Remaining Faithful to Our Words: A Further Lesson from Joshua 9

On Sunday I mentioned that there was one aspect of Joshua 9 I didn’t have time to explore—but it’s an important one, and I said I’d blog about it. So here it is. (I wanted to do what I said I would!)

The story is simple but sobering.

Israel had been deceived. The Gibeonites pretended to be travellers from a distant land, and because the Israelites did not enquire of the LORD, they made a treaty they never should have made. Three days later, the truth came out: the Gibeonites were neighbours living just around the corner.

So what were Israel’s leaders meant to do now?

The Weight of an Oath

When the Israelites discovered the truth, the people were furious. They wanted to attack. But the leaders held firm:

“The people of Israel did not attack them, because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel.” (Joshua 9:18)

Despite being tricked, the leaders refused to break the treaty. Why? Because they had made it in the name of the LORD.

Breaking the agreement - however foolishly it had been made - would dishonour God. So the Gibeonites were spared. Instead, they were assigned a role within Israel’s community: woodcutters and water carriers, serving the congregation and supporting the worship of God. They became part of the life of Israel, even if in a humble capacity.

Their story highlights something we desperately need to recover: Integrity of speech. Faithfulness to our words.

Casual Words, Serious Consequences

If we’re honest, most of us are too casual with our promises. We say we’ll do something… then forget. We give our word… then rethink it. We commit lightly… and break commitments even more lightly.

But in Joshua 9, the leaders show us a better way. They honour their word - even when it costs them.

Jesus Raises the Standard Even Higher

By the time Jesus came, people had developed a clever system that allowed them to appear truthful while dodging real responsibility. They swore by “lesser things” as a way of avoiding binding commitments—heaven, earth, Jerusalem, even their own heads. Each oath carried a different level of obligation.

Jesus exposes it all:

“Do not swear an oath at all… All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No.’” (Matthew 5:33–37)

Jesus refuses to allow us two categories of speech - some words that matter and others that don’t. In his kingdom, every word counts.

If we say yes, it should mean yes. If we say no, it should mean no. No wiggle room. No fine print. No verbal escape clauses.

Our Integrity Reflects God’s Character

Moses describes God this way:

“God is not man, that he should lie… Has he said, and will he not do it?” (Numbers 23:19)

God is utterly faithful. He keeps his word. He does what he says he will do, every time.

And when we keep our word, even at personal cost, we reflect Him.

In a culture of cheap words we have a chance to stand out. To be people whose “yes” is trustworthy. Whose “no” is honest. Whose speech reflects the character of the God we follow.

In Joshua 9, Israel’s leaders stayed faithful to their word—despite deception, frustration, and cost. Jesus calls us to do the same.

May our words carry weight.

May our promises be kept.

And may our integrity point others to the One who never lies.

Questions for Reflection

1. Jesus says, “Let your ‘Yes’ be yes and your ‘No,’ no” (Matthew 5:37) - where in your life are your words drifting from that kind of simple, honest clarity?

2. If anything beyond a simple ‘yes’ or ‘no’ comes from evil (Matthew 5:37), what does that say about why exaggeration, spin, or half-truths are so serious - and where do you see that temptation in yourself?