Joshua 9 (5)

Then all the rulers said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel; now therefore, we may not touch them. This we will do to them: We will let them live, lest wrath be upon us because of the oath which we swore to them.” And the rulers said to them, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for all the congregation, as the rulers had promised them.” Then Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you dwell near us? Now therefore, you are cursed, and none of you shall be freed from being slaves—woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.” Joshua 9.19-23

Reflect.
1.  To their credit, Joshua and the other leaders owned up to their mistake before the congregation. Why was that a good thing?

2.  They also set forth a plan for rectifying this situation. Why was that a good idea? Is anything lacking in the response of Joshua and the leaders?

Think about it.
The leaders take the right step in admitting their mistake and trying to make the best of it. But I don’t see any evidence of repentance for the larger sin, the sin of failing to consult the Lord. Their actions seem primarily concerned with quelling the unrest among the people of God. For His part, God appears content to let the leaders squirm a bit before finding a solution which, while it’s Plan B, still has some merit.

The emissaries from Gibeon presented themselves as servants to the nation of Israel. Be careful what you wish for: Joshua granted their request, and that in perpetuity. The question of making people slaves arises at this point, but we will not pursue it. Suffice it to say that (1) slavery was a common practice among ancient peoples, usually as the result of war; (2) the plight of slaves in ancient lands was almost worse than being killed in battle; (3) God’s Law allowed slavery, but with strict conditions that guarded the rights and wellbeing of the slave, including the right to own property, accumulate wealth, and purchase oneself or be purchased into freedom; and (4) to be a slave to the people of Israel was nothing like the horrible experience of chattel slavery perpetrated against Africans in the 17^th-early 19^thcenturies. Slaves were considered property, but they were also treated as image-bearers of God. Thus, although it was standard practice in the ancient world, in the world where Christ’s Kingdom is coming as in heaven, slavery has no place. The New Testament laid the foundation for the elimination of slavery, and Christian peoples from the first century to the present – with some unhappy and notable exceptions – have labored to eradicate slavery wherever it exists, in all its varied forms.

Joshua looks a little feckless to me in verses 22 and 23. He tries to blame the Gibeonites for his having been deceived; but this could have been avoided had he sought the counsel of the Lord. Then he curses and condemns them to slavery as a kind of “Take that!” for their role in his embarrassment. 

The leaders of God’s people are not perfect. They never will be. They will always disappoint us in some ways. Our task is to learn from them as much as possible about what we should and should not do in leading others into the Kingdom and righteousness of God.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  What can we learn from this situation about serving God in our daily lives? 

2.  It frequently seems like leaders are trying to placate the people rather than do the will of God. Do you agree? Explain.

3.  Just because God allowed slavery in ancient Israel doesn’t mean that slavery is part of His good purpose and Kingdom. Explain.

“Formerly Rahab the harlot, who believed with a sound faith with all her house and received the Israelite spies with fullest devotion, was received fully into the community and society of the people; and it is written of her that ‘she was attached to the sons of Israel until today.’ But those who did not so much love the community of the Israelite clan as they were terrified by fear of their destruction approached Jesus [Joshua] with cunning and fraud. How could they deserve the liberty of life and the community of the kingdom in their slavish deceits?” Origen of Alexandria (185-254AD)

Lord, when I was a slave to sin, You liberated me into Your Kingdom. And now I serve You, not as a slave, but…

Pray Psalm 51.14-19.
Every act of confession must be accompanied by repentance and restoration. Listen for the Lord to convict your of sin, then confess, repent, and resolve on a different course of action.

Psalm 51.14-19 (He Leadeth Me)
Deliver us, from guilt, O Lord, You Who have saved us by Your Word; 
And let our tongues Your mercy bless, and sing of Your great righteousness!
Refrain vv. 15, 18
Lord, open now our lips to raise to You sweet songs of joyous praise!
Thus let Your favor on us fall, and build and strengthen Zion’s wall!

No sacrifice, no offering would You have us, Your people, bring; 
But broken spirits, cleansed of lies, and pure hearts You will not despise.
Refrain

Now build Your Church, raise high the wall of those who on Your mercy call.
And take our lives and let them be sweet sacrifices, Lord, to Thee!
Refrain

T. M. Moore

Where does the book of Joshua fit in the ongoing story of God’s covenant? Our workbook, God’s Covenant, can help you discover the place in God’s work of redemption not only of Joshua but of all the books of the Bible. God’s Covenant is a valuable resource to guide you in all your studies in God’s Word. To order your copy, click here. And when you order, we’ll send you a free copy of Bricks and Rungs: Poems on Calling.

Not yet a subscriber to our Crosfigell teaching letter? You’re missing a wealth of insight from Scripture and Celtic Christian leaders. Use the pop-up at the website to update your subscriptions today.

Please prayerfully consider sharing with The Fellowship of Ailbe through your giving. You can contribute to The Fellowship by clicking the Contribute button at the website or by sending your gift to The Fellowship of Ailbe, 19 Tyler Drive, Essex Junction, VT 05452.

Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).