What can we learn about God's expectations for integrity from Joshua 9:20? Setting the Scene • Israel’s leaders had been deceived by the Gibeonites into making a peace treaty (Joshua 9:3-15) • Despite discovering the deception, the leaders affirmed, “We have sworn to them by the LORD… and now we cannot touch them” (Joshua 9:19) • The decision in verse 20 flowed directly from reverence for the oath made in God’s name Key Verse “ ‘This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, lest wrath fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them.’” (Joshua 9:20) Truths About Integrity Drawn from the Verse • Integrity is non-negotiable once a promise is sealed before God • God’s wrath is linked to oath-breaking; He treats vows with utmost seriousness • Honoring a commitment may involve personal cost, yet obedience protects from divine displeasure • Integrity safeguards God’s reputation among those who witness His people’s conduct Supporting Scripture • Numbers 30:2 — “When a man makes a vow to the LORD… he must not break his word.” • Psalm 15:4 — God honors the one “who keeps his oath even when it hurts.” • Ecclesiastes 5:4-6 — Delayed or broken vows provoke God’s anger. • Matthew 5:33-37; James 5:12 — Jesus and James reaffirm the call to plain, truthful speech and promise-keeping. Practical Implications • Keep commitments to spouses, family, employers, neighbors, and churches, even when circumstances change • Speak carefully before pledging time, money, or service; once spoken, follow through • Avoid casual or flippant use of “I promise,” recognizing each word is spoken before the Lord (Proverbs 12:22) • Model reliability so that unbelievers see a reflection of God’s own faithfulness (Titus 2:7-8) Summary of God’s Expectation Joshua 9:20 teaches that God expects His people to uphold integrity by keeping every promise made in His name, regardless of inconvenience, because failing to do so invites His righteous wrath and dishonors His character of perfect faithfulness. |
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