In this video listen to Joshua 9 read by David Alley, followed by comments and prayer.

In Joshua 9 we find the third of the mistakes made by the Israelites. First was the taking of the dedicated thing at Jericho, second was presumption in the battle at Ai, and now is the failing to enquire of the Lord, resulting in the deception of the Gibeonites.

The Gibeonites are close to Joshua, yet send a delegation pretending to be from afar, and make a treaty with the Israelites. This treaty ends up saving their lives, and the Israelites grumble against their leaders for having made this deal. This is the only time we see grumbling in Joshua, unlike the previous generation who grumbled regularly against Moses, and in this case the grumbling is justified.

In today’s litigious worlds, the treaty with the Gibeonites would be overturne ...