9. THE BOOK OF JOSHUA.

ISRAEL DECEIVED

GUILE OF GIBEON.

Here, we notice in this passage, the wiles of Satan. His schemes to deceive Joshua and the leaders of Israel.

Joshua Chapter 9.

The Gibeonites,

Israel’s forbidden enemies decided that they could not stand against the Power of the Israelite people. So they resorted to deception. They dressed themselves in dirty, old, worn-out clothes and shoes to present themselves as travellers from a distant land.

Their bread was old and mouldy, and their food inedible.
They were actually their ‘Next door’ neighbours! Living only three days’ journey away (15 miles).

They claimed, “We have come from a very fa-a-ar country, because of the name of JEHOVAH your GOD.”

“We have heard the fame of Him and all that He did in Egypt, so make a Covenant with us.

The Gibeonites were so clever and so convincing was their disguise, so reasonable the story, so reverent toward God, and so pitiful their plight that:

ISRAEL’S COMPASSION OVERFLOWED.

Being Canaanites, they were under a curse, so Israel should not befriend or make a Covenant with them.
Their actions were to emotionally blackmail Israel into deceiving them. Yet Israel already knew that God had commanded against such an alliance. The command from God was precise.

He said to Israel that there were to be no deviations from His commandments. Deviation was disobedience.

Have you been deceived like that?

We should not judge someone based on their appearance, but take the time to get to know their heart.

Then read the Word of God for His wisdom and discernment for the next steps

There are just some people you cannot trust!

Satan is an Angel of Light.

He seduced Eve! He deceived Jacob! And now a whole nation!

So Israel made an emotional decision that had far-reaching consequences for both Israel and the Gibeonites.

It only took three days for the trickery to be exposed. The most significant aspect of this incident is that no one sought counsel from the Lord.

“No one said to the Lord…“What do you think about these people? What do you want us to do with them?”

Actually, as I previously said, God had already told them,

“DO NOT MINGLE WITH THEM, OR YOU WILL INTERMARRY WITH THEM, OR THEY WILL TURN YOUR HEARTS AWAY FROM THE LORD YOUR GOD.”

Today, we can access the POWER of the HOLY SPIRIT against the giants of the demons of destruction. Also, we claim the BLOOD OF JESUS over the evil one. Then speak the word of our TESTIMONY to defeat him, even unto death.

See Revelation 12:11.

You need not be deceived. Seek the ‘Guidance‘ of God to understand what the evil one is capable of doing.
One of Satan’s weapons is… compromise, amongst others.

Christian, you also are warned not to be unequally joined in a relationship with an unbeliever. That means in friendships, marriages, and business deals. Light cannot dwell with darkness, and Satan cannot partner with Jesus.

We need to know that Satan’s subtle wiles are more dangerous than his open attacks.

He is ‘more dangerous’ as an “Angel of Light” than a “Roaring Lion.” We must resist him in THE NAME OF JESUS!