SCRIPTURE: JOSHUA 9
THE GIBEONITE DECEPTION (vs. 1-27)
All the kings from the west – the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hittites and Jebusites came together to make war against Joshua and Israel. But the people of Gibeon deceived the Israelites by pretending that they came from a distant country to make a treaty with them because they had heard reports about what their God had done to them in Egypt and to the Sihon, king of Heshbon and Oz, King of Bashan.
The elders of Israelites did not inquire from the Lord and made a peace treaty with them in oath. When the people discovered that they are neighbors, Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and questioned their deception. They told Joshua the reason they did this was because they feared their lives. And they were willing to be their servants. So, Israelites made Gibeonites woodcutter and water carriers for the community and for the altar of the Lord.
THOUGHTS:
Canaan was divided into many little nations with key cities as their centers. They usually fought with each other but when the Israelites arrived, they united together to oppose Israel. This was how the enemies continue to go against God.
The people at Gibeon use deceit instead of force. They dressed themselves with old sacks patched sleeves and molded foods to appear that they had been on a long journey in order to get a covenant with Israel knowing that they would keep it. Joshua judged them by appearance and made a treaty with them without seeking God’s will. When they discovered that they were from Gibeon, they could not attack them. Instead, they made them served as woodcutter and water drawer.
Beware of Satan who is both a liar and a serpent. He would appear like an angel and deceive God’s people into making an alliance with him. We must be constantly on guard and avoid judging after the flesh and depending on our own wisdom.
Stan’s usually used victory to begin his subtle attacks. It was after the victory at Jericho that Israel was defeated by Ai. And it was after Israel’s defeat of Ai that Joshua was deceived by Gibeonites. Therefore, in victory that we have, we must always seek the Lord for His guidance. We must communicate with Him daily so that He can give us strength to endure pressures and wisdom to see through trickery.