What can we learn from the Gibeonites' fear of Israel's God in Joshua 9:24? Setting the Scene “So they answered Joshua, ‘It was clearly reported to your servants that the LORD your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you the whole land and to destroy all its inhabitants before you. We feared greatly for our lives because of you, and we did this.’ ” What Prompted Their Fear • Word of mouth: news of the Red Sea, Jericho, and Ai traveled quickly (Joshua 2:10–11; 6:20–21). • Divine decree: they believed God’s command to give Israel the land (Deuteronomy 7:1–2). • Certainty of judgment: they understood resistance meant destruction (Exodus 23:23–24). The Gibeonites’ Fear Acknowledged God’s Sovereignty • They referred to “the LORD your God,” confessing His authority over territory and nations. • Their fear was not merely of Israel’s army, but of the God who empowered it—an implicit admission that the battle was the Lord’s (1 Samuel 17:47). Fear That Led to Action • They took initiative. Fear propelled them to seek terms of peace, albeit by deception. • Their strategy showed they believed God’s promises to Israel more than some Israelites did (compare Numbers 13:31–33). • Their lives were spared; they became woodcutters and water carriers “for the altar of the LORD” (Joshua 9:27), placing them in continual proximity to covenant worship. Key Takeaways 1. God’s reputation precedes His people • “The fear and dread of you will fall on all the land” (Deuteronomy 11:25). • Our obedience or disobedience still reflects on His name (Matthew 5:16). 2. Holy fear is the beginning of wisdom • Proverbs 9:10—fear drives sinners toward God’s mercy or hardens them in rebellion. • The Gibeonites chose preservation; others chose defiance and perished (Joshua 10:1–11). 3. God’s Word is unquestionably reliable • Pagans believed it; believers must never doubt it (Psalm 119:89). • Every promise of judgment or blessing stands (Isaiah 55:10–11). 4. Mercy extends beyond Israel • Rahab and the Gibeonites show God welcomes outsiders who submit (Romans 15:9–12). • Their servanthood placed them at the heart of worship, hinting at Gentile inclusion in God’s redemptive plan. 5. Fear without trust breeds compromise • Deception exposed a lack of full faith; honesty would have honored God more. • Believers today must pair reverence with transparent reliance on the Lord (2 Corinthians 4:2). 6. Covenant faithfulness matters • Israel honored its oath despite the trickery, illustrating the sanctity of vows before God (Psalm 15:4). • Integrity is indispensable, even when others act dishonorably. Living It Out • Cultivate a reverent view of God’s holiness and power. • Rest firmly on the certainty of His Word; let no circumstance shake that confidence. • Seek His mercy openly, not through self-made schemes. • Maintain integrity in every commitment, reflecting the character of the God you serve. |
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