Mercy and grace are inseparable in the gospel.

Mercy = withholding deserved punishment
Grace = giving something undeserved

Joshua 8:35 (ESV) - There was not a word of all that Moses commanded that Joshua did not read before all the assembly of Israel, and the women, and the little ones, and the sojourners who lived among them.

Joshua 1:7–8 (ESV) - Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

In order to understand the Bible effectively we need to know the whole story. We better understand the specific part of the Bible we are reading by reading other parts of the Bible.

Joshua 9:14–15 (ESV) - So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. 15And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.

God allowed the leaders of Israel to be deceived in order to accomplish a greater plan.

Signs of faith
1. They acknowledged the power of God

2. They knew they were powerless even though they were full of mighty warriors.

3. They knew their only hope was mercy

4. The directed their request to Joshua as the one with authority to grant them mercy

5. They understood their role as servants – word used for owned slaves

Evidence of God’s mercy

1. They weren’t killed

2. They were given a place to serve alongside the tribe of Levi (Joshua 9; 21:13-17)

3. Granted protection by the power of God (Joshua 10)

4. Absorbed into the tribe of Benjamin (Joshua 18:25)

5. Location of the tabernacle during the reign of Saul and David (2 Chronicles 1)

6. Location where Solomon requested wisdom as his gift from God (2 Chronicles 1)

7. David made right the violation of the covenant by Saul (2 Samual 1, 21, 24)

8. Upon return from the Babylonian exile, the Gibeonites were counted among those who could prove Jewish heritage and they helped rebuild the walls of Jerusalem (Nehemiah 3:7; 7:25)

9. There are negative things as well but they were in a sense grafted into the people of Israel.

Evidence of the heart of God in the gospel

1. God showing mercy to a complex sinful people.

2. Jesus established a new covenant by His blood and shows us mercy.

3. Foreshadowing of the Gentiles grafted into the vine.

Joshua 9:20–21 (ESV) - This we will do to them: let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath that we swore to them.” 21And the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” So they became cutters of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, just as the leaders had said of them.

Discussion Questions
1. Can you think of a time you were deceived into something you thought was right but later knew was wrong? Briefly share how you responded? (Also consider some introspection here – How are you tempted at times to deceive others for personal gain?)

2. Read Joshua 9:1-15. What can we learn from Joshua and the leaders of Israel and their handling of the interaction with the Gibeonites? Why do you think God did not stop them or even discipline them for making this covenant?

3. God called Joshua to meditate on His Law day and night (Joshua 1). Joshua believed he made a decision according to the Law (see Deuteronomy 20:10-18). What is the difference between knowing God’s Word and seeking God’s wisdom?

4. The rest of Israel “murmured” against the leaders for putting Israel in this position. The Hebrew word for murmur is also the word used for the grumbling of the Israelites as they wandered the wilderness. In other words, this was more than just a question seeking understanding, there was a heart attitude with it. What is your expectation of leaders in your life? Describe a Christlike attitude toward them when they make mistakes? Does the current “cancel culture” fit in with this Christlike attitude?

5. Discuss the mercy God shows the Gibeonites in this story. What does this tell you about God’s nature and the way He regards the use of His name?