March 15, 2025
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Reading along with us in Joshua and Timothy? Here’s today’s reading:
Joshua 9 (NIV)
The Gibeonite Deception
1 Now when all the kings west of the Jordan heard about these things—the kings in the hill country, in the western foothills, and along the entire coast of the Mediterranean Sea as far as Lebanon (the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites)— 2 they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel.……Continue Reading
Joshua 9
A relationship with God and victories from God causes opposition in this world. How important to seek him daily and ask for wisdom as trivial things like making a treaty with this nation seemed harmless. When God had already warned the Israelites not to. Remember daily to ask God to see through trickery
The gibeonites strategy to receive favor from the Israelites and protect themselves against destruction was one of deception. Since Joshua and the leadership did not seek God but rather relied on their own knowledge, the plan worked. They were tricked into a treaty only to find out they were actually from Canaan. Joshua certainly did the best with a bad situation and made them servants, however, their response to this punishment was humility and appreciation. Ultimately, the Gibeonites recognized the God that they were dealing with and rather be a servant to Him than try to fight against Him. We all come to Jesus in our own ways, with our own past, and our own issues but God accepts us all. He shows undeserved mercy to us all and for that I will be forever grateful!
Joshua 9
Joshua 9, sets historical basis for Israel’s future obligations to the Gibeonites. True, there was deception, but men made an oath, and Israel would keep it.
The Israelites in Gilgal went ahead and made a sworn oath with the Gibeonites believing them to be from far away. Having heard the truth 3 days after making that oath, the Israelites realized they had been deceived. However, Israel stands by their promise of allowing them to stay.
Vs 14… Israelites didn’t go to God for help in this decision. Would’ve been a different outcome had they done so. The application learned here is to confer with our God (not ourselves) in decision making. He makes the best decisions for us if we just put our trust in Him.
This just goes to show how important it is to have God`s counsel in our daily lives. To not make decisions on our own human understanding without God`s counsel. The deception seemed to be true because of the way it was made to appear. Logically it seemed to be true. Israel did not have all the facts and only went by on what they saw. If they had sought the Lord`s wisdom, God would have revealed the truth. May we be in touch with what tells us through the Holy Spirit and His word.
Joshua 9
”Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.“
Joshua 9:14 NKJV
I can’t help but think about the deceptions we are currently experiencing that it is taboo to mention. Giving special protected status to Venezuelans, only to allow vicious gang members murder and r*pe and take over whole apartment complexes in CO. The compassion of Americans is being taken advantage of and used for evil purposes. Now we have judges trying to bring these gang members back! Why? Huh? I feel duped like Joshua.
Trick me once shame on you. Trick me twice shame on me.
Be wise as serpents and meek as doves is what Jesus tells us, always aware of deception that can come our way. How easy it is for us to trust in our own assessment of things, or simply take people at their word (not that we should become cynical either) and then not ask God His opinion or seek His direction. It all makes sense until it doesn’t. This is especially true in Joshua’s case where God has been leading him all the way. And yet it is right for them to honor their commitment but also accept the words that the Gibeonites themselves said, we are your servants. And that is what they became.