1 約旦河西，住山地、高原，並對着黎巴嫩山沿大海一帶的諸王，就是赫人、亞摩利人、迦南人、比利洗人、希未人、耶布斯人的諸王，聽見這事， 2就都聚集，同心合意地要與約書亞和以色列人爭戰。
3 基遍的居民聽見約書亞向耶利哥和艾城所行的事， 4就設詭計，假充使者，拿舊口袋和破裂縫補的舊皮酒袋馱在驢上， 5將補過的舊鞋穿在腳上，把舊衣服穿在身上；他們所帶的餅都是乾的，長了霉了。 6他們到吉甲營中見約書亞，對他和以色列人說：「我們是從遠方來的，現在求你與我們立約。」 7以色列人對這些希未人說：「只怕你們是住在我們中間的；若是這樣，怎能和你們立約呢？」 8他們對約書亞說：「我們是你的僕人。」約書亞問他們說：「你們是甚麼人？是從哪裏來的？」 9他們回答說：「僕人從極遠之地而來，是因聽見耶和華－你神的名聲和他在埃及所行的一切事， 10並他向約旦河東的兩個亞摩利王，就是希實本王西宏和在亞斯他錄的巴珊王噩一切所行的事。 11我們的長老和我們那地的一切居民對我們說：『你們手裏要帶着路上用的食物去迎接以色列人，對他們說：我們是你們的僕人；現在求你們與我們立約。』 12我們出來要往你們這裏來的日子，從家裏帶出來的這餅還是熱的；看哪，現在都乾了，長了霉了。 13這皮酒袋，我們盛酒的時候還是新的；看哪，現在已經破裂。我們這衣服和鞋，因為道路甚遠，也都穿舊了。」 14以色列人受了他們些食物，並沒有求問耶和華。 15於是約書亞與他們講和，與他們立約，容他們活着；會眾的首領也向他們起誓。
16 以色列人與他們立約之後，過了三天才聽見他們是近鄰，住在以色列人中間的。 17以色列人起行，第三天到了他們的城邑，就是基遍、基非拉、比錄、基列‧耶琳。 18因為會眾的首領已經指着耶和華－以色列的神向他們起誓，所以以色列人不擊殺他們；全會眾就向首領發怨言。 19眾首領對全會眾說：「我們已經指着耶和華－以色列的神向他們起誓，現在我們不能害他們。 20我們要如此待他們，容他們活着，免得有忿怒因我們所起的誓臨到我們身上。」 21首領又對會眾說：「要容他們活着。」於是他們為全會眾作了劈柴挑水的人，正如首領對他們所說的話。
22 約書亞召了他們來，對他們說：「為甚麼欺哄我們說『我們離你們甚遠』呢？其實你們是住在我們中間。 23現在你們是被咒詛的！你們中間的人必斷不了作奴僕，為我神的殿作劈柴挑水的人。」 24他們回答約書亞說：「因為有人實在告訴你的僕人，耶和華－你的神曾吩咐他的僕人摩西，把這全地賜給你們，並在你們面前滅絕這地的一切居民，所以我們為你們的緣故甚怕喪命，就行了這事。 25現在我們在你手中，你以怎樣待我們為善為正，就怎樣做吧！」 26於是約書亞這樣待他們，救他們脫離以色列人的手，以色列人就沒有殺他們。 27當日約書亞使他們在耶和華所要選擇的地方，為會眾和耶和華的壇作劈柴挑水的人，直到今日。
各位弟兄姊妹平安，今天我們讀到《約書亞記》第九章，故事越來越精彩了。在這一段經文中，我們看到以色列民族進入迦南地後聲名大噪。他們先後拿下了耶利哥城和艾城，這個消息迅速傳遍了迦南地各族之間，引起了極大的震動。
首先我們看到，有六族聯軍組成聯盟，想要共同對抗以色列人。他們是赫人、亞摩利人、迦南人、比利洗人、希未人和耶布斯人（這些民族的諸王）。同樣，這幾個民族在《申命記》第20章中也有提到。這段經文表明，上帝定意要將他們趕出迦南地，因為他們的風俗敗壞，與上帝的聖潔標準相悖。
上帝的命令是為了保護以色列人，避免他們與這些民族有文化上的往來或受到影響，因此祂命令以色列人徹底趕走或滅絕這些民族。（參考《申命記》20章）
基遍人的計謀與盟約的屬靈意義
在這一段故事中，我們看到基遍人非常清楚以色列神的威嚴與能力。他們可能對以色列的神有一定程度的認識，明白自己的情況已經岌岌可危。基遍位於耶路撒冷以北，離以色列人的駐地不遠，屬於迦南地的其中一族，而且他們其實並不是弱小的一族，在第十章我們看到基遍人得城池比艾城更大，裡面的人民也都是勇士。而他們對現況有一個清楚的認識，知道以色列的上帝一直在幫助他們，在這生死存亡的關頭，他們決定以計謀向以色列人投降以求保命。
基遍人的計謀
基遍人裝扮成來自遙遠之地的旅人，穿著破舊的衣服，攜帶乾裂的麵包和破爛的酒袋，試圖說服以色列人他們並非本地居民。他們聲稱是因敬畏以色列的神而遠道而來，希望能與以色列人立約。
以色列人看到他們的裝扮，以為他們的話屬實，於是與他們立約，答應不傷害他們。然而，很快以色列人便發現基遍人其實是住在附近的鄰國，屬於迦南地的一部分。此時雖然真相大白，但基於立約的承諾，以色列人無法毀約，只能遵守諾言，保留基遍人的性命。
與基遍人立約的影響
申命記的宣戰條例
《申命記》20章10節提到，攻打一座城之前，應先對城中的居民宣告和睦之言。如果對方願意求和，就應接受他們的降服，並讓他們成為服事者。基遍人利用了這一律法條例，成功與以色列人締結盟約，成為他們的僕役，世世代代服侍以色列人。
基遍人的服侍角色
在《撒母耳記上》第7章中也再次提到基遍人。他們在基列‧耶琳保存了約櫃長達20年。這是在非利士人奪走約櫃造成災難後，基遍人承擔了保護約櫃的責任，直到大衛時代將約櫃迎回耶路撒冷。
世世代代的盟約
基遍人與以色列人立的盟約，對後來的歷史產生了深遠影響。在《撒母耳記下》21章2節中提到，掃羅王及其家族曾因殺害基遍人犯下流血罪，違背了當初立約的承諾，導致上帝的懲罰臨到以色列全地。這提醒我們，人可能會忘記承諾，但上帝卻不會忘記。基遍人在當時仍然表示自己是以色列人的僕人，但流血罪依然需要被清算。
屬靈的反思
誠實與敬畏的重要性
基遍人的行動雖然是出於自保的計謀，但他們的選擇也顯示了對以色列神的敬畏。他們願意放下自我，成為僕人，以換取性命。這教導我們，敬畏上帝是蒙恩的第一步。這又是一次外邦人因為悔改蒙恩得救的故事。
信守承諾的價值
即便是被基遍人欺騙，以色列人仍遵守了立約的承諾，這彰顯了上帝的百姓應有的誠信。立約的影響跨越世代，提醒我們對上帝與人的約定需持守到底。
上帝主權的彰顯
基遍人原本是該被趕出的迦南民族之一，但因著他們的順服與投降，他們不僅存活下來，還成為以色列歷史的一部分。這體現了上帝的憐憫與主權，祂能將人放在祂的計劃中，無論人的背景或過去如何。
基遍人的故事提醒我們，上帝的計劃往往超越我們的理解。即使在計謀與人的軟弱中，祂仍掌權，成就祂的旨意。讓我們在生活中學習敬畏、順服，並以誠實與信心行在祂的道路上。
感謝各位的聆聽，我們明天繼續看約書亞記第十章的故事。
The Gibeonites Deceive Israel
1Now all the kings west of the Jordan River heard about what had happened. These were the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, who lived in the hill country, in the western foothills, and along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea as far north as the Lebanon mountains. 2These kings combined their armies to fight as one against Joshua and the Israelites.
3But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4they resorted to deception to save themselves. They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with weathered saddlebags and old, patched wineskins. 5They put on worn-out, patched sandals and ragged clothes. And the bread they took with them was dry and moldy. 6When they arrived at the camp of Israel at Gilgal, they told Joshua and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us.”
7The Israelites replied to these Hivites, “How do we know you don’t live nearby? For if you do, we cannot make a treaty with you.”
8They replied, “We are your servants.”
“But who are you?” Joshua demanded. “Where do you come from?”
9They answered, “Your servants have come from a very distant country. We have heard of the might of the Lord your God and of all he did in Egypt. 10We have also heard what he did to the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River—King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan (who lived in Ashtaroth). 11So our elders and all our people instructed us, ‘Take supplies for a long journey. Go meet with the people of Israel and tell them, “We are your servants; please make a treaty with us.”’
12“This bread was hot from the ovens when we left our homes. But now, as you can see, it is dry and moldy. 13These wineskins were new when we filled them, but now they are old and split open. And our clothing and sandals are worn out from our very long journey.”
14So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord. 15Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath.
16Three days after making the treaty, they learned that these people actually lived nearby! 17The Israelites set out at once to investigate and reached their towns in three days. The names of these towns were Gibeon, Kephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. 18But the Israelites did not attack the towns, for the Israelite leaders had made a vow to them in the name of the Lord, the God of Israel.
The people of Israel grumbled against their leaders because of the treaty. 19But the leaders replied, “Since we have sworn an oath in the presence of the Lord, the God of Israel, we cannot touch them. 20This is what we must do. We must let them live, for divine anger would come upon us if we broke our oath. 21Let them live.” So they made them woodcutters and water carriers for the entire community, as the Israelite leaders directed.
22Joshua called together the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you lie to us? Why did you say that you live in a distant land when you live right here among us? 23May you be cursed! From now on you will always be servants who cut wood and carry water for the house of my God.”
24They replied, “We did it because we—your servants—were clearly told that the Lord your God commanded his servant Moses to give you this entire land and to destroy all the people living in it. So we feared greatly for our lives because of you. That is why we have done this. 25Now we are at your mercy—do to us whatever you think is right.”
26So Joshua did not allow the people of Israel to kill them. 27But that day he made the Gibeonites the woodcutters and water carriers for the community of Israel and for the altar of the Lord—wherever the Lord would choose to build it. And that is what they do to this day.
Brothers and sisters, peace to you all.
Today, we are reading Joshua chapter 9, and the story continues to grow more intriguing. In this passage, we see how the nation of Israel, after entering the land of Canaan, gained a reputation that spread far and wide. They had already conquered Jericho and Ai, and news of these victories sent shockwaves throughout the Canaanite tribes.
We first observe that six nations formed an alliance to resist the Israelites. These were the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (their kings are mentioned in Deuteronomy 20 as well). This passage reveals that God had determined to drive these nations out of Canaan because of their corrupt customs, which were contrary to His holy standards.
God’s command was intended to protect the Israelites from cultural influences that could lead them astray. Therefore, He instructed them to completely drive out or destroy these nations (see Deuteronomy 20).
The Strategy and Spiritual Significance of the Gibeonites’ Treaty
In this story, the Gibeonites clearly understood the majesty and power of Israel’s God. They likely had some knowledge of Him and realized their own precarious situation. Though Gibeon was located just north of Jerusalem and close to the Israelites’ encampment, making them part of the Canaanite region, they decided to use a strategy to surrender and preserve their lives.
The Gibeonites’ Strategy
The Gibeonites disguised themselves as travelers from a distant land. They wore worn-out clothes, carried dry and cracked bread, and brought old and patched wineskins. They attempted to convince the Israelites that they were not local residents. Claiming they had come from far away out of reverence for Israel’s God, they sought to make a treaty.
The Israelites, seeing their worn-out attire and supplies, believed their story and made a covenant with them, promising not to harm them. However, the Israelites soon discovered that the Gibeonites were actually their nearby neighbors within the land of Canaan. Despite this revelation, the Israelites could not break their oath due to the covenant they had made, and they spared the lives of the Gibeonites.
The Impact of the Treaty with the Gibeonites
Deuteronomy’s Rules for Warfare
Deuteronomy 20:10 specifies that before attacking a city, the Israelites should first offer terms of peace. If the inhabitants accept and surrender, they are to serve the Israelites. The Gibeonites took advantage of this provision and successfully secured a treaty, becoming servants to Israel and serving them for generations.
The Gibeonites’ Role in Service
In 1 Samuel 7, we see the Gibeonites mentioned again. They preserved the Ark of the Covenant in Kiriath Jearim for 20 years. This responsibility arose after the Philistines captured the Ark and caused devastation, eventually returning it. The Ark remained with the Gibeonites until King David moved it to Jerusalem.
A Lasting Covenant Across Generations
The treaty with the Gibeonites had long-term effects. In 2 Samuel 21:2, we learn that King Saul violated the treaty by killing Gibeonites, committing a bloodshed that angered God and brought punishment upon Israel. This reminds us that humans may forget their promises, but God does not. Even generations later, the Gibeonites declared their continued service to Israel, but the sin of murder still required atonement.
Spiritual Reflections
The Importance of Honesty and Reverence
While the Gibeonites’ strategy was driven by self-preservation, their choice demonstrated reverence for Israel’s God. They humbled themselves and became servants to ensure survival. This teaches us that reverence for God is the first step toward receiving His grace. This is another example of Gentiles receiving salvation through repentance.
The Value of Keeping Promises
Even though the Israelites were deceived, they honored their covenant with the Gibeonites, demonstrating the integrity expected of God’s people. The enduring impact of the treaty reminds us of the importance of honoring our commitments to God and others.
The Sovereignty of God
Though the Gibeonites were one of the Canaanite nations destined for expulsion, their surrender and humility allowed them to become part of Israel’s history. This showcases God’s mercy and sovereignty. He can include anyone in His plan, regardless of their background or past.
The story of the Gibeonites reminds us that God’s plans often transcend human understanding. Even in the midst of human schemes and weaknesses, He remains in control, accomplishing His purposes. Let us learn to live with reverence, obedience, and integrity, walking faithfully on His path.
Thank you for listening! Tomorrow, we will continue with the story in Joshua chapter 10.
Peace be with you!
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