Read: Joshua 9
Life had been progressing well in the Promised Land with victories at Jericho and Ai, after courageously dealing with Achan’s sin. As Moses’ successor, Joshua also took the time to remind Israel of God’s commands for them, which included the provision that no covenant of peace was to be made with the Canaanites.
Evidently, this law of God was discovered by the Gibeonites as they enacted a plan that duped Israel’s leaders into a peace treaty. Offering convincing proof that they were a people from a land far away, for which God had provided a means of peace, Israel’s leader entered into a covenant with them without inquiring of the Lord.
When it was discovered that Gibeon was not far from Israel’s camp, there was outrage and humiliation over the deception. The nation was faced with a crisis. Do they honor their word made in the name of the Lord God of Israel? Or do they break their oath and avenge the deception? To break their word would have led to more sin and dishonored the Lord.
Even though Joshua made a covenant in violation of God’s law, he kept his word by preserving the Gibeonites’ lives, albeit in servitude. When we fail, let us make amends without compounding our original sin with more sin. In Christ alone we find hope, no matter how sinful our past.
PRAYER PROMPT: Father, forgive us of our sins. Help us honor you in all that we do.
Kevin Carrothers serves as DOM for Salem South Association and IBSA president.