Josué 9
Warren Wiersbe · Citado em PreceptAustin
Josué 9
Wiersbe - The heathen tribes of Canaan were divided into many little “nations” (city-states) with key cities as their centers. They usually fought each other, but when God’s people arrived, these petty kings united to oppose Israel. It is amazing how enemies unite against God! (Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the Old Testament ) Hubbard - In self-defense, the kings join forces to battle Joshua, their leadership counterpart, and Israel (v. 2). Theologically, their war plans reveal a fateful decision—the rejection of Yahweh—and sharply contrast the alternative, conciliatory approach soon to appear. In Josh 5:1 the kings are terrified of Israel, but Josh 9:1–2 mentions no fear factor, as if these monarchs are no longer cowed by them. Perhaps, as Hess suggests, Israel’s defeat at Ai I has encouraged the Canaanite kings that Israel can be beat in battle.(Joshua NIV Application Commentary) Stephen Grant makes an excellent observation and application - The clearest illustration of this took place when the strange confederate of Sadducees, Pharisees, Herodians and Romans united to crucify the Lord Jesus. This unity, among previously opposing groups, was prophesied by the Psalmist (Ps 2:1–2), and referred to in prayer by the early Christians: “For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together” (Acts 4:27). United opposition to the Lord and His people will continue until the final chapter in the world’s history, when Satan gathers the nations together against Israel (Rev 20:8–9). Unity among the ungodly exists when they have a common enemy to oppose. Unity among saints should be different since it has its source from within. The apostle Paul describes it as the “unity of the Spirit” since “There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all” (Eph 4:4–6). (What the Bible Teaches - Joshua Judges Ruth)
Josué 9
Wiersbe - After an experience of great blessing, God’s people must be especially prepared to confront the enemy; for like Canaan, the Christian life is “a land of hills and valleys” (Deut. 11:11). But Israel’s greatest danger wasn’t the confederation of the armies of Canaan. It was a group of men from Gibeon who were about to enter the camp and deceive Joshua and the princes of Israel. Satan sometimes comes as a devouring lion (1 Peter 5:8) and sometimes as a deceiving serpent (2 Cor. 11:3), and we must be alert and protected by the spiritual armor God has provided for us (Eph. 6:10–18).(Be Strong - Joshua: Putting God's Power to Work in Your Life) Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary - Verses 3-13. Other people heard these tidings, and were driven thereby to make war upon Israel; but the Gibeonites were led to make peace with them. Thus the discovery of the glory and the grace of God in the gospel, is to some a savour of life unto life, but to others a savour of death unto death, 2 Corinthians 2:16. The same sun softens wax and hardens clay. The falsehood of the Gibeonites cannot be justified. We must not do evil that good may themselves to the God of Israel, we have reason to think Joshua would have been directed by the oracle of God to spare their lives. But when they had once said, "We are come from a far country," they were led to say it made of skins, and their clothes: one lie brings on another, and that a third, and so on. The way of that sin is especially down-hill. Yet their faith and prudence are to be commended. In submitting to Israel they submitted to the God of Israel, which implied forsaking their idolatries. And how can we do better than cast ourselves upon the mercy of a God of all goodness? The way to avoid judgment is to meet it by repentance. Let us do like these Gibeonites, seek peace with God in the rags of abasement, and godly sorrow; so our sin shall not be our ruin. Let us be servants to Jesus, our blessed Joshua, and we shall live. Bob Marcaurelle - A young Navy pilot was part of a squadron engaged in maneuvers. The admiral in charge put them under orders for absolute radio silence. The young pilot forgot, pressed his button, cleared his throat to say something, remembered the order and was heard muttering, “Oh, no! Man, am I stupid!” Not knowing which pilot did it, the irate admiral grabbed his mike, ordered all channels opened and growled fiercely, “Will the idiot who broke radio silence identify himself immediately!” There was a time of silence. A radio clicked on and a small voice was heard on the airways, “I may be stupid but I AM NOT THAT STUPID.” And all was silence again. That fellow knew what to do with a mistake. We are all going to make mistakes. That’s why they put erasers on pencils. Someone said, “The person who brags about never making mistakes married someone who did.” Architects cover their mistakes with ivy, dentists pull theirs out, lawyers’ are put in prison, doctors’ in the ground, electricians’ are shocking, and brides cover theirs with mayonnaise. Mistakes are going to be made by anyone who tackles any worth-while task, and success in life and in Christianity depends on what we do with them. We must be big enough to admit our mistakes, smart enough to learn from them and strong enough to correct them. The main difference between a wise man and a fool is that a fool’s mistakes don’t teach him anything. In 1849 the famous English preacher, F. W. Robertson, said, “Life, like war, is a series of mistakes and he is not the best Christian nor the best general who makes the fewest mistakes … he is the best who wins the most splendid victories by the retrieval of mistakes.” (Frederick W. Robertson, SERMONS PREACHED AT BRIGHTON, FIRST SERIES (London: Kegan, Paul, Trench, Trubner and Co., 1898, p. 66). Make mistakes? Yes! But make the most out of them. And that’s exactly what we see in Joshua 9–10, the campaign which conquered the South of Canaan. QUESTION - Who were the Gibeonites? (See also Wikipedia article - Gibeonites) ANSWER - The Gibeonites were a group of people, descended from the Amorites (2 Samuel 21:2). They are described in Joshua 9 as people who deceived the Israelites in order to protect themselves. After the Israelites had defeated the cities of Jericho (Joshua 6—7) and Ai (Joshua 8), many of the nearby Canaanites united to form a large army to fight Israel (Joshua 9:1–2). The Gibeonites, however, took a different approach: “They resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the Israelites, ‘We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us’” (Joshua 9:4–6). The Israelites did not consult with God before agreeing to the treaty and fell for the Gibeonites’ scheme. The Israelites soon discovered they had been tricked and discussed how to respond. The leaders of Israel decided, “‘We have given them our oath by the Lord, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that God’s wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them.’ They continued, ‘Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers in the service of the whole assembly.’ So the leaders’ promise to them was kept” (Joshua 9:19–21). The end of this account notes, “That day [Joshua] made the Gibeonites woodcutters and water carriers for the assembly, to provide for the needs of the altar of the Lord at the place the Lord would choose. And that is what they are to this day.” (Joshua 9:27). In other words, the Gibeonites survived, yet they served as slaves to the Israelites for generations to come. The land of Gibeon would later be allotted to the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 21:17). King Saul later broke the treaty that Joshua had signed and attacked the Gibeonites. Later still, during the time of King David, a famine occurred in Israel. When David asked the Lord about the famine, God said, “It is on account of Saul and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death” (2 Samuel 21:1). To appease the Gibeonites and put an end to the famine, seven descendants of Saul were given to them to be put to death (2 Samuel 21:6). God healed Israel’s land after that (2 Samuel 21:14). Though the Gibeonites were enemies of the Israelites, they teach us some important lessons today. The Gibeonites’ deception was effective because Joshua and his people did not first consult God for wisdom. Thus, Joshua 9 reveals the need for believers in Christ to pray concerning all major decisions and to seek His will before moving forward. Also, the fact that the Lord held the Israelites to their covenant with the Gibeonites shows that God requires faithfulness of His people. Breaking a covenant is a serious thing. Finally, the eventual incorporation of the Gibeonites into Israel shows the mercy and grace of God to all people.GotQuestions.org George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 9 3. The inhabitants of Gibeon. Gibeon was a city of the Hivites, probably its capital. In the division of the land it fell to the tribe of Benjamin, and was situated on a hill about six miles north of Jerusalem. At the present time, a small village called Geeb, occupies the site of the ancient city. The inhabitants of this place declined entering into the alliance offensive and defensive above mentioned. This might have been owing to their form of government, which left more scope for the good sense of the people. Had they had a king, of which we nowhere read, he would probably have been induced, in the pride of his heart, to join the confederacy; but this city, with the three others mentioned v. 17, seem to have been governed by elders or senators, v. 11, who consulted the common safety more than their own personal dignity. In this case of the Gibeonites, we may see a striking instance of the different effects produced by the same tidings upon different minds. The news of the victorious progress of Israel excites the several kings to resistance, but moves the Gibeonites to think of making peace with their invaders. In the same manner the Gospel message is a savor of life to some, and of death to others. Some it irritates and provokes to deadly and self-destructive opposition, others it softens, melts, persuades to surrender, and brings to saving repentance. In such a difference Divine sovereignty must be acknowledged, though the obstinately impenitent are left without excuse. James Smith - THE ANXIOUS GIBEONITES Joshua 9 Two sins were committed in connection with the Gibeonites. 1. Joshua judged according to his own wisdom instead of asking of God (v. 14, margin), and so made a league with them, contrary to the command of God. Let us beware of being flattered into disobedience. 2. The Gibeonites came with a false pretext. They did evil that good may come. Had they been humble and honest like Rahab they might have been saved all the same. Rahab was greatly exalted (Matt. 1:5). They were greatly humbled (v. 23). But laying aside the faults let us look at some of the facts in their life as illustrating the way of grace and salvation. We see them— I. Greatly Alarmed (vv. 9, 10). And no wonder, when they believed that they were all under the condemnation of God, and that the sentence of death was passed upon them (Rom. 3:23). They were sore afraid (v. 24), just because they believed. The devil believes and trembles. The false peace of the sinner is founded on the sands of “I don’t believe it.” It is impossible for a man to believe God’s Word and remain unaffected thereby. Oh, that many had this deep sense of their own state before God! What concern, anxiety, sleeplessness, and sorrow it would create! Visit Gibeon, converse with the citizens, price their articles. What a change has come over the whole city, just such a change as comes into the heart when the conscience is truly convicted of sin. II. Pleading for Salvation. “Make ye a league with us” (v. 6). We have not to do just now with the way they came, but with the object of their coming. They wanted saving grace. They were convinced that on this lay their only hope. Resistance was useless. When sinners are awakened they deeply feel that mercy is their chiefest need. Self-justification is out of the question. Their only refuge is in the grace of God (Eph. 2:8). They said, “Make a league with us.” They wanted the promise of Joshua as a guarantee of safety. This is what our Joshua gives to all that come to Him, so that they are assured of salvation, and can rest, like the Gibeonites, on the word of Him who will not lie. Go not away without the promise. What the Gibeonites feigned we can say in truth. “We be come from a far country” (v. 6), like the prodigal in Luke’s Gospel. III. Graciously Reconciled. “Joshua made peace, and made a league with them to let them live” (v. 15). He might in justice have condemned them. He had the power and authority for it, but he let them live. It was purely a permission of grace; moreover, there was added to the peace the oath of confirmation, which is the end of strife (Heb. 6:16). Three things stand out in connection with this reconciliation: (1) The Acceptance, (2) The Covenant, (3) The Oath. The sinner in coming to Jesus is accepted through mercy. Then he enters into the covenant (or league) of grace, and then the seal of the promise of God makes the engagement eternally secure (Eph. 1:13). IV. Wholly Consecrated. They said, “We are in thy hand, as it seemeth good and right unto thee to do unto us, do” (v. 25). The effect of grace is not to make them proud and defiant. How beautiful when the soul, melted down by the mercy and love of God, yields so sweetly to its great Deliverer! This is the language of consecration: Thou hast saved us, we are Thine, just do Thy will in us and with us. We owe our life to Thee, it is Thine own, Thy will be done. This is the pure effect of the grace of God when truly enjoyed. If His love has not constrained you to yield all to Him it must be little of the love that you enjoy. V. Actively Engaged. “Joshua made them hewers of wood and drawers of water” (v. 27). We must not only be humble and submissive, but willing and active. It is very humbling work they get to do. Some are willing, like Naaman, to do some great thing, but it is in doing the little things that our true character is seen. If we profess to be very humble God is sure to try us with some lowly service. But the true heart finds nothing too mean that is His will. An angel would sweep a street as heartily as proclaim “Time to be no more,” if sent. We have been saved to serve (Luke 1:74). Hewers of wood for the altar and drawers of water for the laver are still in great demand. VI. Bitterly Despised. “Come and help me to smite Gibeon, for it hath made peace with Joshua” (Jos. 10:4). They were hated because of their peaceful connection with Joshua. They were despised for His sake (John 15:19). Those who have made peace with Jesus fare no better now. The world still hates the Christ of God as much as ever, but He shall gain the victory. Some are ashamed to confess their league with Jesus lest they should be despised by men. The Gibeonites did not seek to hide it, they rejoiced in it. What cowards, to be ashamed of being at peace with God! VII. Mightily Protected. In the day of trouble and threatening danger they send unto Joshua, saying, “Come up quickly, and save us, and help us” (chap. 10:6). What a friend they have in Joshua! He is able to save them to the uttermost. Their saviour becomes their protector. Is our Saviour less to us? The sun and moon stood still upon Gibeon, that the victory might be complete. What honour is now put upon the trusting Gibeonites! They call on Joshua, and he conquers for them. They looked unto him and were lightened. He put their enemies under his feet (v. 24). The Church of God, like Gibeon, seems about to be crushed with surrounding enemies, but He who is the Saviour King shall suddenly come (v. 9). Is your soul like this city, ready to perish? Let your cry be to the all-conquering Jesus. These Gibeonites who had taken the place of strangers now claim the privileges of servants. Their petition is, “Slack not thy hand from thy servants; come up to us quickly, and save us, and help us.” Their prayer was speedily answered. “And shall not God avenge His own elect? I tell you that He will avenge them speedily” (Luke 18:7, 8; 2 Chron. 16:9). Joshua 9:4 they also acted craftily and set out as envoys, and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins worn-out and torn and mended, they also acted craftily: Ge 34:13 1Ki 20:31-33 Mt 10:16 Lu 16:8 wineskins These bottles being made of skin, were consequently liable to be rent, and capable of being mended; which is done, according to Chardin, by putting in a piece, or by gathering up the wounded piece in the manner of a purse; and sometimes by inserting a flat piece of wood. Ps 119:83 Mt 9:17 Mk 2:22 Lu 5:37,38 Joshua 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: Dt 20:10-12+ (DID THE GIBEONITES SOMEHOW KNOW THIS TRUTH?) When you approach a city to fight against it, you shall offer it terms of peace. 11 “If it agrees to make peace with you and opens to you, then all the people who are found in it shall become your forced labor and shall serve you. 12 “However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it. THE GREAT PRETENDERS One of my favorite secular songs from 1955 was The Great Pretender, which could have been the theme song of the Gibeonites. They also acted craftily (ormah; Lxx = panourgia) and set out as envoys- NLT = "They sent ambassadors to Joshua" "The Gibeonites, ingeniously, provide us with what might be termed an “Oscar winning performance” in deceiving the elders of Israel." (Davis) Hubbard - In v. 4, Heb. gam hemmah (lit., “they, too”; NRSV “for their part” NAS - "they also") also underscores this contrast (WITH THE KINGS), as if to say, “The Gibeonites responded, but along different lines.” Their account describes their leaders as “our elders and all those living in our country” (v. 11). According to Hess (Joshua, 179–80), the rule by elders may point to the group’s origin in Anatolia where, unlike among Canaanites, nonroyal government was typical of the Hittites. The Philistines, who probably came to Canaan from Mycenean Greece, had a five-city federation ruled by “lords” (seranim [a non-Hebrew word]); cf. Josh. 13:3; Judg. 3:3; 1 Sam. 6:16–18. ...Notice the amusing irony: Israel, whose trick victimizes unsuspecting Ai (ch. 8), themselves soon fall victim to one.(Joshua NIV Application Commentary) Matthews on craftily (ormah; Lxx = panourgia) - The related ‘arum, “crafty,” describes the serpent’s scheme (Gen. 3:1). Coupled with “curse” (Josh 9:23; cf. Ge 3:14), this word describing the Gibeonite deception recalls the serpent’s deceit of Eve. (Joshua Teach the Text Commentary) Wiersbe - What Jericho could not do with walls, or Ai with weapons, the Gibeonites accomplished with deceit. Satan tries one device after another to defeat God’s people, and we must constantly be on guard. Note that it is usually after a great victory that Satan begins his subtle attacks. It was after the victory at Jericho that Israel was defeated by Ai, and it was after Israel’s defeat of Ai that Joshua was deceived by Gibeon. We must beware of “judging after the flesh” (John 8:15) and depending on our own wisdom (Prov. 3:5–6). James 1:5 promises that God will give us wisdom if we ask for it. Christians must beware of worldly alliances (2 Cor. 6:14–18). (WEOOT) Alan Carr applies this deception - What a picture of our enemy, the devil (ED: SEE WORD STUDY ON ormah BELOW)! The Bible tells us in Eph. 6:11 that we fight an enemy that uses “wiles” to get his way in our lives. The word “wiles” refers to “deceit, trickery, cunning arts.” You see friends, Satan would like nothing better than to trip you up and cause you to fall into one of his traps. And took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins worn-out and torn and mended - Note the key word "worn-out" so that they could dupe the prayerless Israelites. These are all items typically used on a long journey adding to the deceptive element! Note that the Gibeonites leave no stone unturned -- they even stitch up the wineskins to emphasize the woeful picture to Israel! THOUGHT - Be careful in judging by appearances. Israel was taken in by their Oscar winning costumes before they even uttered a word. "Appearances can be deceptive and must not be the sole basis of any judgment formed by the people of God. The New Testament has many warnings about the danger of false teachers who gain entrance among gullible Christians, who accept people at face value (cf 2Co 11:13-15).....Care must be taken when people, who are unknown to the saints, approach the assembly and seek fellowship. Reception into the fellowship of an assembly based on outward appearance can lead to havoc, with unbelievers or those with strange doctrines being received among the saints (cf 1Jn 4:1)." (Grant) Rod Mattoon - The Gibeonites lied about their ambassadorship, aliments (food). It was moldy and dry, apparel—old, torn garments, and shoes and area of residence—They said they were from a far country. It was 25 miles from Gilgal. They knew they couldn’t defeat them so they set out to deceive Israel into a treaty with them. They got Joshua to walk by sight and human reasoning. The Gibeonites seem to be the only people in Canaan who had a republic governed by elders who represented the people instead of having a sovereign ruler. Their decision came from the input of many people. Evidently, they knew God’s law too (ED: CERTAINLY THIS IS POSSIBLE). They knew Israel was to drive out the inhabitants of the land (Exodus 23:31–33). If they would be servants or tributaries of Israel, then a peace agreement could be reached. (Treasures From Joshua )
Josué 9
Wiersbe applies this passage to our lives as believers - Satan sometimes comes as a devouring lion (1 Peter 5:8) and sometimes as a deceiving serpent (2 Cor. 11:3), and we must be alert and protected by the spiritual armor God has provided for us (Eph. 6:10–18).Satan is a counterfeiter and “masquerades as an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14, NIV). He has his “false apostles” and “deceitful workmen” (v. 13, NIV) at work in this world, blinding the lost and seeking to lead believers astray. It’s much easier for us to identify the lion when he’s roaring than to detect the serpent when he’s slithering into our lives. Satan is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44), and human nature is such that many people find it easier to tell lies than the truth. With tongue in cheek, the American political leader Adlai Stevenson said, “A lie is an abomination unto the Lord—and a very present help in trouble.” The Gibeonites told several lies in their attempt to get out of trouble.(Be Strong - Joshua: Putting God's Power to Work in Your Life) George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 9 5. Old shoes and clouted. This latter epithet, in the time of Shakespeare, when applied to shoes, meant such as had nails driven into the soles to strengthen them. (Cymb., Act IV., Sc 2.) In this sense it may be derived from the French word clou, a nail. But this does not seem to correspond well with the original, which is a derivative from a root signifying to spot, to patch, to spot with patches. For this reason it is supposed by Adam Clarke, with much plausibility, to come from the old Saxon clut, a clout, a rag, or small piece of cloth, used for piecing or patching. This makes our present version to express very precisely the spirit of the original. As their shoes or sandals were made of skins in those early ages, it means that those they now wore were in a miserable tattered condition, having been often patched, pieced, or mended. The bread of their provision was dry and moldy. Heb. נקדים nikkūdim, pricked, i. e. spotted, speckled; bread marked with spots of mould, to which the original term is here applied. ‘The bread commonly used in the East is calculated to last only for the day on which it is baked; in a day or two more it becomes exceedingly hard and unfit for use. This common bread could not therefore be that usually employed for daily food, for then its dry condition would not serve as an indication of the length of the journey they had taken. It must rather have been a sort of bread which will keep a considerable time, though it does ultimately become hard and mouldy. They have such bread in the East, the use of which is almost exclusively confined to travellers. It is a kind of biscuit, usually made in the shape of large rings, nearly an inch thick, and four or five inches in diameter. The bread is, when new, very firm, and rather crisp when broken; but, not being so well prepared as our biscuits, it becomes gradually harder, and at last mouldy from the moisture which the baking had left in it. In general it is seldom used till previously soaked in water. The bread of the Gibeonites may have been something of this sort. There is another kind of bread, which will keep as well, or better. This is the thin broad sheet of crisp wafer-bread, as thin as wrapping-paper, the preparation of which has been described in the note to Lev. 2:4. But this is seldom used for a journey, being speedily reduced to powder by the action in travelling.’ Pict. Bib. Joshua 9:6 They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, "We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us." the camp: Jos 5:10 10:43 We: Jos 9:9 De 20:11-15 1Ki 8:41 2Ki 20:14 make a covenant : "cut or divide with us a covenant," or rather the covenant sacrifice offered on these occasions. De 29:12 Joshua 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries LIAR, LIAR WORN OUT PANTS ON FIRE! They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, "We have come from a far country; now therefore, make (karath) a covenant (berit/berith/beriyth) with us - This section could be subtitled "Trick and Treaty!" (Hubbard) Not only did they lie by their appearance but with their lips! The very far country in truth is only about 25 miles away from Israel's military base at Gilgal! While it is unlikely they knew the Law of Moses, their ruse of claiming to be from a far country was actually covered in the "fine print" of the regulations in Deuteronomy (see especially verse 11 and 15)... 10 “When you approach a city to fight against it, you shall offer it terms of peace. 11 “If it agrees to make peace with you and opens to you, then all the people who are found in it shall become your forced labor and shall serve you. 12 “However, if it does not make peace with you, but makes war against you, then you shall besiege it. 13 “When the LORD your God gives it into your hand, you shall strike all the men in it with the edge of the sword. 14 “Only the women and the children and the animals and all that is in the city, all its spoil, you shall take as booty for yourself; and you shall use the spoil of your enemies which the LORD your God has given you. 15 “Thus you shall do to all the cities that are very far from you, which are not of the cities of these nations nearby. (CLEARLY THESE THIS DID NOT APPLY TO ANY CITY IN THE PROMISED LAND) Dt 20:10-15+)
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Wiersbe quips "The leaders of Israel took the “scientific approach” instead of the “spiritual approach.” They depended on their own senses, examined the “facts,” discussed the matter, and agreed in their conclusion. It was all very logical and convincing, but it was all wrong. They had made the same mistake at Ai (chap. 7) and hadn’t yet learned to wait on the Lord and seek His direction....Like Joshua and the nation of Israel, God’s people today are living in enemy territory and must constantly exercise caution. When you believe the enemy instead of seeking the mind of the Lord, you can expect to get into trouble." (Be Strong - Joshua: Putting God's Power to Work in Your Life)
Josué 9
Wiersbe - .Joshua and his associates teach us an important lesson: If you make a mistake, admit it; and then make your mistake work for you! The leaders put the Gibeonites to work hauling water and fuel for the service of the tabernacle, where both water and wood were used in abundance. In later years the Gibeonites were called the Nethinim (“given ones” = given to assist the priests) and labored as servants in the temple (1 Chron. 9:2; Ezra 2:43, 58; Neh. 3:26). In Joshua 10, we shall see that God overruled Joshua’s mistake and used it to give him a signal victory over five kings at one time....There’s no evidence in Scripture that the descendants of the Gibeonites created any problems for the Jews. It’s likely that their service in the tabernacle, and later in the temple, influenced them to abandon their idols and worship the God of Israel. The fact that over 500 hundred Nephilim returned to Jerusalem after the Babylonian Captivity (Ezra 2:43–58; 8:20) suggests that they were devoted to the Lord and His house. (Be Strong - Joshua: Putting God's Power to Work in Your Life) George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 9 16. That they dwelt among them. Heb. בקרבו bekirbo, dwelt in his midst, collect. sing., the very thing which Joshua feared, and of which he hinted his suspicion. v. 7. ‘They that suffer themselves to be deceived by the wiles of Satan, will soon be undeceived to their confusion, and will find that to be near, even at the door, which they imagined was very far off.’ Henry. Joshua 9:17 Then the sons of Israel set out and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon and Chephirah and Beeroth and Kiriath-jearim. Gibeon: Jos 10:2 18:25-28 1Ch 21:29 2Ch 1:3 Ezr 2:25 Ne 7:29 Kirjath-jearim: Jos 15:9,60 18:14 1Sa 7:1 1Ch 13:5,6 2Ch 1:4 Joshua 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE GIBEONITE CONFEDERATION Then the sons of Israel set out and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon and Chephirah and Beeroth and Kiriath-jearim (Baalah in Josh 15:9) - This sounds like the sons of Israel had thoughts of taking vengeance on the Gibeonites and the cities they were confederated with. Presumably all four cities were under the protection of the peace treaty the Gibeonites had cut with Israel. Notice again there is never a mention of a king over Gibeon or the confederacy. This was part of the inheritance given to the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 18:25–26). George Bush - Notes Critical and Practical on the Book of Joshua - Chapter 9 17. And the children of Israel journeyed and came unto their cities, &c. This might better be rendered, ‘For when the children of Israel journeyed, they came unto their cities.’ According to the present translation they learnt the fraud practised upon them some days before they arrived at their cities. The contrary supposition seems the most probable, and we presume the 17th verse is intended to inform us how they became possessed of the information mentioned in the 16th. Joshua 9:18 The sons of Israel did not strike them because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders. sworn: 2Sa 21:7 Ps 15:4 Ec 5:2,6 9:2 Joshua 9 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ISRAEL HAD SWORN NOT TO STRIKE THEM The sons of Israel did not strike them because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD the God of Israel - The leaders who had entered the covenant had to honor their oaths and therefore could not harm the Canaanites in the covenant. Note also that Israel’s leaders failing to consult the Lord produced discord in the congregation. THOUGHT - Dear pastors, elders, church leaders, may the Spirit spur you on to pray, pray, pray! Name the LORD the God of Israel occurs 66x in 66v - Exod. 5:1; Exod. 32:27; Jos. 7:13; Jos. 7:19; Jos. 7:20; Jos. 8:30; Jos. 9:18; Jos. 9:19; Jos. 10:40; Jos. 10:42; Jos. 13:14; Jos. 13:33; Jos. 22:24; Jos. 24:2; Jos. 24:23; Jdg. 4:6; Jdg. 5:3; Jdg. 5:5; Jdg. 6:8; Jdg. 11:21; Jdg. 11:23; Ruth 2:12; 1 Sam. 10:18; 1 Sam. 14:41; 1 Sam. 20:12; 1 Ki. 1:30; 1 Ki. 1:48; 1 Ki. 8:15; 1 Ki. 8:17; 1 Ki. 8:20; 1 Ki. 8:23; 1 Ki. 8:25; 1 Ki. 11:9; 1 Ki. 11:31; 1 Ki. 17:1; 2 Ki. 9:6; 2 Ki. 10:31; 2 Ki. 14:25; 2 Ki. 18:5; 2 Ki. 19:15; 2 Ki. 19:20; 2 Ki. 21:12; 1 Chr. 16:36; 1 Chr. 28:4; 2 Chr. 2:12; 2 Chr. 6:4; 2 Chr. 6:7; 2 Chr. 6:10; 2 Chr. 6:14; 2 Chr. 6:16; 2 Chr. 6:17; 2 Chr. 34:23; Ezr. 1:3; Ps. 41:13; Ps. 106:48; Isa. 17:6; Isa. 24:15; Isa. 37:21; Isa. 45:3; Jer. 11:3; Jer. 13:12; Jer. 25:15; Jer. 30:2; Jer. 42:9; Jer. 45:2; Mal. 2:16 And the whole congregation grumbled (lun) against the leaders - The people of Israel did the "deja vu" two step, taking the approach to the leaders that their ancestors had so frequently done with Moses in the wilderness (e.g., Ex 15:24). In fairness to them, in this case they did have some justification, because their leaders had failed to seek the counsel of God. The Hebrew word for grumbled (lun) is translated in Greek by the verb diagogguzo (dia = intensifies meaning of gogguzo = grumble), an onomatopoeic word that means to express dissatisfaction complain, grumble (aloud), mutter. Grumble in English dictionaries - a loud low dull continuous noise, a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone, to make a low, growling or rumbling noise, like a hungry stomach or certain animals, to make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath, to utter or emit low dull rumbling sounds, to utter (complaints) in a nagging or discontented way, to complain about something in a bad-tempered way. Below is a brief review of some of the highlights (better "lowlights") of Israel's desert grumblings (cf Paul's strong warning in 1 Cor 10:10,11, 6+)... Exodus 15:24+ So the people grumbled at Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” Exodus 16:2+ The whole congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness. Numbers 14:2+ All the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron; and the whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness! Numbers 16:11+ “Therefore you and all your company are gathered together against the LORD; but as for Aaron, who is he that you grumble against him?”