The Gibeonites, inhabitants of a significant city in what would become the land of Benjamin, deceived Joshua and the Israelites by misrepresenting themselves to secure a covenant of peace. Israel's leaders, failing to verify the Gibeonites' claims or seek God's counsel, entered into an oath that bound them to protect the Gibeonites, even after discovering the deception. Fearing God's wrath for breaking the agreement, the Israelites made the Gibeonites slaves, tasked with cutting wood and carrying water, a role that left them without hope of freedom. This arrangement spared their lives but severely limited their existence. The Gibeonites' subterfuge succeeded due to Israel's neglect in consulting God, despite knowing His overall will to drive out the inhabitants of the land. This failure, even by a faithful leader like Joshua, marked a low point and set a damaging precedent. Over time, the Gibeonites' influence, though they were mere servants, contributed to idolatry and helped topple the nation. Their presence became an exception to God's command to eliminate the Canaanites, a deviation that bore bitter fruit after Joshua's death as Israel abandoned the conquest and chose to enslave rather than expel other peoples. Later, the Gibeonites played a role in a tragic event during Saul's reign, when he massacred some of them in a misguided attempt to fulfill God's will without seeking His guidance. This act led to a severe famine under David's rule, which David addressed by appeasing the Gibeonites through the execution of Saul's descendants, contrary to God's law. The Gibeonites' initial deception and Israel's repeated failure to seek God's direction created a corrosive precedent, ensnaring the nation in spiritual stumbling blocks and resulting in responses driven by self-interest and bloodshed.

The life and leadership of Joshua provide a powerful metaphor for the Christian journey following baptism, a precarious path marked by spiritual warfare, growth, and trust in God. Reflecting on parallels between Israel's conquest of Canaan and the believer's pursuit of sanctification, the speaker explores how Almighty God guides, corrects, and empowers His People. Some key themes of this message, consists of 1) Joshua as a type of Christ- Joshua, by leading God's people into the Promised Land, symbolizes Christ leading believers into spiritual maturity. Joshua's successes and failures highlight the human side of leadership and the need for divine guidance. 2) Leadership Lessons from Joshua 9: Joshua's tragic mistake with the Gibeonites demonstrates how even faithful leaders can be deceived if they fail to seek God's counsel. This sermon draws four enduring lessons about the fallibility of church leadership and the long-term impact of poor decisions. 3) Miracles as metaphors: the crossing of the Jordan, the fall of Jericho, the hailstorm at Gibeon, and the sun standing still each intervention of Almighty God, each demonstrate that A) God confirms and empowers leadership. B) Obedience brings victory. C) God fights for His people. D) God answers prayer in extraordinary ways. 4) Divine Judgment and Mercy: God's destruction of the Amorites was just and long-delayed, rather than arbitrary. 5) Prayer and Provision - Joshua's bold request for extended for extended daylight illustrates God's willingness to respond to faithful prayer- for the light of truth, wisdom , strength , and time. As God fulfilled every promise to Israel ( Joshua 21). He will fulfill His promise to us, the Israel of God.