How should Joshua 9:24 influence our approach to making covenants or agreements? Verse in Focus “They answered Joshua, ‘Your servants were clearly told that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you the whole land and to destroy all its inhabitants before you. So we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and we did this.’” ( Joshua 9:24) Background: The Gibeonite Deception • Israel had just seen Jericho and Ai fall; news of God’s power spread. • The Gibeonites, knowing destruction awaited, posed as distant travelers to secure a treaty with Israel (Joshua 9:3-15). • Joshua and the leaders “did not ask the counsel of the LORD” (Joshua 9:14) and bound themselves by oath. • Three days later the truth surfaced, yet the covenant had to stand (Joshua 9:18-20). Key Observations from Joshua 9:24 • The Gibeonites acted out of fear, not faith, highlighting how desperation can drive deception. • They banked on Israel’s reputation for honoring God-given commands—even commands of judgment. • Israel’s leaders upheld the oath despite the lies, treating covenant promises as sacred. Guidelines for Modern Agreements • Seek God first. – Like Israel, we can be tempted to “lean on [our] own understanding” (Proverbs 3:5-6). – Prayer and Scripture should precede significant commitments. • Investigate thoroughly. – “Test all things; hold fast what is good” (1 Thessalonians 5:21). – Facts matter. Due diligence protects us and others. • Value integrity over convenience. – Once Israel swore by the LORD, breaking that oath would profane His name (Exodus 20:7). – Our word reflects our witness; God expects consistency (Matthew 5:37). • Accept responsibility for missteps. – Israel honored the treaty even at military and social cost (Joshua 10:6-15). – Owning consequences mirrors God’s own faithfulness (2 Timothy 2:13). Supporting Scriptures • Numbers 30:2 — “When a man makes a vow to the LORD…he must not break his word.” • Ecclesiastes 5:4-5 — “Better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.” • Psalm 15:4 — The righteous person “keeps his oath even when it hurts.” • Proverbs 11:3 — “The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the treacherous destroys them.” Walking It Out • Before signing contracts, joining ministries, or entering partnerships, pause to seek God’s direction. • Evaluate motives—both yours and the other party’s—for honesty and alignment with Scripture. • Let your yes be yes and your no be no, trusting God to honor integrity even when agreements prove costly. |
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