Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

The kings beyond the Jordan River, from the hill country and the lowlands, and all along the coast of the great sea opposite Lebanon - Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites - heard about the Israelites' victory over Jericho and Ai. They gathered their forces to fight against Joshua and Israel as one.

When the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to these cities, they devised a cunning plan. They went to Joshua at Gilgal with old wineskins, worn-out sacks on their donkeys, stale bread, and tattered clothing. "We come from a distant land," they said. "Make a league with us."

But the men of Israel saw through their deception. The Hivites were pretending to be ambassadors, carrying old sacks and wine bottles that had been resealed. They wore old shoes and worn-out sandals on their feet, and their clothes were in tatters. All their bread was stale and moldy.

The men of Israel asked the Hivites, "Perhaps you live among us? How can we make a treaty with you?" The Hivites replied, "We are your servants." Joshua asked them, "Who are you and where do you come from?"

"We have come from a far country," they said. "Our people sent us because of the name of the Lord your God. We've heard about his fame in Egypt and all he did to the two Amorite kings who lived beyond Jordan - Sihon king of Heshbon and Og king of Bashan, at Ashtaroth."

The men took food from their homes when they left for Israel, but now it was stale and moldy. Their wine bottles were new, but had been torn and resealed. Their clothes and shoes were old from the long journey.

Joshua made peace with them and entered into a covenant to let them live. The leaders of the community swore an oath to them. But three days later, it became clear that these Hivites lived among the Israelites all along.

The children of Israel journeyed to their cities on the third day - Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath Jearim. They didn't attack the cities because the leaders had sworn an oath to them by the Lord God of Israel. The people murmured against the leaders.

The princes said, "We have sworn to them by the LORD God of Israel. Now we can't touch them." We will let them live, lest wrath be upon us because of the oath we swore to them. The princes decided that they would be hewers of wood and drawers of water for all the congregation, just as they had promised.

Joshua confronted the Hivites: "You deceived us by saying you were far from us when in fact you live among us." He cursed them, declaring that none of them would be freed from being bondmen - hewers of wood and drawers of water - for the house of God. The Hivites had been afraid of their lives because they knew about the Lord's command to Moses to give them all the land and destroy its inhabitants.

The people pleaded with Joshua, "Do to us as it seems good and right in your sight." He did indeed spare them from the Israelites' hands, delivering them from certain death. Joshua made them hewers of wood and drawers of water for the community and for the altar of the Lord, serving in the place he chose. They continue this task to this day.