Yehoshua 9 - Summary
(Text) - Due to Bnei Yisrael’s previous conquering of Yericho and Ai the nation of Givon was scared that they were going to be next to be destroyed. As a result they sent representatives disguised as royal ambassadors to go and create a peace treaty with Yehoshua.The ambassadors lied about their origin, claiming to have come from an eretz rechoka (a far off land). They presented evidence of their worn out clothing and old food and drink supplies. Yehoshua and the leaders of the Bnei Yisrael accepted the treaty without verifying who these people really were.
After the representative’s identity is uncovered, Yehoshua realizes that as a result of the treaty the people of Givon could not be destroyed. Despite having been deceived during their dealing, they had taken a public oath, and thus it would be a chillul Hashem (desecration of God’s name) to go back on this public treaty. As a result of their dishonesty Yehoshua decreed that their descendents would be wood choppers and water carriers, servants to the Jewish alter, forever.
Posted in Chapter 09, Summaries, Yehoshua - Joshua by Etan Bluman & Yaakov Ellis on February 07, 2007 |
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