As Israel emerges fresh from a spiritual high after the renewal of their covenant with God, she runs smack dab into a wall, a wall she herself has constructed out of folly.

             I.  Miss the Warning Signs (vv. 1-6) Israel misses some obvious signs. First, if this group of Gibeonites came from a far country, why would they need a treaty?  Second, perhaps the great distance the Gibeonites traveled to reach Israel may have lured the men of Israel into a false sense of pride.  Third, the only credentials Gibeon brings with her are moldy bread, patched wineskins, ragged clothes, and worn-out sandals.  Israel accepted as evidence things which were highly questionable.

         II.  Settle for Surface Answers (vv. 7-13) The men of Israel ask only two general questions. No further probing by Israel or Joshua is made with regard to this nation that wants to make covenant with them.  Israel is about to sign on the dotted line without even reading the fine print.

      III.  Leave God Out of It (v. 14) Israel checks out the provisions carelessly “but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.”

        IV.  Now Make the Choice (9:15) Their poor choice occurs in triplicate form.  First, Joshua makes peace with Gibeon, a godless, pagan nation.  Second, Joshua makes covenant with them, a violation of God’s law to Israel.  And third, the rulers swore an oath which they will live to regret before the congregation of Israel.  

Conclusion:

Despite the foolishness of their poor decision, Joshua and the Israelites respond correctly to the consequences. They keep their end of the deal with Gibeon by upholding the covenant they made (vv. 16-19). Natural consequences must usually run their course, but the grace of God is there to forgive and sometimes overrule! We all make mistakes, we all make poor decisions and we all make wrong choices.  Thank God for His forgiveness and patience with us.