Conflicting Values: When Promises and Purposes Collide

 Lessons of Faith from Joshua - Sabbath School Lesson 2 -  Wednesday Commentary

When Promises and Purposes Collide

Joshua 9:1–20

When word spread of Israel’s victories, the kings of Canaan united to fight—but the Gibeonites chose a different path. Like Rahab, they had heard of the Lord’s mighty acts and feared Him. Both Rahab and the Gibeonites sought deliverance from Israel’s God, but their approaches differed. Rahab came in truth and faith, risking her life openly; the Gibeonites came in deceit, pretending to be from a distant land. Yet, both acknowledged the power of the true God—and both found mercy.

Joshua and the leaders, however, made a critical mistake. They “did not inquire of the Lord” (Joshua 9:14). In doing so, they entered a covenant that God had not intended. When the deception was discovered, Joshua was caught between two moral imperatives: keeping his oath before God or carrying out the command to destroy the Canaanite nations. In honoring his word, Joshua demonstrated integrity, even though the situation was complicated and painful.

The Gibeonites’ deception was not an act of rebellion against God but a desperate effort to find refuge in Him. Though their method was flawed, their faith—like Rahab’s—was recognized. God can work through human imperfection to bring about mercy and redemption. Still, this story reminds us of the cost of failing to seek God’s counsel. Even good intentions can lead us into moral tension when we rely on human reasoning rather than divine direction.

At the heart of this passage lies the struggle between two seemingly conflicting biblical values: truth and faithfulness. Joshua’s integrity in keeping his word mirrors God’s own steadfastness, yet it also reveals how human decisions can complicate divine purposes. In such moments, we are reminded that wisdom begins in humility and dependence on God’s guidance.

Scripture for Reflection:

• Proverbs 3:5–6 — “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”

• Psalm 25:4–5 — “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior.”

• James 1:5 — “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.”

Prayer:
Heavenly Father, teach us to seek Your counsel before we act. When choices seem tangled between right and right, give us wisdom to discern Your perfect will. Help us walk in both truth and faithfulness, reflecting Your character even when our understanding is limited. Thank You for Your mercy, which turns our mistakes into lessons of grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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