CHILDREN SEARCH LESSON 4, VOL 5 DECEIT OF THE GIBEONITES

Text: Joshua 9:1-27

The Israelites went into battle against Jericho and Ai and conquered them through God’s divine guidance and help. The other kings in the land of Canaan became afraid. They therefore, made a plan and joined forces to fight against the Israelites.
The people of Gibeon also lived in the same area with these kings. They did not join them in their plan to fight the people of God. Instead, they chose to make peace with God’s people. Their decision to make peace was good. This teaches us that we should not join anybody to do evil.

Also, God wants us to live with everyone in peace and holiness so that we will be qualified to see Him on the last day (Hebrews 12:14). However, the way the Gibeonites went about making peace was wrong. They told lies and deceived Joshua and the people of God.
As we look at the decision of the Gibeonites to make peace, there are important lessons to learn from their wrong method of seeking peace. Also, the Israelites’ reaction to the deceitfulness of the Gibeonites has great lessons for us as well.

CANAAN KINGS GATHERED AGAINST GOD’S PEOPLE:
Joshua 9:1-2; Psalm 2:1-3; Ephesians 6:11-13

When all the kings of the various kingdoms that made up Canaan heard of Israel’s victories, they conspired to fight God’s people. On the other hand, the Gibeonites decided to seek peace with the children of Israel. People respond to God’s word and warnings against judgment differently. For example, some make mockery of God’s soon coming judgment like the people in Noah’s time did.

Others stubbornly continue in their sins like the people of Sodom and Gomorrah. While others fight and persecute God’s people like Saul of Tarsus did. There are other people who fear God, become sorrowful for their sins, turn away from them and make peace with God through Jesus Christ like the people of Samaria (Acts 8:5,6).

God’s past judgment on sinners and the coming judgment on all who die in sin, should make you to seek Christ for the salvation of your soul like the people of Nineveh. When you hear His word, harden not your heart like the Canaanite Kings.

Just as the kings gathered against Joshua and the children of Israel, Satan and unbelievers are fighting against Jesus Christ and His friends. This is what is called spiritual warfare.
However, Christ has promised to stand by us and give us victory (Psalm 2:1-5). The righteous should trust in Jesus and be bold as a lion. Also, we must stand firm against all the works of the devil, resist him, and he will flee from us (James 4:7).

THE CAREFUL PLAN OF THE GIBEONITES TO DECEIVE ISRAEL:
Joshua 9:3-15

God commanded Joshua and the people of Israel not to make covenant with the people of Canaan, including the Gibeonites. It was as if the Gibeonites knew this, but they desired to make peace with God’s people. Therefore, they came to Joshua and pretended that they were strangers from a very far country, and the Israelites believed them.

They came in worn out clothes and shoes, carried food items that had gone bad. This deceptive act made them look to Israel as people needing urgent help and care. Their main aim was to escape the battle to take over their land. They do not need to go to that length if they were sincere. They would have explained that they are for peace and ready to serve the God of Israel even as Rahab and her family did. The method that the Gibeonites used in making peace with Israel is a picture of children who try to get salvation through human wisdom, works and deceitful ways.

If you have been attending church services and yet remain in your sin, you are like the Gibeonites who were not accepted as full members of the people of God. Why not repent today? Tell God the bad things you have done. Ask Him to forgive you. Know that Jesus died and rose from death to take away all your sins. Invite Him into your heart and believe that He has answered your prayers.
As a friend of Jesus, you must reject everything in your word, action, relationship with others that has any resemblance to lie or deception.

CONSEQUENCE OF JOSHUA’S COVENANT WITH THE GIBEONITES:
Joshua 9:15-27; Psalm 32:8; 2 Corinthians 6:14-16

The children of Israel believed the story of the Gibeonites, just because of those old items they saw. They did not pray to seek counsel from the Lord concerning the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:14). Joshua made peace with them and the leaders of Israel also promised never to destroy them. Three days later, the people of Israel got to know that the Gibeonites had told them lies. The children of Israel realized that they had made a mistake and they were unhappy.

However, they could not destroy the Gibeonites because of the promise they had made to them.
The consequence of the mistake of Joshua in making peace with the
Gibeonites affected both sides. For Israel, they could not break the promise to the Gibeonites. This means they will not be able to fully obey what God had commanded them to do. They were to wipe out the inhabitants of the land so that they will not be influenced by their idolatrous ways.

On the side of the Gibeonites, when their deception was discovered, they were cursed and became slaves to Israel all through their generations.
As a friend of Jesus, you should not make rash decisions based on what you see or hear. You must pray to God for guidance before you make important decisions in life. For example, the choice of friends, schools to attend, places to visit etc. God desires to guide us in life’s journey.

He will guide, if you pray to Him. He has promised to guide His friends. Psalm 32:8, “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.”
In order to enjoy God’s guidance in life, you need to:

(a) become and remain a permanent friend of Jesus.

(b) live a holy life,

(c) read and obey the word of God

(d) meditate on the word of God

(e) be humble

(f) be in fellowship with friends of Jesus at all times

(g) preach the gospel

(h) make the Bible your best companion

(i) run away from false teachers who are out to deceive innocent children.

If you are not yet a friend of Jesus, remember that Jesus is waiting to save you if you come to Him. Repent now; confess all the bad things you have done to Him. Ask Him to forgive and wash you in His blood.

QUESTIONS:

1. Why did the Canaanite kings plan to fight against the Israelites? _____________________
2. How did the Gibeonites deceive the children of Israel? ____
   ______________________
3. Why did the children of Israel decide to make covenant with the Gibeonites?________ _____________________
4. What important lesson have you learnt about seeking the face of God before making important decisions in life? _______________
   _________________
5. What should a sinful child do to make peace with God?

MEMORY VERSE: “And Joshua called for them, and he spake unto them, saying, Wherefore have ye beguiled us, saying, We are very far from you; when ye dwell among us?” (Joshua 9:22)

LESSON: Lies bring a sinner under the slavery of Satan.

THOUGHT: I will not deceive anyone.

ACTIVITY: Read and compare what Rahab did in Joshua 2:6-13, and what the
Gibeonites did in Joshua 9:3,11 when they heard about the great things which God had done for the Israelites. What should you do when you hear God’s word?

HOMEWORK: Pray for God’s direction in a specific thing that you intend to do.

CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 43 – TRUST AND OBEY

CHORUSES:

(1) I will not be a liar.

(2) I have decided to follow Jesus.

(3) I will never let the devil win the battle.

BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meaning of these words. You can use your dictionary:

1. Deceit

2. Mock

3. Resist

4. Persecute

5. Instruct.