As we continue our study of the Book of Joshua, we see what happens next. Even though they and completely destroyed Jericho and Ai, word had gotten through to neighboring regions.
The Men of Gibeon (actually a confederation of cities put together a plan to trick Israel into making a covenant with them. They pretend to be from a far country and masterfully pull off their deception. A Covenant of peace is made with them so when the ruse is found out, their lives would be spared.
They would become woodcutters and water carriers... servants and slaves in Israel. While somewhat ignoble, the other option was death.
The moral lesson if we want to think in those terms is principally found in verse 14... "and they did not seek counsel from the LORD."
Theme: Relying on their own wisdom, the Israelites make a covenant with the Gibeonites.
We will consider I. The Reason for the Ruse II. The Embrace of the Ruse III. The Outcome of the Ruse
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