Joshua 12:1 The Israelites struck down these kings of the land and took possession of their land beyond the Jordan to the east and from the Arnon River to Mount Hermon, including all the Arabah eastward:
Joshua 12:2 King Sihon of the Amorites lived in Heshbon. He ruled from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon River, along the middle of the valley, and half of Gilead up to the Jabbok River (the border of the Ammonites),
Joshua 12:3 the Arabah east of the Sea of Chinnereth to the Sea of Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea), eastward through Beth-jeshimoth and southward below the slopes of Pisgah.
Joshua 12:4 King Og of Bashan, of the remnant of the Rephaim, lived in Ashtaroth and Edrei.
Joshua 12:5 He ruled over Mount Hermon, Salecah, all Bashan up to the Geshurite and Maacathite border, and half of Gilead to the border of King Sihon of Heshbon.
Joshua 12:6 Moses Yahveh’s slave and the Israelites struck them down. And Moses Yahveh’s slave gave their land as an inheritance to the Reubenites, Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh.
Joshua 12:7 Joshua and the Israelites struck down these kings of the land beyond the Jordan to the west, from Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon to Mount Halak, which ascends toward Seir (Joshua gave their land as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel according to their allotments:
Joshua 12:8 the hill country, the Judean foothills, the Arabah, the slopes, the wilderness, and the Negev – the lands of the Hethites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites):
Joshua 12:9 the king of Jericho one the king of Ai, which is next to Bethel, one
Joshua 12:10 the king of Jerusalem one the king of Hebron one
Joshua 12:11 the king of Jarmuth one the king of Lachish one
Joshua 12:12 the king of Eglon one the king of Gezer one
Joshua 12:13 the king of Debir one the king of Geder one
Joshua 12:14 the king of Hormah one the king of Arad one
Joshua 12:15 the king of Libnah, one the king of Adullam one
Joshua 12:16 the king of Makkedah one the king of Bethel one
Joshua 12:17 the king of Tappuah one the king of Hepher one
Joshua 12:18 the king of Aphek one the king of Lasharon one
Joshua 12:19 the king of Madon one the king of Hazor one
Joshua 12:20 the king of Shimron-meron one the king of Achshaph one
Joshua 12:21 the king of Taanach one the king of Megiddo one
Joshua 12:22 the king of Kedesh one the king of Jokneam in Carmel one
Joshua 12:23 the king of Dor in Naphath-dor one the king of Goiim in Gilgal one
Joshua 12:24 the king of Tirzah one. The total number of all kings: thirty-one.
Joshua 12 quotes:
“An introduction describes the conquered area west of the Jordan before listing defeated kings (12:7-8). Thirtyone kings (12:24) conquered west of the Jordan are listed by the name of their city, not by a personal name. A list of six (not seven) ethnic groups on the western side of the Jordan appears in verse 8 (see the list also in 9:1). The narrative here does not divide the area into ethnic enclaves. The passage contrasts the work of Joshua as conqueror of the western area and thirty-one kings with that of Moses, the conqueror of two. The impressive list elevates Joshua’s role in defeating enemy rulers. Both passages state that Moses (12:6) and Joshua (12:7) gave Israel the land as a possession or inheritance. Surprisingly, the introduction to each section stresses that the tribes conquered the enemy kings and omits any reference to the Lord’s part in the victories (12:1, 7). The entire passage points out the importance of leadership and praises the fighting of the people as keys to defeating enemy leaders.”
Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 74.
“This section recalls the victories won by the Israelites under the leadership of Moses in the land east of the Jordan. The two kings, Sihon of Heshbon and Og of Bashan, were defeated and their land was given to the two and one-half tribes that settled in the east.”
Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 169.
3 They lament, ‘Why don’t you notice when we fast? Why don’t you pay attention when we humble ourselves?’ Look, at the same time you fast, you satisfy your selfish desires, you oppress your workers. 4 Look, your fasting is accompanied by arguments, brawls, and fistfights. Do not fast as you do today, trying to make your voice heard in heaven. 5 Is this really the kind of fasting I want? Do I want a day when people merely humble themselves, bowing their heads like a reed and stretching out on sackcloth and ashes? Is this really what you call a fast, a day that is pleasing to the LORD? 6 No, this is the kind of fast I want. I want you to remove the sinful chains, to tear away the ropes of the burdensome yoke, to set free the oppressed, and to break every burdensome yoke. 7 I want you to share your food with the hungry and to provide shelter for homeless, oppressed people. When you see someone naked, clothe him! Don’t turn your back on your own flesh and blood! 8 Then your light will shine like the sunrise; your restoration will quickly arrive; your godly behavior will go before you, and the LORD’s splendor will be your rear guard. 9 Then you will call out, and the LORD will respond; you will cry out, and he will reply, ‘Here I am.’ You must remove the burdensome yoke from among you and stop pointing fingers and speaking sinfully.
10 You must actively help the hungry and feed the oppressed. Then your light will dispel the darkness, and your darkness will be transformed into noonday.
Some health gurus suggest that intermittent fasting can help us lose weight or manage specific health problems. That is not the fasting Isaiah addresses in today’s text. He is dealing with ritual fasting, when a group of people fast to get back on God’s good side. Recently, our Sunday School class watched a video featuring a former Muslim. He described salvation in Islam as doing enough good works to outweigh all your sins. He said that one of the good works a Muslim can do to impress God is to fast.
The LORD told Isaiah to confront his people with their rebellious deeds. They were seeking God, but they were not changing their ways. They were doing many of the things they thought were right, but it was to cover up for all the things they were doing wrong. Let’s take a look at today’s text to see what the problem was.
What was wrong?
The ritual was fasting, and the people fasted regularly. They complained to Isaiah that God was not holding up his part of the bargain. But God told Isaiah to tell them that their fast was not acceptable. They were doing it, but they were doing it wrong. A fast is supposed to bring a person closer to God by allowing them to focus on God rather than their daily work schedule. It was not just about food. It was also about the tremendous amount of time each day needed for the processing, preparation, and consumption of food. By setting aside time that would otherwise be spent on food, people could focus on their relationship with God.
Food is a natural desire. But if we allow that desire to take first place in our lives, it can overrule our spiritual desires and make us selfish. During their fast, the Israelites showed an inclination toward selfish desires. Instead of satisfying their need for closeness to God, they focused on themselves. Their hunger became an excuse to mistreat others, especially employers. If a couple had servants working for them, they would hate fast days because those would be the days when their bosses would be unbearable. They would use their hunger as an excuse to exploit their workers.
Another thing that happened during fast days was that personal relationships took a hit. Because people were hungry, they allowed it to affect how they felt about each other. Little annoyances became huge problems. Everyone was wound tight, so the slightest thing could make them angry. Anger, without self-control, can lead to arguments and fights. That is what fasting was doing to the people Isaiah was preaching to.
It was also turning them into a nation of hypocrites. They would focus so much on appearing humble, yet inside, they would denounce each other in pride. It was all about the show.
Why was it wrong?
God never intended the ritual of fasting to become a means of destroying his people. He wanted their fasting time to be a time of spiritual healing and growth. He wanted it to be a time when the people could come together and reflect his love for one another. He wanted them to look forward to this time when they could rest from their labor and focus on the word of God rather than on their own stomachs.
God had never intended the ritual of fasting to become a show of false humility. It was designed to reinforce their actual dependence on God and on each other. But it had become a competition. They were trying to outdo each other by appearing more humble than anyone else. The winners looked more humble than the losers. The fact was that they were all losers. You cannot get a blue ribbon in a humility contest. As soon as you accept the prize, you reveal that the show is all you were doing.
Brian Beyer says this about today’s passage:
“The people complained because God was not honoring their fasting (58:3). They abstained from food and humbled themselves (at least they thought so), yet God seemed unimpressed. Isaiah explained the reason for God’s failure to honor the people’s fasting (58:3-4). No heart change occurred. The people continued exploiting their workers and quarreling, their edginess no doubt intensified by their hunger and their frustration at God’s lack of response. Such a situation would never receive God’s blessing. Isaiah contrasted the people’s current situation with the scenario God desired (58:5-7). Sincerity and humility are needed to accompany their fasting. But sincerity and humility were best evidenced by action, not by words. The Lord wanted to see them cease injustice and oppression, share food with the hungry, and take care of others’ needs. Fasting that produced a change of heart in God’s people would bring God’s approval (58:8-12). The Lord’s presence would surround them, and he would quickly answer their prayers. Their spiritual darkness would give way to the light of God’s ways, and the Lord would refresh their souls. They would rebuild ancient cities that had long lain in ruins. God’s presence would bring them the ability and resolve to accomplish everything he set before them.”[1]
How could it be made right?
God tells the people through the prophet that if they want to rescue the fasting ritual, they will need to break some chains. Where were the sinful chains? The lower class was wearing them. The servants, the poor, and the homeless in the community were being mistreated. The foreigners who owned no land were at the mercy of the landowners. During fasting times, the mistreatment worsened. The lower class expected to be abused by their “betters” during fasting days.
God tells the people to change how they observe fasting days. He tells them to take some of the food they have stored because they cannot eat it and give it to the hungry. Build shelters for the homeless and exploited poor. Give clothing to those who need it. Help fellow Israelites who are down on their luck.
He says that if they rescued the ritual of fasting in that way, the darkness will turn to light. Then the Lord will be free to respond to their prayers and make himself known among them.
Communion meditation:
“…we must help the weak, and remember the words of the Lord Jesus that he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20:35).
The communion service is a time we set apart to remember what Jesus Christ did for us. He gave his life for us. His death paid the ransom for our sins, so that we do not have to experience the second death.
The Apostle Paul told the Ephesian elders to remember something else. He told them to remember that Jesus said it is more blessed to give than to receive. He wanted the church community to model the Lord’s generosity.
We don’t have public fasts in our community today, but we do have a ritual we observe every week. It’s called going to church. If we are not careful, going to church can become a time when our selfishness dominates us, and our anger and lack of self-control can ruin our testimony. God wants us to turn that around, too.
Imagine what would happen if our fellowship became a time to help those in need. Imagine if we broke a few chains and rescued the needy during our meetings. Imagine a time focused on spiritual growth rather than the deeds of the flesh. That is what our Lord wants. This week, whenever we remember the blessing of communion, let’s also remember to be a blessing to the others we see every day.
[1] Beyer, Bryan. Encountering the Book of Isaiah: A Historical and Theological Survey. Baker Academic, 2007. pp. 224-225.
Joshua 11:1 When King Jabin of Hazor happened to hear this news, he sent a message to King Jobab of Madon, the kings of Shimron and Achshaph,
Joshua 11:2 and the kings of the north in the hill country, the Arabah south of Chinnereth, the Judean foothills, and the Slopes of Dor to the west,
Joshua 11:3 the Canaanites in the east and west, the Amorites, Hethites, Perizzites, and Jebusites in the hill country, and the Hivites at the foot of Hermon in the land of Mizpah.
Joshua 11:4 They went out with all their armies – a crowd as numerous as the sand on the seashore – along with a vast number of horses and chariots.
Joshua 11:5 All these kings joined forces; they came and camped together at the Waters of Merom to attack Israel.
Joshua 11:6 Yahveh said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them, for at this time tomorrow I will cause all of them to be killed in front of Israel. You are to hamstring their horses and burn their chariots.”
Joshua 11:7 So Joshua and all his troops surprised them at the Waters of Merom and attacked them.
Joshua 11:8 Yahveh handed them over to Israel, and they struck them down, pursuing them as far as greater Sidon and Misrephoth-maim, and to the east as far as the Valley of Mizpeh. They struck them down, leaving no survivors.
Joshua 11:9 Joshua treated them as Yahveh had told him; he hamstrung their horses and burned their chariots.
Joshua 11:10 At that time, Joshua turned back, captured Hazor, and struck down its king with the sword because Hazor had formerly been the leader of all these kingdoms.
Joshua 11:11 They struck down everyone in it with the sword, setting them apart for destruction; he left no one breathing. Then he burned Hazor.
Joshua 11:12 Joshua captured all these kings and their cities and struck them down with the sword. He set them apart for destruction, as Moses Yahveh’s slave had commanded.
Joshua 11:13 However, Israel did not burn any of the cities that stood on their mounds except Hazor, which Joshua burned.
Joshua 11:14 The Israelites plundered all the spoils and cattle of these cities for themselves. But they struck down every person with the sword until they had annihilated them, leaving no one breathing.
Joshua 11:15 just like Yahveh had commanded his slave Moses, Moses commanded Joshua. That is what Joshua did, leaving nothing undone of all that Yahveh had commanded Moses.
Joshua 11:16 So Joshua took all this land – the hill country, all the Negev, all the land of Goshen, the foothills, the Arabah, and the hill country of Israel with its foothills – Joshua 11:17 from Mount Halak, which ascends to Seir, as far as Baal-gad in the Valley of Lebanon at the foot of Mount Hermon. He captured all their kings and struck them down, putting them to death.
Joshua 11:18 Joshua waged war with all these kings for a long time.
Joshua 11:19 No city made a peace treaty with the Israelites except the Hivites who inhabited Gibeon; all of them were taken in battle.
Joshua 11:20 You see, Yahveh intended to harden their hearts so that they would engage Israel in battle, be set apart for destruction without mercy, and be annihilated, just like Yahveh had commanded Moses.
Joshua 11:21 At that time, Joshua proceeded to exterminate the Anakim from the hill country—Hebron, Debir, Anab—all the hill country of Judah and Israel. Joshua set them apart for destruction with their cities.
Joshua 11:22 No Anakim were left in the land of the Israelites, except for some remaining in Gaza, Gath, and Ashdod.
Joshua 11:23 So Joshua took the entire land, in keeping with all that Yahveh had told Moses. Joshua then gave it as an inheritance to Israel according to their tribal allotments. After this, the land had rest from war.
Joshua 11 quotes:
“Joshua 11 begins as Joshua 10 did (10:1). When Jabin king of Hazor hears of the destruction of Jericho, Ai, and the coalition of the five kings, he sends word to other kings (cf. 10:3—-4) in the region to make war on Joshua and Israel. As the king of Jerusalem rallied the kings of the south, so Jabin calls out the northern coalition forces. They respond with their might: They come out with all their troops and a large number of horses and chariots— a huge army, as numerous as the sand on the seashore (11:4). The added dimension in the north is horses and chariots, which strike fear in the tribal forces from the highlands. Chariots were the ultimate fighting machines of that era, and only wealthy and powerful kings possessed them. These weapons reminded the tribes of their weaknesses.”
Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 68.
“This chapter reports Joshua’s campaign in the northern part of the country (verses 1-15). The narrative is very brief and leaves the impression that the whole territory was conquered quickly and easily.”
Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 157.
Joshua 10:1 King Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem happened to hear that Joshua had captured Ai and set it apart for destruction, treating Ai and its king as he had Jericho and its king. He also heard that the inhabitants of Gibeon had made a peace treaty with Israel and were living among them.
Joshua 10:2 So Adoni-Zedek and his people were greatly alarmed because Gibeon was a large city like one of the royal cities; it was larger than Ai, and all its men were warriors.
Joshua 10:3 That is why King Adoni-Zedek of Jerusalem sent word to King Hoham of Hebron, King Piram of Jarmuth, King Japhia of Lachish, and King Debir of Eglon, saying,
Joshua 10:4 “Come up and assist me. We will attack Gibeon because they have made a peace treaty with Joshua and the Israelites.”
Joshua 10:5 So the five Amorite kings – the kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon – joined forces, advanced with all their armies, besieged Gibeon, and fought against it.
Joshua 10:6 Then the men of Gibeon sent word to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal: “Don’t give up on your slaves. Come quickly and deliver us! Help us, because all the Amorite kings living in the hill country have joined forces against us.”
Joshua 10:7 So Joshua and all his troops, including all his most capable soldiers, came from Gilgal.
Joshua 10:8 Yahveh said to Joshua, “Do not be afraid of them because I have handed them over to you. Not one of them will be able to stand against you.”
Joshua 10:9 So Joshua caught them by surprise after marching all night from Gilgal.
Joshua 10:10 Yahveh threw them into confusion before Israel. He defeated them in a great slaughter at Gibeon, chased them through the ascent of Beth-horon, and struck them down as far as Azekah and Makkedah.
Joshua 10:11 As they fled before Israel, Yahveh dropped large hailstones on them from the sky along the descent of Beth-horon all the way to Azekah, and they died. More of them died from the hail than the Israelites killed with the sword.
Joshua 10:12 On the day Yahveh gave the Amorites over to the Israelites, Joshua spoke to Yahveh in the presence of Israel: “Sun, stand still over Gibeon, and moon, over the Valley of Aijalon.”
Joshua 10:13 And the sun stood still, and the moon stopped until the nation took vengeance on its enemies. Isn’t this written in the Book of Jashar? So the sun stopped in the middle of the sky and delayed its setting almost a full day.
Joshua 10:14 There has been no day like it before or since when Yahveh listened to a man because Yahveh fought for Israel.
Joshua 10:15 Then Joshua and all Israel with him returned to the camp at Gilgal.
Joshua 10:16 The five defeated kings had fled and hidden in the cave at Makkedah.
Joshua 10:17 It was reported to Joshua: “The five kings have been found; they are hiding in the cave at Makkedah.”
Joshua 10:18 Joshua said, “Roll large stones against the mouth of the cave, and station men by it to guard the kings.
Joshua 10:19 But as for the rest of you, don’t stay there. Pursue your enemies and attack them from behind. Don’t let them enter their cities because Yahveh, your God, has handed them over to you.”
Joshua 10:20 So Joshua and the Israelites finished inflicting a terrible slaughter on them until they were destroyed, although a few survivors ran away to the fortified cities.
Joshua 10:21 The people returned safely to Joshua in the camp at Makkedah, and no one dared threaten the Israelites.
Joshua 10:22 Then Joshua said, “Open the mouth of the cave, and bring those five kings to me out of there.”
Joshua 10:23 That is what they did. They brought the five kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon, to Joshua out of the cave.
Joshua 10:24 When they had brought the kings to him, Joshua summoned all the men of Israel and said to the military commanders who had accompanied him, “Come here and put your feet on the necks of these kings.” So, the commanders came forward and put their feet on their necks.
Joshua 10:25 Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid or discouraged. Be strong and courageous, for Yahveh will do this to all the enemies you fight.”
Joshua 10:26 After this, Joshua struck them down and executed them. He hung their bodies on five trees, and they were there until evening.
Joshua 10:27 At sunset, Joshua commanded that they be taken down from the trees and thrown into the cave where they had hidden. Then, large stones were placed against the mouth of the cave, and the stones are still there today.
Joshua 10:28 On that day, Joshua captured Makkedah and struck it down with the sword, including its king. He set it and everyone in it apart for destruction, leaving no survivors. So, he treated the king of Makkedah as he had the king of Jericho.
Joshua 10:29 Joshua and all Israel with him crossed from Makkedah to Libnah and fought against Libnah.
Joshua 10:30 Yahveh also handed it and its king over to Israel. He struck it down, putting everyone to the sword, and left no survivors. He treated Libnah’s king as he had the king of Jericho.
Joshua 10:31 From Libnah, Joshua and all Israel with him crossed to Lachish. They laid siege to it and attacked it.
Joshua 10:32 Yahveh handed Lachish over to Israel, and Joshua captured it on the second day. He struck it down, putting everyone in it to the sword, just like he had done to Libnah.
Joshua 10:33 At that time, King Horam of Gezer went to help Lachish, but Joshua struck him down along with his people, leaving no survivors.
Joshua 10:34 Then Joshua crossed from Lachish to Eglon, with all Israel, and they laid siege to and attacked it.
Joshua 10:35 On that day, they captured it and struck it down, putting everyone in it to the sword. He set it apart for destruction that day, just like he had done to Lachish.
Joshua 10:36 Next, Joshua and all Israel with him went up from Eglon to Hebron and attacked it.
Joshua 10:37 They captured it and struck down its king, all its villages, and everyone in it with the sword. He left no survivors, just like he had done at Eglon. He set Hebron and everyone in it apart for destruction.
Joshua 10:38 Finally, Joshua turned toward Debir and attacked it. And all Israel was with him.
Joshua 10:39 He captured it – its king and all its villages. They struck them down with the sword and set everyone in it apart for destruction, leaving no survivors. He treated Debir and its king as he had treated Hebron and as he had treated Libnah and its king.
Joshua 10:40 So Joshua conquered the whole region – the hill country, the Negev, the Judean foothills, and the slopes – with all their kings, leaving no survivors. He set every breathing[1] being apart for destruction, as Yahveh, the God of Israel, had commanded.
Joshua 10:41 Joshua conquered everyone from Kadesh-Barnea to Gaza and all the land of Goshen as far as Gibeon.
Joshua 10:42 Joshua captured all these kings and their land in one campaign because Yahveh, the God of Israel, fought for Israel.
Joshua 10:43 Then Joshua returned with all of Israel to the camp at Gilgal.
“A poem from the Book of Jashar celebrates the Lord’s support of the troops. In the poem’s introduction, Joshua calls out to the Lord, the ruler of the heavens, in front of Israel. He mentions the sun standing still over Gibeon and the moon, over the Valley of Aijalon. The poem states that the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, until the tribes avenged themselves against the enemy (10:12-13).”
Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 65.
“The word spoken to the sun was “stand still” (10:12). The variety of meanings of that word includes 4e silent or mute, become inactive, or cease from normal activity and function. Since the function of the sun is to shine, the word in this context could mean refrain from shining (don’t break forth with the dawn). On the other hand the statement concluding verse 13 describes the sun as stopping in the sky and staying in the sky, thus delaying the sunset.”
Lyles, Ron, et al. Joshua and Judges. 1st ed, Baptistway Press, 2005. p. 56.
“The first part of the book (1.1—12.24), which deals with the conquest of Canaan, is now drawing to a close. Having secured the central section of the land (Jericho, Ai, Gibeon), Joshua now strikes south and captures important cities and strongholds. In chapter 11 Joshua’s campaigns in the northern part of Canaan are reported, and chapter 12 brings the first half of the book to a close with a summary statement of the victories of Moses and Joshua.”
Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 136.
Joshua 9:1 When all the kings heard about Jericho and Ai, those who were west of the Jordan in the hill country, in the Judean foothills, and all along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea toward Lebanon – the Hethites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites –
Joshua 9:2 they formed a unified alliance to fight against Joshua and Israel.
Joshua 9:3 When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai,
Joshua 9:4 they acted deceptively. They gathered provisions and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys and old wineskins, cracked and mended.
Joshua 9:5 They wore old, patched sandals on their feet and threadbare clothing on their bodies. Their entire provision of bread was dry and crumbly.
Joshua 9:6 They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, “We have come from a faraway land. Please make a treaty with us.”
Joshua 9:7 The men of Israel replied to the Hivites, “What if you actually live among us? How could we make a treaty with you?”
Joshua 9:8 They said to Joshua, “We are your slaves.” Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you, and where do you come from?”
Joshua 9:9 They replied to him, “Your slaves have come from a faraway land because of the reputation of Yahveh, your God. You see, we have heard news about him and all that he did in Egypt,
Joshua 9:10 and all that he did to the two Amorite kings beyond the Jordan – King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan, who was in Ashtaroth.
Joshua 9:11 So our elders and all the inhabitants of our land told us, ‘Take provisions with you for the journey; go and meet them and say, “We are your slaves. Please make a treaty with us.”‘
Joshua 9:12 This bread of ours was warm when we took it from our houses as food on the day we left to come to you; but see, it is now dry and crumbly.
Joshua 9:13 These wineskins were new when we filled them; but see, they are cracked. And these clothes and sandals of ours are worn out from the extremely long journey.”
Joshua 9:14 Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions but did not seek Yahveh’s decision.
Joshua 9:15 So Joshua established a relationship with them and made a treaty to allow them to stay alive, and the leaders of the community swore an oath to them.
Joshua 9:16 Three days after making the treaty with them, they heard that the Gibeonites were their neighbors, living among them.
Joshua 9:17 So the Israelites set out and reached the Gibeonite cities on the third day. Their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim.
Joshua 9:18 But the Israelites did not attack them, because the leaders of the community had sworn an oath to them by Yahveh, the God of Israel. Then, the whole community grumbled against the leaders.
Joshua 9:19 All the leaders answered them, “We have sworn an oath to them by Yahveh, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them.
Joshua 9:20 This is how we will treat them: we will let them stay alive so that no wrath will fall on us because of the oath we swore to them.”
Joshua 9:21 They also said, “Let them stay alive.” So, as the leaders had promised, the Gibeonites became woodcutters and water carriers for the whole community.
Joshua 9:22 Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said to them, “Why did you deceive us by telling us you live far away from us, when in fact you live among us?
Joshua 9:23 Therefore you are cursed and will always be slaves – woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”
Joshua 9:24 The Gibeonites answered him, “It was clearly reported to your slaves that Yahveh, your God, had commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land and to annihilate all the inhabitants of the land before you. We greatly feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this.
Joshua 9:25 Now we are in your hands. Do to us whatever you think is right.”
Joshua 9:26 This is what Joshua did to them: he rescued them from the Israelites, and they did not kill them.
Joshua 9:27 On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers – as they are today – for the community and for Yahveh’s altar at the place he would choose.
Joshua 9 quotes:
” A new phase of possessing the land begins here, and conquering the hill country is the next challenge for possessing the land. The narrator tells of independent ethnic enclaves who plot war against the tribal threat (9:1). These ethnic groups live in the hill country, in the western foothills (Shephelah), and along the coast of the Mediterranean, or Great Sea, as far north as Lebanon. The narrator tells readers that the nations in Canaan came together to make war against Joshua and Israel (9:2).”
Harris J. Gordon et al. Joshua Judges Ruth. Hendrickson Publishers ; Paternoster Press 2000. p. 61.
“The biblical narrator wants the reader to know that this ruse tricked the Israelites but not their God. Had they inquired of God, they would have learned of the deceit that targeted them (9:14).”
Lyles, Ron, et al. Joshua and Judges. 1st ed, Baptistway Press, 2005. p. 53.
“This chapter tells how the people of Gibeon, a city some 11 kilometers southwest of Ai, tricked the Israelites into making a treaty with them. Their plan worked, and even when the Israelites discovered that they had been deceived they could not kill them; the treaty was binding, and all the Israelites could do was to subject them to the status of slavery, a condition which was still in force when the account was written.”
Bratcher Robert G and Barclay Moon Newman. A Handbook on the Book of Joshua. United Bible Societies 1992. p. 123.
jeffersonvann 