1 When the news reached the kings west of the Jordan, in the mountain regions and in the foothills, and all along the coast of the Great Sea as far as Lebanon: Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites,
2 they all formed an alliance to launch a common attack against Joshua and Israel.
3 On learning what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, the inhabitants of Gibeon
4 put into effect a device of their own. They chose provisions for a journey, making use of old sacks for their asses, and old wineskins, torn and mended.
5 They wore old, patched sandals and shabby garments; and all the bread they took was dry and crumbly.
6 Thus they journeyed to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal, where they said to him and to the men of Israel, "We have come from a distant land to propose that you make an alliance with us."
7 But the men of Israel replied to the Hivites, "You may be living in land that is ours. How, then, can we make an alliance with you?"
8 But they answered Joshua, "We are your servants." Then Joshua asked them, "Who are you? Where do you come from?"
9 They answered him, "Your servants have come from a far-off land, because of the fame of the LORD, your God. For we have heard reports of all that he did in Egypt
10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan, Sihon, king of Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth.
11 So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, 'Take along provisions for the journey and go to meet them. Say to them: We are your servants; we propose that you make an alliance with us.'
12 This bread of ours was still warm when we brought it from home as provisions the day we left to come to you, but now it is dry and crumbled.
13 Here are our wineskins, which were new when we filled them, but now they are torn. Look at our garments and sandals, which are worn out from the very long journey."
14 Then the Israelite princes partook of their provisions, without seeking the advice of the LORD.
15 So Joshua made an alliance with them and entered into an agreement to spare them, which the princes of the community sealed with an oath.
16 Three days after the agreement was entered into, the Israelites learned that these people were from nearby, and would be living in Israel.
17 The third day on the road, the Israelites came to their cities of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath-jearim,
18 but did not attack them, because the princes of the community had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. When the entire community grumbled against the princes,
19 these all remonstrated with the people, "We have sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and so we cannot harm them.
20 Let us therefore spare their lives and so deal with them that we shall not be punished for the oath we have sworn to them."
21 Thus the princes recommended that they be let live, as hewers of wood and drawers of water for the entire community; and the community did as the princes advised them.
22 Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said to them, "Why did you lie to us and say that you lived at a great distance from us, when you will be living in our very midst?
23 For this are you accursed: every one of you shall always be a slave (hewers of wood and drawers of water) for the house of my God."
24 They answered Joshua, "Your servants were fully informed of how the LORD, your God, commanded his servant Moses that you be given the entire land and that all its inhabitants be destroyed before you. Since, therefore, at your advance, we were in great fear for our lives, we acted as we did.
25 And now that we are in your power, do with us what you think fit and right."
26 Joshua did what he had decided: while he saved them from being killed by the Israelites,
27 at the same time he made them, as they still are, hewers of wood and drawers of water for the community and for the altar of the LORD, in the place of the LORD'S choice.
Versículos relacionados com Joshua, 9:
Joshua 9 reports the episode in which the inhabitants of Gibeom, concerned about the threat of being attacked by Israel, deceive Israeli leaders by passing a distant people who want to make a peace treaty. Israel's leaders fall into deceit and make a pact with the Gibeonites without consulting God. Below are five verses related to the topics covered in Joshua 9.
Proverbs 14:15: "The fool believes in everything, but the wise man knows how to discern." This verse speaks of the importance of not believing everything that is heard, and seeking wisdom and discernment before making decisions. Israel's leaders were deceived by the inhabitants of Gibeom because they were foolish in believing in their lies.
Proverbs 21:30: "There is no wisdom, no intelligence, no advice against the Lord." This verse speaks of God's sovereignty about all things. Israel's leaders did not consult God before they make a pact with the Gibeonites, and paid the price for this lack of wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 5:4: "When you make a vote to God, be sure to fulfill Him; for not being pleased with fools. What you vote for, pays it." This verse speaks of the importance of fulfilling the vows made to God. The leaders of Israel had made a pact with the Gibeonites, but they could not undo it, for they had taken an oath to God.
Matthew 10:16: "Behold, send you like sheep in the midst of wolves; thirst, prudent like snakes and simple as doves." This verse speaks of the need to stay vigilant and prudent in all situations. Israel's leaders were deceived by the inhabitants of Gibeom because they were not prudent.
Ephesians 5:15: "Therefore, wisely see how you walk, not foolish, but as wise." This verse speaks of the importance of living wise and prudently. Israel's leaders were foolish to believe the lies of Gibeom's inhabitants, and paid the price for this lack of wisdom.
Fejezetek: