Use this page to help you follow along with the sermon. When you see this icon below, it’s a place where you can type in notes.
Scripture reading from The Action Bible by Sergio Cariello.
Where in the Story
What is a Covenant?
In its native context a covenant (Hebrew bĕrît) was “an agreement enacted between two parties in which one or both make promises under oath to perform or refrain from certain actions stipulated in advance.” —Epic of Eden by Sandra Richter (Ch 3)
Joshua’s Covenant with Gibeonites
3 But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they resorted to deception to save themselves. They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with weathered saddlebags and old, patched wineskins. 5 They put on worn-out, patched sandals and ragged clothes. And the bread they took with them was dry and moldy. 6 When they arrived at the camp of Israel at Gilgal, they told Joshua and the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us.” —Joshua 9:3–6 (NLT)
14 So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the LORD. 15 Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath. —Joshua 9:14–15 (NLT)
Adoni-zedek, king of Jerusalem, heard that Joshua had captured and completely destroyed Ai and killed its king, just as he had destroyed the town of Jericho and killed its king. He also learned that the Gibeonites had made peace with Israel and were now their allies. 2 He and his people became very afraid when they heard all this because Gibeon was a large town—as large as the royal cities and larger than Ai. And the Gibeonite men were strong warriors.
3 So King Adoni-zedek of Jerusalem sent messengers to several other kings: Hoham of Hebron, Piram of Jarmuth, Japhia of Lachish, and Debir of Eglon. 4 “Come and help me destroy Gibeon,” he urged them, “for they have made peace with Joshua and the people of Israel.” 5 So these five Amorite kings combined their armies for a united attack. They moved all their troops into place and attacked Gibeon.
6 The men of Gibeon quickly sent messengers to Joshua at his camp in Gilgal. “Don’t abandon your servants now!” they pleaded. “Come at once! Save us! Help us! For all the Amorite kings who live in the hill country have joined forces to attack us.”
7 So Joshua and his entire army, including his best warriors, left Gilgal and set out for Gibeon. 8 “Do not be afraid of them,” the LORD said to Joshua, “for I have given you victory over them. Not a single one of them will be able to stand up to you.”
—Joshua 10:1–8 (NLT)
Legan Redeemer
5 Covenants of the Old Testament
- Adam
- Noah
- Abraham
- Moses
- David
Go Beyond the Sermon…
Join our summer Bible Study and go deeper into the Old Testament themes. Click Here to learn more.