Tricked Into Believing The Enemy

Joshua 9:1–15
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As we begin chapter nine the people had just returned to their headquarters in Gilgal after hearing the Word of God read to them from Mount Ebal. It was a time of real spiritual victory, but as is often the case it was also a time for a subtle attack from Satan. When we think we have it made it is then we are the most vulnerable to the enemy’s attack.

Located in the hill country six miles northwest of Jerusalem was Gibeon. They, along with three other neighboring towns, were convinced they could never defeat Israel in battle, so they formed an alliance. After consultation they came up with an ingenious plan to send emissaries to Joshua, disguised as weary and worn travelers from a far country. They put on garments that were dirty and torn, their food was dry and moldy, and their sandals were worn thin (vv. 4-6).

When they arrived at Gilgal, they told Joshua that they had come from a far country and wanted to make a peace treaty. Evidently, they were aware of the provisions in the Mosaic Law that permitted Israel to make peace with distant cities but requiring them to destroy cities of the nearby Canaanite nations (Deuteronomy 20:10-15). Caught off guard by the cunning strategy of these Gibeonites, the leaders of Israel signed a treaty with them. In doing so, Joshua and the Israelites made two tragic mistakes. First, they accepted for evidence things that were highly questionable. Second, their biggest mistake was their failure to seek direction from God (vv. 15-16).

Application

I need to always seek the Lord before entering into any type of agreement on my own. People may try to get me to do things that only benefit them. To guard against these pressures, I must rely on God and communicate daily with Him. I need His strength to endure the pressures of life.