22 Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you live among us? 23 Now therefore you are cursed, and some of you will never fail to be slaves, both wood cutters and drawers of water for the house of my God.” 24 They answered Joshua, and said, “Because your servants were certainly told how Yahweh your God commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you. Therefore we were very afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing. 25 Now, behold, we are in your hand. Do to us as it seems good and right to you to do.” 26 He did so to them, and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they didn’t kill them. 27 That day Joshua made them wood cutters and drawers of water for the congregation and for Yahweh’s altar to this day, in the place which he should choose.
In the passage, God has been giving the Israelites victory over the neighboring people groups.1 While the other peoples gather to oppose them, the Gibeonites hear about these recent victories and fear for their lives. They put on worn sandals and carry moldy bread; and so, deceive the Israelites into thinking that they pose no threat and ratifying a peace treaty between both groups.2
The writer of Joshua observes in verse 14 that the Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. They trust in their eyes and ears to conclude wrongly that the Gibeonites really did represent harmless people from a distant country.3
After finding out about their error, Joshua graciously saves them from the Israelites; and makes them woodcutters and water carriers to serve at God’s altar (26-27).
I think this passage shows a picture of God’s grace. The Gibeonites expect to die and endure wrath.4 But Joshua shows them mercy; and gives them a humble post to worship God (27). To me this seems like another example in the Old Testament of imperfect depictions of Jesus (The prophets, Levitical priests, judges, kings all foreshadow Jesus the true priest who offers up himself, who judges, who rules as king of war and peacetime…)
Maybe relatedly, sometimes in this place I think that I resort to so-and-so dress to blend in better with people. One day I’m striding around like a union rep asking people (smiling winningly) for a thermometer to measure the building’s temperature. The other day I’m adding fuel to the fire as my tablemates lament society’s moral decay. I started off writing this post about an interesting chat between me and this fellow (pleasant but an unnerving gaze) who was about to start telling me about Christian nationalism. I wonder if I’m sinning by blending in deceptively this way (probably). Still, thanks be to God. Jesus saves!
They came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel (2). ↩︎
…They resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy (4-6). ↩︎
The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord (14). ↩︎
Administered imperfectly by the Israelites who depend on their own eyes and hands. ↩︎