highlights the necessity of seeking divine counsel in all matters, as the failure to do so can lead to unintended consequences. Secondly, it illustrates the importance of honoring one's word, even when made under false pretenses, as the Israelites upheld their oath to the Gibeonites despite the deception involved.

Furthermore, the narrative demonstrates God's sovereignty and ability to use even flawed human decisions to fulfill His purposes. The Gibeonites, though initially deceptive, became part of the broader narrative of Israel's history, contributing to the unfolding of God's plan for His people.

Historical and Cultural Context

In the ancient Near Eastern context, treaties and covenants were binding agreements that carried significant weight. The Gibeonites' actions reflect the common practice of seeking alliances for protection and survival. The Israelites' response, rooted in their understanding of covenantal obligations, aligns with the cultural and religious norms of the time, emphasizing the sacredness of oaths made before God.

The account of Joshua and the Gibeonites serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities involved in human alliances and the enduring importance of seeking God's wisdom in all endeavors.

Nave's Topical Index

Joshua 9:1
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;
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Historical Books.
... the endless details of court intrigues, of alliances and wars ... was written, the artifice
of the Gibeonites by which ... of the people, for which Joshua rebuked them ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... the strange gods; or that referred to in Joshua 24:26, under which Joshua set up ...
These chiefs were respectively free to make alliances, or to take the field on ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm