JURIDICAL IMPLICATIONS OF ISRAEL AND GIBEONITES’ TREATY IN JOSHUA 9:3-27: HONOURING ONE’S PROMISE

Abstract

Concluding a treaty should lead to the realization of the existence of God as the absolute Being to whom all vows and promises are made. It should also promote human values, especially faithfulness, and trust. However, this goal is farfetched. Nowadays, it remains difficult to know which principles and values humanity still holds on to because of the constant breaking of vows and promises. The Gibeonites’ ruse shows human deception to honor its promises, and this endangers human society and its values. The failure to honor the promises threatens human society, for it brings about a lack of confidence and trust. Joshua’s faithfulness to the treaty calls for human faithfulness to its life commitment that promotes human and divine values. Faithfulness to treaties leads to the finding and confirmation of God’s perpetual presence and actions in human life. The paper calls on humanity to honor its promises and vows as a way of building a better human society grounded in faithfulness and confidence.