Joshua 9:20 – This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that God’s wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them.
Extended Explanation of the Verse
Joshua 9:20 captures the decision of the Israelite leaders to uphold their oath to the Gibeonites, despite the deception involved. After realizing they had been tricked into making a treaty, the leaders decided not to break their promise to let the Gibeonites live. They understood that breaking an oath made in the name of the Lord would bring God’s wrath upon them. The leaders chose to honor their word, even though it was made under false pretenses, to avoid dishonoring God and bringing judgment upon themselves. This verse highlights the importance of faithfulness and the consequences of violating vows made before God.
Historical Context
The historical context of this verse is during Israel’s conquest of Canaan, where God instructed them to drive out the local nations due to their idolatry and wickedness. The Gibeonites, aware of the threat, deceived the Israelites by pretending to be from a distant land and securing a peace treaty. When the truth came out, the Israelites were in a bind—they had sworn an oath to protect the Gibeonites. Breaking this oath would not only violate their integrity but also bring God’s anger, as God takes promises made in His name seriously. The leaders chose to let the Gibeonites live, upholding their commitment and recognizing the spiritual consequences of breaking their vow.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse underscores the gravity of making vows, especially those made in God’s name. It teaches that God values integrity and expects His people to keep their promises, even when circumstances change. The leaders’ decision to honor their oath reflects the importance of fearing God more than seeking to correct a mistake by human means. This verse serves as a reminder that God’s standards of faithfulness are not dependent on the conditions under which a promise was made but on the character of the one who made the promise.
Literary Analysis
Literarily, Joshua 9:20 highlights a critical moment of decision-making for the Israelite leaders. The verse uses direct speech to capture the leaders’ reasoning, emphasizing their desire to avoid God’s wrath by keeping their word. The phrase “so that God’s wrath will not fall on us” underscores the seriousness with which they viewed their oath, showing that the consequences of breaking it were far more significant than dealing with the Gibeonites’ deception. This moment adds weight to the narrative, illustrating the tension between human error and the divine expectation of faithfulness.
Biblical Cross-References
Relevant cross-references include Numbers 30:2, which emphasizes that a person who makes a vow to the Lord must not break their word, reflecting the binding nature of oaths made before God. Another is Ecclesiastes 5:4-5, which warns that it is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it, highlighting the importance God places on integrity and the keeping of promises. These verses reinforce the theme of faithfulness and the high value God places on truthfulness.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christian, Joshua 9:20 serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of keeping one’s word, especially when it involves commitments made before God. It teaches that integrity matters deeply to God and that He expects His people to honor their promises, even when it is difficult. This verse challenges Christians to think carefully before making commitments and to seek God’s guidance in their decision-making. It also reminds believers that God is more concerned with our faithfulness to our word than with finding ways to undo mistakes.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse relates to a loving God who values integrity and wants His people to reflect His own faithfulness. God’s love is evident in His desire for His people to keep their promises, as this reflects His unchanging nature. Even when the Israelites made a poor decision, God’s love provided a way for them to honor their word and avoid His wrath. This verse shows that God’s love includes guiding His people through their mistakes and teaching them the importance of faithfulness, even when it is costly.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Joshua 9:20 connects to Jesus Christ by highlighting the importance of truth and faithfulness—qualities perfectly embodied by Christ. Jesus taught His followers to let their “yes” be “yes” and their “no” be “no” (Matthew 5:37), emphasizing the value of honesty and integrity. Jesus is the ultimate example of keeping promises, fulfilling God’s commitment to save humanity through His life, death, and resurrection. Christ’s faithfulness to God’s plan, even when it led to the cross, inspires believers to honor their own commitments and to trust in God’s unchanging faithfulness.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you had to honor a difficult commitment? How did you respond?
- How does this verse challenge you to take your promises seriously, especially those made before God?
- What steps can you take to ensure you seek God’s guidance before making important decisions or commitments?
- How can you reflect God’s faithfulness and integrity in your own life, even when it is challenging?
- In what ways does Jesus’ example of truth and commitment inspire you to honor your word, even when circumstances change?