“When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they acted with cunning and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. All their provisions were dry and crumbly. They went to Joshua and said.., ‘We have come from a distant country, now make a covenant with us.‘ But the men of Israel said, ‘Perhaps you live among us; how can we make a covenant with you?’ They said, ‘We are your servants.’ Joshua said, ‘Who are you? Where do you come from?’ They said, ‘From a very distant country.., because of the name of the Lord your God. For we have heard a report of all that he did… So our elders… said, “Take provisions… and go say, ‘We are your servants. Come, make a covenant with us.’” Our bread… was still warm when we took it from our houses… These wineskins were new… And these garments and sandals are worn from the journey.’ The men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. Joshua made peace with them and a covenant to let them live…
“Three days after.., they heard that they were neighbors… The leaders said.. ‘We have sworn to them by the Lord, and now we may not touch them.'” Joshua 9:3-9,11-16,19
Joshua had recently renewed Israel’s covenant with God, reading aloud His Law. Focused and freshly committed to obedience, Joshua led and the priests blessed the people. Enter the Gibeonites with crafty wiles to challenge their allegiance by tricking their perception and appealing to their senses. Joshua’s detailed description demonstrates how ‘carefully’ he considered their request, yet he neglected to consult his Lord. Like in Eden, the enemy’s physical appearance betrayed his sinister plot. The attack came unexpectedly and convincingly, deluding the victims, causing dire and lasting consequence. (Genesis 3:1-7,16-18,24; Joshua 9:26-27; 15:63; Judges 1:21)
We are created with perception and agency, so we process and make decisions throughout our days based on input and observation. Argument, persuasion, and illustration can undermine reason. In the flesh, we like to be served, succumb to flattery, are easily swayed by agreeable circumstances and apparent providence, and are driven by desire and ease.
Yet we must always beware the lurking enemy who keenly crafts deceptions to undo us. He catches us on emotional highs, settled comfortable places, or in the glow of success. He needles at commitment and resolve with attractive lies. He appeals to the situation at hand and our wont to control, he strokes ego, and offers to benefit. He is the master of making wrong look right and lies sound like truth. (Isaiah 5:20; John 8:44; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Timothy 3:12-17; 1 Peter 5:8)
How do we prepare for the devil’s deception? How regularly do we return to the mind of Christ? How carefully do we discern and confirm with the Lord before making decisions? Would we begin our days immersed in His Word, on our knees surrendering our activity, renewing our minds, and determining to obey? A mindset aligned with the Lord’s clears vision, shapes compulsion, and receives God’s gracious redemption when we fail. (Proverbs 3:5-6; Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 2:16; James 1:5)
Father, grant clear eyes and thought in all my dealings so every decision situates with truth and honors You.
As the rain and snow 