Joshua

Joshua 9: God’s holy name and Israel’s oath

Begin in prayer

Before we read of Israel neglecting God’s counsel and keeping its oath in His holy name, please pause for prayer. Ask Him to teach us to listen to His Word and honor His name with truthful words.

Israel saw the great work which Yahweh did to the Egyptians, and the people feared Yahweh; and they believed in Yahweh, and in his servant Moses.

Exodus 14:31

God of truth, please open our eyes as we read about Israel's oath. Teach us to listen to Your Word and honor Your name. Show us Jesus, who always speaks truth, and make us more like Him. Please bless each person in our family today. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Kings gather to fight Israel, while the Gibeonites pretend to have come from a far country. They show Israel worn sacks, old clothes and dry bread as signs of a long journey. The men sample their provisions without asking the LORD for counsel, and Joshua makes a covenant to let them live. After three days Israel hears that they are neighbors. The princes keep their oath in the LORD's name and let the Gibeonites live. Joshua makes them wood cutters and drawers of water for the congregation and the LORD's altar.

As you read Joshua 9, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD's name is holy, so Israel keeps the oath made in it, though Gibeon deceived them.

Kings across the land heard what Israel had done, and they gathered to fight Joshua (verses 1 and 2). The people of Gibeon chose a trick instead (verse 4). They put on old sacks, patched shoes and old clothes, and took dry, moldy bread (verses 4 and 5). At Gilgal they said they had come from a far country because of the fame of the LORD (verses 6 and 9). That was a lie, for they lived close by (verses 16 and 22). The men of Israel sampled their bread and did not ask counsel from the LORD (verse 14). Joshua made peace with them, and the princes swore an oath by the LORD, the God of Israel (verse 15). Three days later Israel learned the truth, but the princes would not break an oath sworn in the LORD's name (verses 16 to 20). Joshua made the Gibeonites wood cutters and water carriers for the altar, and they lived (verses 22 to 27).

How does Joshua 9 show us that the LORD's name is holy, and that Israel keeps the oath made in it, though Gibeon deceived them?

Israel does not ask counsel from God.

The Gibeonites showed worn sacks, patched shoes and dry bread as proof of a long journey (verses 4, 5 and 12). The men of Israel sampled the food (verse 14). They did not ask counsel from the mouth of the LORD (verse 14). Joshua then made peace and a covenant with them (verse 15).

The princes keep the oath made in God’s name.

Three days later Israel heard that the Gibeonites lived nearby (verse 16). The people murmured, but the princes had sworn by the LORD, the God of Israel (verses 18 and 19). They said they may not touch the Gibeonites, or wrath would come on Israel (verses 19 and 20). The oath held, though a lie had won it.

Joshua saves the Gibeonites alive and makes them servants.

Joshua asked why they had deceived Israel (verse 22). They answered that they feared for their lives (verse 24). He delivered them from Israel's hand, and made them wood cutters and water carriers for the altar (verses 26 and 27). Jesus said that He will in no way throw out anyone who comes to Him (John 6 verse 37).

Memorise

But all the princes said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by Yahweh, the God of Israel.

Joshua 9:19

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, where am I trusting appearances instead of listening to Jesus?

The men of Israel looked at the dry bread and the worn sacks, and they did not ask counsel from the LORD. The Gibeonites lied, yet the princes kept the oath they had sworn by the LORD's name. The Gibeonites came to Israel afraid for their lives, and they were not put to death. Jesus said that He will in no way throw out anyone who comes to Him (John 6 verse 37).

We also forget to ask God, and we trust what we see. Jesus never failed, for He always did what the Father wanted. He went to the cross for His people, and every debt of theirs was paid in full. God raised Him from the dead.

So please turn from your sin and come to Jesus, and ask Him for wisdom. Those who trust Him are forgiven.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD's name is holy, and that we should ask Him before we act. Parents, please explain in your own words the Gibeonites' trick in verses 4 to 13. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His name is worthy of honor, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so allow each one to join in freely.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you.

Psalm 32:8

God of truth, thank You that Your name deserves honor. Forgive our careless words, and help each of us turn from deceit and trust Jesus. Please teach us to seek Your counsel in Scripture. May our words at home be truthful, and may we honor the promises we make. Amen.