Observations and Interpretations:
(1) A. Good estimation
While all the kings formed an alliance to fight against Israel, the Gibeon thought about something else to do to deal with Israel.
3 When the residents of Gibeon heard what Joshua did to Jericho and Ai, 4 they did something clever.
clever=craftiness in here; but in a good sense, this word means prudence in Proverbs 1:4; 8:5, 12.
B. They knew the plan of their enemy, Israel pretty well
They claimed to be coming from afar v.6,9, but actually they lived in the Promised Land v.16. God only allowed peace treaties to be made with people who lived in far away countries but not to those who lived in the Promised Land so that the people would not mingle with them and worship their gods (9:24; Deut 20:15-18)
C. They knew the limit of their power
They repeatedly requested to be the servants of Israel 9:8, 11 and they ended up to be the servants v.21, 23, 27.
10: 2 All Jerusalem was terrified because Gibeon was a large city, like one of the royal cities. It was larger than Ai, and all its men were warriors.
royal city=one ruled by a king.
warriors=mighty men, heroes.
Application: Gibeon's craftiness was not something we want to follow. However, their planning, and their faith in God were something we can learn from. They had the right perspective of Who God is and who they were. They knew even the alliance with other kings could not help them to stand in front of God. They turned their fear into good planning. They did not rely on the strength of their city wall or the strength of their warriors, but they put their lives in the hands of God. Do we have the right perspectives of Who God is and who we are?
(2) Failure of Joshua and leaders
14 The men examined some of their provisions, but they failed to ask the LORD’s advice. 15 Joshua made a peace treaty with them and agreed to let them live. The leaders of the community sealed it with an oath.
(BKC) At first Joshua and his staff were hesitant and not altogether convinced. They said But perhaps you live near us. It was well for them to be on their guard for things are not always what they seem to be. Evil men often try to take advantage of the righteous....[Finally] Did Joshua think the evidence to be so beyond question that they needed no advice from Yahweh? Did he think the matter too routine or unimportant to “bother” God with it? Whatever the cause it was a mistake to trust their own judgment and make their own plans. This holds true for believers in all ages (James 4:13–15).
(NAC) The Israelites’ confirmation of the Gibeonites’ claim was purely in their own strength and on their own initiative. The mistake on Israel’s and Joshua’s part was not that they were deceived per se, but that they did not ask for the Lord’s counsel. This is certainly a warning to all who read this passage: God is there to be consulted, and we ignore him at our peril (cf. 1 Chr 28:9; 2 Chr 15:2; 18:4; 20:4; etc.).
Appliciation: Have you ever been cheated by the Deceiver, called Satan? His evidence seemed so convincing and you did not even think of asking God and made a rush decision? Or you just made decisions relying on your own strength? For example, there is a job offering in another city/country and if the offer and the new location both seem promising you decide to go. Have you asked God?
(3) God still helped Joshua and Israel when they failed to seek Him in the matter of Gibeon
When Gibeon were attacked by the 5 kings gathered to fight against them, they sent message to Joshua to rescue them.
7 So Joshua and his whole army, including the bravest warriors, marched up from Gilgal. 8 The LORD told Joshua, “Don’t be afraid of them, for I am handing them over to you. Not one of them can resist you.”
10 The LORD routed them before Israel. Israel thoroughly defeated them at Gibeon.
11...the LORD threw down on them large hailstones from the sky, all the way to Azekah. They died—in fact, more died from the hailstones than the Israelites killed with the sword.
Audrey
Comments