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Joshua Chapter 9 (ESV)

³ But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, ⁴ they on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, ⁵ with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly. ⁶ And they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant with us.” ⁷ But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live among us; then how can we make a covenant with you?” ⁸ They said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” And Joshua said to them, “Who are you? And where do you come from?” ⁹ They said to him, “From a very distant country your servants have come, because of the name of the Lord your God. For we have heard a report of him, and all that he did in Egypt, ¹⁰ and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon the king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth. ¹¹ So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, ‘Take provisions in your hand for the journey and go to meet them and say to them, “We are your servants. Come now, make a covenant with us.”’ ¹² Here is our bread. It was still warm when we took it from our houses as our food for the journey on the day we set out to come to you, but now, behold, it is dry and crumbly. ¹³ These wineskins were new when we filled them, and behold, they have burst. And these garments and sandals of ours are worn out from the very long journey.” ¹⁴ So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. ¹⁵ And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.

REFLECTION:

• When the people of Gibeon, who lived just a few miles from the Israelite camp, heard about Israel’s conquest of Jericho and Ai, they were afraid. The Gibeonites successfully tricked Joshua and the Israelites into a treaty by presenting moldy bread and sour wine as evidence that they lived outside of Canaan. The Israelites were fooled because they “did not inquire of the LORD” (v. 14).
• Deceit is Satan’s primary strategy. He often seduces us into believing that a lie is truth and evil is good.
• What tricks does Satan use to keep us from seeking God’s guidance? In what areas are we often tempted to make peace with the sinful world?

PRAYER:

Heavenly Father, how dark and deceitful this fallen world is! I see the devil disguised as an angel of light, using various tricks to deceive people, making them believe that ugliness is beauty, lies are truth, and evil is goodness! I look up at the sky and discover impurity hidden within its pure blue. I walk upon the earth and am astonished to find deep chasms appearing on its seemingly flat plains. I admire a pristine lily, only to suddenly perceive cunning concealed within its grace. I am enchanted by the beauty of a rose, yet I can detect the scent of death amidst its delightful fragrance. The entire beautiful world that You have created, Father, has been contaminated by sin. As I further examine the human heart, I lament that I must confront even greater darkness and more deception! How much baseness is done in the name of nobility, how much betrayal is masked as loyalty, and how much hypocrisy is enacted in the guise of piety! The human heart is truly more deceitful than all things and exceedingly wicked! Heavenly Father, I thank You for sacrificing Your beloved Son, who cleansed all the filth and unrighteousness in this world with His precious blood! I implore Your mercy, forgive my sins, and keep me from losing the salvation found in Christ. Be with me, grant me wisdom to seek Your will, so that I may walk in Your holiness and light every day. Amen!

HYMN:

Be the Centre – youtu.be/pw6rIwmkV6E