DBG - March 14 - Joshua 8-9

In this chapter Israel avenges their defeat at Ai with a resounding victory.

vs. 1-2 – Now that the sin of Achan has been dealt with, God commands Israel continue their conquest and take Ai.

vs. 3-13 – Joshua’s plan is to take advantage of the overconfidence of the Canaanites after the initial defeat.  He will draw out the defenders by feigning retreat with his main body of 25,000.  But he has placed 5,000 in ambush west of the city, to sweep in behind the defenders and seize the city. 

vs. 14-29 – The plan is executed to perfection.  The Canaanites chase after Joshua’s “retreating” men.  Joshua signals to begin the ambush by raising his spear.  The city is taken easily since no soldiers defended it.  The divided forces then crush the disheartened Canaanites from two sides.

vs. 30-35 – Joshua fulfills the command of God in Deuteronomy 27 and gathers the people between Mt. Ebal and Mt. Gerizim.   The entirety of the Law is read to the gathered people.

In this chapter we read of the deception that one Canaanite tribe used to avoid destruction.

vs. 1-2 – The scattered Canaanites tribes unite in defense against Joshua and Israel.

vs. 3-13 – The Hivites of Gibeon (“hill city”) trick Joshua into believing they are not Canaanites but rather a people from another area.  This is done by dressing and acting like they had just arrived after a long journey.  They claim they are ambassadors seeking a treaty of peace with Israel.

vs. 14-15 – No one thinks to inquire what God would have them to do with these visitors.  Joshua and the leaders of Israel believe the deception and enter a peace treaty with them.

vs. 16-27 – The deception is discovered.  Israel is caught between honoring their treaty and obeying God’s command to eradicate the Canaanite tribes.  It is a scandal among the people.  Joshua confronts the Gibeonites.  They are allowed to live, but they are to become slaves.  We read in II Samuel 21 that they remained such into the reigns of Saul and David, and assuredly until the fall of the Kingdom of Judah.

Most people assume Satan attacks directly and in the open.  This is rarely how he works.  His usual methods is to deceive.  He did so in the Garden with Eve.  He is like a fisherman who places a worm on a hook.  All the fish sees is lunch and cannot discern the deadly hook.  We must be on guard for the “hook” that is hidden in something that appears safe and whole.

Our hymn today is a very rarely seen text by John Newton titled “Gibeon”.  It was published in the 1^st volume of Newton’s Olney Hymns.  It takes a different angle on the story of the Gibeonites, using them as an example of the sinner coming to Christ for mercy. 

When Joshua, by GOD’s command,

Invaded Canaan’s guilty land;

Gibeon, unlike the nations round,

Submission made and mercy found.

Their stubborn neighbors who enraged,

United war against them waged,

By Joshua soon were overthrown,

For Gibeon’s cause was now his own.

He, from whose arm they ruin feared,

Their leader and ally appeared

An emblem of the Savior’s grace,

To those who humbly seek his face.

The men of Gibeon wore disguise,

And gained their peace by framing lies;

For Joshua had no pow’r to spare,

If he had known from whence they were.

But JESUS invitations sends,

Treating with rebels as his friends;

And holds the promise forth in view,

To all who for his mercy sue.

Too long his goodness I disdained,

Yet went at last and peace obtained;

But soon the noise of war I heard,

And former friends in arms appeared.

Weak in myself for help I cried,

LORD, I am pressed on every side;

The cause is thine, they fight with me,

But every blow is aimed at thee.

With speed to my relief he came,

And put my enemies to shame;

Thus saved by grace I live to sing,

The love and triumphs of my King.