Joshua 9:21

"We will do this to them, and let them live; lest wrath be on us, because of the oath which we swore to them.”"

Key Reflection

In Joshua 9:21, the inhabitants of Gibeon strategically deceive the Israelites by pretending they are peaceful foreigners from a distant land, seeking peace and alliance. The Israelites, bound by their oath to spare them as a sign of their agreement with this supposed alliance, decide to let the Gibeonites live despite their initial suspicion of a ruse. This action is both a fulfillment of their word and a demonstration of God’s sovereign will, as He later confirms through Joshua that He would have granted these people victory over the Gibeonites anyway (Joshua 10:42). The Israelites' adherence to their oath, despite initial reservations, highlights themes of faithfulness and divine providence in their actions.

From the Scholars: Barnes' Notes

Render “they shall be hewers of wood and drawers of water:” menial duties belonging to the lowest classes only (compare the marginal reference). The curse of NoahGenesis 9:25on the children of Ham was thus fulfilled to the letter in the case of these Hivites.

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