Joshua 9:16-27

Joshua 9:16-27

"Let them live," they declared to the assembly. And so, as the leaders had promised, the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community.

Joshua and the leaders of Israel made a treaty with the Gibeonites without first seeking God's counsel. Despite having many elders present, they all followed Joshua in making this agreement - without consulting the Lord (v.14-15). God had explicitly commanded Moses and the Israelites not to make treaties with any people in Canaan but to destroy them completely (Deut. 7:2). Surely Joshua and the Israelites knew this? These were people well-versed in God's law, commanded to meditate on it day and night and not turn from it to the right or left.

So why did Joshua and the leaders make this treaty without consulting God?

Before announcing the treaty to the people, Joshua and the leaders sampled the Gibeonites' provisions (v.14). As the chapter mentions twice, the Gibeonites were assigned to become woodcutters and water carriers for the community and the sanctuary of the Lord (v.21, 27).

After wandering in the wilderness surviving on manna and quail, the Israelites finally had access to food grown from the land. Can you imagine how much they must have longed for this moment? How exciting it must have been to finally taste the produce of Canaan!

Perhaps when faced with something they had desperately wanted for so long, Joshua and the leaders forgot to seek God's guidance? Don't we sometimes do the same - forget what's truly important when immediate benefits are dangling before our eyes? Whether it's money, self-esteem, conscience, position, or purpose - we humans can be so fragile.

While the Gibeonites preserved their lives, they became servants (though from our perspective, while their fate seems harsh, it meant survival). They were assigned to gather water and cut wood. In heavily forested areas with abundant water sources, these tasks might not have been too demanding. But in areas with scarce trees and limited water? How challenging would these tasks have been? It brings to mind Isaac, who was driven away from wells, or Ruth and Abraham's servants. I think of shepherds in steppes and deserts gathering animal dung for fuel due to scarce firewood. These difficult, exhausting tasks were now the Gibeonites' responsibility, while the Israelites were freed from these burdens.

Why did Joshua and the elders make this treaty? They knew God's command not to make agreements with any Canaanites - so why did they do it?

Perhaps it was the allure of personal gain - obtaining provisions and escaping hard labor. Did they momentarily turn a blind eye when faced with potential benefits?

Prayer: Creator and Sovereign God, even when my life feels impoverished and weary, help me to seek Your will. When opportunities arise that offer personal benefit or comfort, grant me the wisdom and conscience to deeply consider: Is this what You desire, Lord? Does this please You? Does this align with a clear conscience? Grant me the Holy Spirit's strength and courage. Amen.