Unit 1 LESSON 3

September 21, 2025

Study Text: Joshua 9:1 through 10:15

Central Truth: God is faithful to help those who seek His guidance.

KEY VERSE--Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (KJV).

Trust in the LORD with all your heart: do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take (NLT).

LET'S GET STARTED

In Lewis Carroll's classic book Alice in Wonderland, Alice asks the Cheshire Cat, "Would you tell me please, which way I ought to go from here?" "That depends a good deal on where you want to get to," said the Cat. "I don't much care where--" said Alice. "Then it doesn't matter which way you go. " said the Cat. "--.so long as I get somewhere." Alice added as an explanation. "Oh, you're sure to do that," said the Cat, "if you only walk long enough." Thankfully, we are much better off than Alice. We are not forced to depend on unreliable guides, because our Heavenly Father will guide our steps if we listen to His voice. The end of Joshua 8 records how the Israelites renewed their covenant with God after defeating Ai. Yet, Joshua 9 shows the Israelites soon took their focus from God, falling for a deceptive plot hatched by their enemies. We can learn a great deal from the mistakes made by God's people throughout history.

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PART 1- Prayerlessness Leads to Deception

The Gibeonites' Plot       Joshua 9:1-5

Joshua 9:1-2 marks a transition in Israel's military strategy. So far, they had faced armies that were defending cities; from this point on, they would engage in battle against entire kingdoms. Unlike the belligerent kingdoms listed in verses 1-2, the Gibeonites showed no interest in fighting Isarael (verses 3-4). They decided instead to seek a peace treaty. The Gibeonites devised a scheme. They would send ambassadors dressed in tattered clothes and carrying moldy food in their bags to deceive Israel into thinking they had traveled a great distance. The Gibeonites hoped this would convince Israel to agree to make a peace treaty with them.

DISCUSS?  Why do you think the Gibeonites chose to seek a treaty with Israel rather than forming an alliance with the Canaanite kingdoms that surround them?

The Israelites' Mistake                     Joshua 9:6-15

The Gibeonite ambassadors arrived at Israel's camp and announced, "We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us" (Joshua 9:6). The Gibeonites did not actually live nearby, posing more of a threat? Joshua asked where the Gibeonites had come from (Johua 9:8). They offered a convoluted explanation of how they made their way to the Israelite encampment. They only mentioned Israel's victories that took place outside of Canaan. They did not mention Ai or Jerricho. The Israelite leaders listened. They considered the circumstances. But "they did not consult the LORD." Joshua drew up a peace treaty that guaranteed the Gibeonites" safety. Once again, Joshua consulted human authorities--specifically, the community leaders of Israel--but he did not consult God.

 Discuss?  In what ways do we sometimes trust our own observations instead of asking for God's perspective?

Part 2-- Living with the Consequences

                         The Israelites Keep Their Oath                            Joshua 9:16-23                    

Only three days the treaty with the Gibeonites had been drawn up, Israel realized they had been deceived (Joshua 9:16). The Israelites had made provision for a Canaanite territory in the Promised Land. Because of the vow they had made, Israel was powerless to destroy the Gibeonites. Yes, they had disobeyed God by making the oath in the first place but violating it was impossible (Numbers 30:1-2). Joshua 9:19-21 describes how, despite the Israelites' grumbling, Joshua allowed the Gibeonites to live. They would be relegated to servitude. It is easy to question how Joshua and the leaders could have been so easily trap. We must stay alert and in tune with the Holy Spirit. Only then can we stand against the deceptive tactics of the enemy.

DISCUSS? How should we react when we realize we've been deceived by the enemy?

The Gibeonites Are Spared                   Joshua 9:22-27

Joshua told the Gibeonites that their assignment as wood and water carriers was a curse because of their deception. In verses 24 and 25, the Gibeonites explained why they had deceived the Israelite leaders. They had heard that Israel's God had already given Canaan to them and had commanded Moses to destroy everyone living there. Instead of facing certain death, the Gibeonites decided to place themselves at the mercy of Joshua and his God. Joshua saved the Gibeonites from destruction, keeping the oath, he had made. As a result, the Gibeonites became part of Israel's long-term history. God's people continued to make poor decisions and disobey God. But God continued to move His plan forward. In their story, we can recognize the nature of the One who promised to bless all nations through Abraham's descendants.

Discuss? What similarities and differences do you see between the stories of Rahab (Joshua 2) and the Gibeonites (Joshua 9)?

      Part 3- God Answers Prayer and Gives Victory

        The Amorites Attack      Joshua 10:1-8

The alliance between Gibeon and Israel sent political and military shock waves through the region (Joshua 10:1-5). The other rulers in the area were horrified to hear that Israel had allied themselves with Gibeon. King Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem was one of five Amorite kings who decided to combine their forces and eliminate Gibeon once for all. When the Amorites attacked, the Gibeonites quickly sent a message to Joshua, begging for help. He quickly dispatched his entire army. The Lord had a word for Joshua in this moment: "I have given you over them." The Lord remained faithful to His people. Victory was assured. Joshua's support for the Gibeonites reminds us that our integrity and choice to honor God should not be swayed by other people's behavior. Joshua did not hold a grudge, but he honored his vow and did what was right, no matter the cost.

Discuss?  What can we learn from the message that God remained faithful despite Israel's failures?

The Sun Stands Still                 Joshua 10:9-15

God's hand was clearly at work throughout Israel's battle against the Amorites. After Joshua led the Israelites in an all-night march and surprise attack, God threw the Amorite army into frenzied confusion (Joshua 10:9-10). As the Amorites fled, God sent a massive hailstorm that "Killed more of the enemy than the Israelites killed with the sword." As the battle wore on, Joshua realized the sun would soon set. So he made an astounding request to God: "Let the sun stand still over Gibeon, and the moon over the valley of Aijalon." This seems like an impossible prayer, but verse 13 tells us that God miraculously stopped the movement of the sun and moon until Israel was victorious. Instead of depending on our own limited ability to understand a difficult situation, we should fully rely on our all-powerful, miracle-working God. When we pray for His help, we might receive a supernatural response like Joshua did. But no matter how God answers, we can have faith that He is fighting for us.

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DISCUSS? What are some ways God continues to intervene for His people today?

WHAT IS GOD SAYING TO US? 

It is important to recognize that decision-making is a spiritual act. It's all too easy to make selfish decisions that lead us away from the narrow path (James 1:14-15). But as God's beloved children, we have the privilege of seeking His guidance and experiencing the miracles of His presence. peace, and provision.

LIVING IT OUT

Many Christians have regrets about choices they made in the past. Ask God to give you opportunities to offer perspective and encouragement to someone struggling with regret.

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               DAILY BIBLE READING

  Monday: The Curse of Sin. Genesis 3:8-19

                   Tuesday: Rely Soley on God. 2 Chronicles 16:7-14

                                      Wednesday: God's Great Faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22-26

                           Thursday:  You Reap What You Sow. Galatians 6:7-9

    Friday. God's Promises. 2 Timothy 2:11-13

       Saturday. Heed God's Word, Hebrews 2:1-4

Gospel Publishing House. 1445 N. Boonville Ave. Springfield, Missouri 65802 Volume 107 Number 1. Sep. Oct. Nov 2025