The Gibeonites' Deception

After Israel’s victories, many kings in the land joined together to fight Joshua and Israel. But the people of Gibeon chose a different plan. They decided to trick Israel. They packed worn-out sacks, torn wineskins, patched sandals, old clothes, and dry, mouldy bread. Then they went to Joshua at Gilgal and acted like messengers from a distant country.

The men of Israel wondered if these visitors might actually live nearby. Joshua asked who they were and where they came from. The Gibeonites answered as if they had travelled a great distance. They spoke about the fame of the Lord and what he had done in Egypt and to Sihon and Og. They pointed to their dry bread, torn wineskins, and worn clothes as proof.

The men of Israel sampled their provisions, but they did not ask the Lord for guidance. So Joshua made peace with them and agreed to let them live. The leaders of the congregation also swore an oath to them. Three days later, Israel learned the truth. These people were not from far away at all. They were their neighbours, from Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim.

Israel came to the Gibeonite cities but did not attack them, because the leaders had sworn by the Lord, the God of Israel. The congregation complained against the leaders. But the leaders said they could not break the oath. So the Gibeonites were allowed to live, and they became woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation.

Joshua asked the Gibeonites why they had deceived Israel. They answered that they had heard what the Lord had commanded through Moses and were afraid for their lives. Joshua spared them from being killed, but he said they would remain under a curse of service. From that day, they became woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the Lord’s altar, in the place he would choose. What might this story teach us about truthfulness and seeking God’s counsel?