But when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to deception to save themselves. They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with weathered saddlebags and old, patched wineskins. They put on worn-out, patched sandals and ragged clothes. And the bread they took with them was dry and moldy. When they arrived at the camp of Israel at Gilgal, they told Joshua and the men of Israel, "We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us." The Israelites replied to these Hivites, "How do we know you don't live nearby? For if you do, we cannot make a treaty with you." They replied, "We are your servants." "But who are you?" Joshua demanded. "Where do you come from?" They answered, "Your servants have come from a very distant country. We have heard of the might of the LORD your God and of all He did in Egypt. We have also heard what He did to the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River—King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan (who lived in Ashtaroth). So our elders and all our people instructed us, 'Take supplies for a long journey. Go meet with the people of Israel and tell them, "We are your servants; please make a treaty with us."' "This bread was hot from the ovens when we left our homes. But now, as you can see, it is dry and moldy. These wineskins were new when we filled them, but now they are old and split open. And our clothing and sandals are worn out from our very long journey." (Joshua 9:3-13 NLT)
The Israelites are moving into the promised land. God commanded them to wipe out all the people in this land because of their wickedness. They were going to receive justice at the hand of God and His army. This frightened the people of Gibeon. They knew they were next. Their armies weren't big enough to fight God's army. They only had one play left: deception.
Have you ever tried to deceive God? It doesn't sound like a very optimistic plan. Think about it. God really does know everything. It's not like it would be easy, or even possible, to pull the wool over His eyes. But, that was their best shot. They took it. How did God's army respond?
So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the LORD. Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath. (Joshua 9:14-15 NLT)
Walking with God really is easier than we realize. All we need to do is understand what God wants, then do it. God cannot be overpowered. God cannot be deceived. God's plan is perfect. It keeps in mind all the options, alternatives, and situations that will arise. That means we have but one job to do before we take any steps. Consult the LORD. Had Joshua done this, he wouldn't have been deceived. But he was. He made an oath he shouldn't have. Now, he has regret and a constant reminder of His failure as a leader.
So Joshua did not allow the people of Israel to kill them. But that day he made the Gibeonites the woodcutters and water carriers for the community of Israel and for the altar of the LORD—wherever the LORD would choose to build it. And that is what they do to this day. (Joshua 9:26-27 NLT)
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