The Life of a Gibeonite

1. The Life of a Gibeonite Joshua 9

2. Joshua 9 Now all the kings west of the Jordan heard about what had happened. (These were the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, who lived in the hill country, in the western foothills, and along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea as far north as the Lebanon mountains.) These kings quickly combined their armies to fight against Joshua and the Israelites.

3. Joshua 9 But when the people of Gibeon heard what had happened to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to deception to save themselves. They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with weathered saddlebags and old patched wineskins. They put on ragged clothes and worn-out, patched sandals. And they took along dry, moldy bread for provisions. When they arrived at the camp of Israel at Gilgal, they told Joshua and the men of Israel, "We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us.“ The Israelites replied to these Hivites, “How do we know you don't live nearby? For if you do, we cannot make a treaty with you.” They replied, "We will be your servants.“ "But who are you?" Joshua demanded. "Where do you come from?“

4. Joshua 9 They answered, "We are from a very distant country. We have heard of the might of the LORD your God and of all he did in Egypt. We have also heard what he did to the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River—King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan (who lived in Ashtaroth). So our leaders and our people instructed us, `Prepare for a long journey. Go meet with the people of Israel and declare our people to be their servants, and ask for peace.' This bread was hot from the ovens when we left. But now, as you can see, it is dry and moldy. These wineskins were new when we filled them, but now they are old and cracked. And our clothing and sandals are worn out from our long, hard trip.” So the Israelite leaders examined their bread, but they did not consult the LORD. Then Joshua went ahead and signed a peace treaty with them, and the leaders of Israel ratified their agreement with a binding oath.

5. Joshua 9 Three days later, the facts came out—these people of Gibeon lived nearby! The Israelites set out at once to investigate and reached their towns in three days. The names of these towns were Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. But the Israelites did not attack the towns, for their leaders had made a vow to the LORD, the God of Israel. The people of Israel grumbled against their leaders because of the treaty. But the leaders replied, "We have sworn an oath in the presence of the LORD, the God of Israel. We cannot touch them. We must let them live, for God would be angry with us if we broke our oath. Let them live. But we will make them chop the wood and carry the water for the entire community.“ So the Israelites kept their promise to the Gibeonites. But Joshua called together the Gibeonite leaders and said, "Why did you lie to us? Why did you say that you live in a distant land when you live right here among us? May you be cursed! From now on you will chop wood and carry water for the house of my God."

6. Joshua 9         They replied, "We did it because we were told that the LORD your God instructed his servant Moses to conquer this entire land and destroy all the people living in it. So we feared for our lives because of you. That is why we have done it. Now we are at your mercy—do whatever you think is right."      Joshua did not allow the people of Israel to kill them. But that day he made the Gibeonites the woodchoppers and water carriers for the people of Israel and for the altar of the LORD—wherever the LORD would choose to build it. That arrangement continues to this day.

7. Rahab! The Life of a Gibeonite • A very cool interest in God. We have heard of the might of the LORD your God and of all he did… Joshua 9:9 we were told that the LORD your God instructed his servant Moses to conquer this entire land… Josh.9:24

8. The Life of a Gibeonite • A very cool interest in God. • Compare that to the other “Ites” Now all the kings west of the Jordan heard about what had happened… These kings quickly combined their armies to fight against Joshua and the Israelites. 9:1

9. The Life of a Gibeonite "Then the rich man said, `Please, Father Abraham, send him to my father's home. For I have five brothers, and I want him to warn them about this place of torment so they won't have to come here when they die.' "But Abraham said, `Moses and the prophets have warned them. Your brothers can read their writings anytime they want to.' "The rich man replied, `No, Father Abraham! But if someone is sent to them from the dead, then they will turn from their sins.' Luke 16:10ff Jesus said, "There was a certain rich man who was splendidly clothed and who lived each day in luxury. At his door lay a diseased beggar named Lazarus. As Lazarus lay there longing for scraps from the rich man's table, the dogs would come and lick his open sores. Finally, the beggar died and was carried by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried, and his soul went to the place of the dead. There, in torment, he saw Lazarus in the far distance with Abraham. • A very cool interest in God. • Compare that to the other “Ites” "But Abraham said, `If they won't listen to Moses and the prophets, they won't listen even if someone rises from the dead.' we were told that the LORD your God instructed his servant Moses to conquer this entire land… Josh.9:24

10. The Life of a Gibeonite • A very cool interest in God. • Didn’t approach God “the right way” But when the people of Gibeon heard what had happened to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to deception to save themselves.

11. The Life of a Gibeonite • A very cool interest in God. • Didn’t approach God “the right way” • Yet God honored them! But that day he made the Gibeonites the woodchoppers and water carriers for the people of Israel and for the altar of the LORD—wherever the LORD would choose to build it. That arrangement continues to this day

12. The Life of a Gibeonite For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. 2 Chron.16:9 • A very cool interest in God. • Didn’t approach God “the right way” • Yet God honored them! • And God protected them! • And counted them as His people!(Nehemiah 7:5) The Magi “And I say to you, ask, and it shall be given to you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you. "For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it shall be opened. Luke 11:9,10 Lk.11:9,10 Now suppose one of you fathers is asked by his son for a fish; he will not give him a snake instead of a fish, will he? 12 "Or if he is asked for an egg, he will not give him a scorpion, will he? 13 "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him?"

13. PS: The Israelite’s Problem “The Israelite leaders examined their bread, but they did not consult the LORD.”

14. PS: The Israelite’s Problem • Oh, the Blight of Spiritual Dullness! • A habitual lifestyle… • A defeated lifestyle… • An “ignorance is bliss” lifestyle… “Joshua said to the sons of Israel, ‘How long will you put off entering to take possession of the land which the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?’” Joshua 18:3

15. PS: The Israelite’s Problem • The Blight of Spiritual Dullness! • God will withhold His wisdom… • Until we’re able to listen… • We sometimes have to fail… • True with “advanced parenting…” • True with Christian Discipleship… “LEARNING TO LISTEN!” “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5