Dangers of Deception
#11 in Series: "Learning from the Past, Preparing for the Future: A Study in the Book of Joshua"
(Deception is a powerful tool used by the enemy of your soul to destroy you. We learn principles from Joshua 9 of the importance of seeking God's guidance in all our decisions and the value of integrity and faithfulness.)
Have you ever been deceived into believing something that you later learned was a lie?…
There is an ethic found in this fallen world that traces its roots all the way to the fall! It is an ethic, that is in reality, unethical… It is the practice of deception!
What takes place in Joshua 9, is rather embarrassing to God's people… This is a chapter of failure… This chapter reveals a pattern already developed in the book of Joshua. And it is a pattern that has been repeated throughout history… We are witnessing the ebb and flow of faithfulness and failure!
Keep in mind that God is always faithful! In fact –
Joshua 21:45
Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to the house of Israel failed; all came to pass.
The Lord is always faithful!… Failure, whenever we encounter it, is always on the part of people!…
The first several chapters record faithfulness on the part of God people, before we read of blatant failure… The book opens with Joshua being commissioned as the new leader of Israel, and is urged to remain strong and courageous… Chapter 2 records the bold surveillance of Jericho, and Rahab's protection of the spies. Chapters 3 and 4 record the crossing of the Jordan River during flood season, on dry ground, and the erecting of memorial stones near Gilgal and the middle of the Jordan. Chapter 5 is filled with spiritual renewal! The new generation is circumcised – they celebrate Passover for the first time in decades – and Joshua sees The Commander of God's army – a preincarnate encounter with Christ Himself!… Chapter 6 records the miraculous victory over Jericho, and the deliverance of Rehab and her family!
It was on the heels of this great experience, that we encounter the first major failure on the part of God's people!
Chapter 7 reveals at least two major failures! There was the failure on the part of Joshua and the elders of not even seeking the Lord as to His will and timing in the taking of Ai!… We learn that the defeat at Ai was because of sin in the camp – the willful disobedience of Achan, who kept for himself, what belonged to the Lord, during the battle of Jericho… As a result of his failure, he, his family, and all he owned were destroyed. Chapter 8 records the great victory that God gave Israel over Ai!… And then comes chapter 9…
We read of a repeated pattern of … failure on the part of the leadership. The failure to seek the Lord, seems to always result in the following of human wisdom, rather than following God's wisdom… As we will see, this failure led to a compromise for the nation.
There are lessons to be learned, even from the seasons of failure… God's people are always in need of learning to rely on the Lord, rather than relying on self!… Faithfulness to the Lord trumps self-sufficiency every time! The sooner we learn the lesson to seek the Lord, wait upon Him, and follow His wisdom and will – the better one's life will be! Even death that often occurs for the faithful – is far better than a life of faithlessness! THAT would be an ultimate failure for God's people!
Today, we are going to learn about one strategy that the-enemy-of-your-soul often uses to defeat God's people!… It is the strategy of deception!
Let's get into the chapter…
Joshua 9 opens with –
1. The Unity of the Enemy
Joshua 9:1-2
1 Now it came about when all the kings who were beyond the Jordan, in the hill country and in the lowland and on all the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, heard of it, 2 that they gathered themselves together with one accord to fight with Joshua and with Israel.
It is rather interesting to read about these various people groups, city-states, and their kings… Their history was one of conflict – they would often be at war with each other… But, when the report of what the Lord had done for the Israelite reached them – it … terrified them, and rightly so…
The Hittite, Amorite, Canaanite, Perizzite, Hivite, and Jebusite – had now desire to yield to the One True God! They, with hardened hearts, chose to … unite together, to come against God's people!
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary – "Hitherto the Canaanites had defended themselves, but here they consult to attack Israel. Their minds were blinded, and their hearts hardened to their destruction. Though often at enmity with each other, yet they united against Israel. Oh that Israel would learn of Canaanites, to sacrifice private interests to the public welfare, and to lay aside all quarrels among themselves, that they may unite against the enemies of God's kingdom!"
That's a good point… It is rather amazing how the enemies of God unite together to oppose Him, His order, His law…
Unity is usually presented in Scripture as a virtue. It is sad when the world gets together easier than Christians can…
Next we encounter –
2. The Strategy to Deceive
Joshua 9:3-6
3 When the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, 4 they also acted craftily and set out as envoys, and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins worn-out and torn and mended, 5 and worn-out and patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and had become crumbled. 6 They went to Joshua to the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, "We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us."
The Gibeonites were not a part of the unified opposition against Israel… They chose a different tactic – lies and deception! In fact, notice the layers of lies. One lie follows another, in order to portray a false narrative that would be believable.
Satan, of course, is behind this tactic! What he could not accomplish with the walls of Jericho, or with the fighting forces of Ai – he is able to accomplish with … words – words of deceit!
A.W. Pink – "In stirring up the kings of Canaan to fight with Joshua, Satan is relying upon the use of arms (cf 1Pe 5:8); but in moving the Gibeonites to cloak their character and pose to be what they were not, so that Israel might be deceived into making a league with them, we behold his craftiness, purposing to introduce his leaven into the meal (cf Ge 3:1ff)."
We must learn quickly in our Christian experience, that the Deceiver never stops… He is constantly working his woes to mislead, misinform, to work his malice. Sometimes he comes across as the "roaring lion" (1 Peter 5:8), which should be easy to identify – but then he is also the "subtle serpent" (Genesis 3:1), who works to cause doubt, distrust, and blatant disobedience to God!… However he presents his message – know that it serves only for your destruction!
There is evidence in the text, that the Lord was … forewarning the men of Israel… Let's read about –
3. The Hesitancy that was Ignored
Joshua 9:7
The men of Israel said to the Hivites, "Perhaps you are living within our land; how then shall we make a covenant with you?"
There was something about these Gibeonites that didn't seem right… Something in their words – something in their tone – look – or attitude… Something was giving pause … but they didn't pause…
We know what's coming, but before we go on, let's pause and ponder for a moment… When there arises an internal prompt, pause, or "gut-check" – what should you do? What should a Christian do when they sense the need to hesitate before making a decision, especially a life-changing decision?
There are three simple, and direct things that should always be done:
First – seek the Scriptures!
Psalm 119:105
Your word is a lamp to my feet
And a light to my path.
God's Word is for our guidance! There is much in His Word that will equip us to make the best of decisions. His will, His wisdom, His direction is often found on the pages of His Word!
In addition to that, seek counsel!
Proverbs 11:14
Where there is no guidance the people fall,
But in abundance of counselors there is victory.
The seeking of counsel simply involves seeking the advice of other believers who are faithfully following the Lord and His Word as well!… Seeking counsel is NOT the asking of the opinion of everyone you trust, until you find someone who tells you … what you want to hear in the first place! THAT method is as much from the playbook of the Serpent, as lies being presented to the Israelites!
Godly counsel, is biblical, Spirit-filled, encouragement for you to do the right thing!… Seek counsel!
And third – PRAY! This should really come before seeking the counsel of others, but it should be a major part of the process! James says –
James 1:5
But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
God will give His wisdom! Directly, through His Word, or the word of Godly counsel – He will give wisdom!
In either case – don't do what the men of Israel did here and … ignore that sense of hesitation that God was giving them!
What we see next in the text, is what we can call –
4. The Persistence that Prevails
Joshua 9:8-14a
8 But they said to Joshua, "We are your servants." Then Joshua said to them, "Who are you and where do you come from?" 9 They said to him, "Your servants have come from a very far country because of the fame of the Lord your God; for we have heard the 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 king of Heshbon and to Og king of Bashan who was at Ashtaroth. 11 So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, 'Take provisions in your hand for the journey, and go to meet them and say to them, "We are your servants; now then, make a covenant with us."' 12 This our bread was warm when we took it for our provisions out of our houses on the day that we left to come to you; but now behold, it is dry and has become crumbled. 13 These wineskins which we filled were new, and behold, they are torn; and these our clothes and our sandals are worn out because of the very long journey." 14 So the men of Israel took some of their provisions…
It is interesting that the Gibeonites make a similar confession that Rahab made in chapter 2… They acknowledge the Lord's supernatural victories over Egypt decades ago, as well as His delivering the kings Sihon and Og to the Israelites!… However, they say nothing about the more recent events of the crossing of the Jordan, or the conquering of Jericho and Ai. This was probably because they were trying to pass themselves off as having come from some great distance and the news of those events, supposedly hasn't reached them…
The reality is – the news of those events DID reach them! That is why they are committing this subterfuge in the first place! They double-down on their story, and point to the "evidence" of their worn clothes, old wineskins, and old bread! They present themselves as "servants", in order to avoid God's justice against them…
The Israelites "took some of their provisions…", probably to examine them… In either case, it worked! The Gibeonites were extremely crafty!
The balance of verse :14 reveals a matter that we need to carefully take to heart!… Let's think about –
5. The Pattern of Presumption
Joshua 9:14
So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord.
These men trusted their own eyes – they trusted their own judgement – and didn't even think about … seeking the counsel of the Lord!… Friends, that approach … is asking for trouble!
This is what the Bible calls presumption! Like most every sin, it has its roots in … pride! It is "assuming" something is what you think it is, without appropriate investigation!… It is the sin of thinking that God approves, without even asking Him!…
King David had to learn some hard lessons about this … pride-based sin in his life! And he got to where we should all get to – and that is being concerned … and careful to NOT commit this sin!
Listen to his prayer to the Lord in Psalm 19 –
Psalm 19:12-14
12 Who can discern his errors? Acquit me of hidden faults.
13 Also keep back Your servant from presumptuous sins;
Let them not rule over me;
Then I will be blameless,
And I shall be acquitted of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.
Keep me "from presumptuous sins"!… Keep me from the arrogance that blinds one to reality!
Warren Wiersbe – "The leaders of Israel took the 'scientific approach' instead of the 'spiritual approach.' They depended on their own senses, examined the 'facts,' discussed the matter, and agreed in their conclusion. It was all very logical and convincing, but it was all wrong. They had made the same mistake at Ai (chap. 7) and hadn't yet learned to wait on the Lord and seek His direction… Like Joshua and the nation of Israel, God's people today are living in enemy territory and must constantly exercise caution. When you believe the enemy instead of seeking the mind of the Lord, you can expect to get into trouble."
Do you know how to spell trouble?… N-O P-R-A-Y-E-R!… Trouble comes to God's people, when God's people fail to pray!
In the case of the Israelites, their prayerlessness lead to –
6. An Unholy Alliance
Joshua 9:15
Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.
This was serious business! Joshua, the leader of the nation of Israel, just committed the nation to enter into a … covenant with a group of people that were destined for destruction!… This was a truly "unequally yoked" relationship (2 Corinthians 6:14).
Israel "made a vow" – their vow is not merely to the Gibeonites, but it is a vow … to God!… There is no going back!
Listen to what Joshua and the nation knew –
Numbers 30:2
If a man makes a vow to the Lord, or takes an oath to bind himself with a binding obligation, he shall not violate his word; he shall do according to all that proceeds out of his mouth
Joshua made the covenant, but notice … the leaders of the congregation had to ratify it – which they did… So, this agreement became binding on the nation!
What comes next is –
7. The Discovery of the Truth
Joshua 9:16
It came about at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were neighbors and that they were living within their land.
Sooner or later, the truth always comes out!…
Listen, it may not happen in this life-time, but the truth about every thing you've done, every word you've spoken, every thought you've entertained … will come out!
We can not hide our sin from God! He sees it all!… The good news is, the sin of God's people is covered by the blood of the Lamb (1 John 1:7), and … as we leaned into last week … "there is now no more condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1)!…
It was right that the truth came out in this particular case… As we will see in the future following this covenant, God in His mercy, would bring many of the Gibeonites to true faith…
But that is in the future… What were the results of this covenant then?…
Let's consider –
8. The Consequences of Compromise
Joshua 9:17-18a
17 Then the sons of Israel set out and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon and Chephirah and Beeroth and Kiriath-jearim. 18 The sons of Israel did not strike them because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord the God of Israel…
The first consequence was … a softened approach to warfare… There is now no annihilation of the cities that belonged to the Gibeonites as had happened to Ai!…
We also see the consequences of … a weakened confidence in leaders… Read the rest of verse :18 –
Joshua 9:18b
… And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders.
Missteps in the actions of the leaders, led to a mistrust in attitudes of the people!
For years, the "congregation" were known for their grumbling… This time, they had a legitimate reason!
Another consequence … and one that we don't always think about … is the special care that will have to be taken in the future…
Let's read on –
Joshua 9:19-21
19 But all the leaders said to the whole congregation, "We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them. 20 This we will do to them, even let them live, so that wrath will not be upon us for the oath which we swore to them." 21 The leaders said to them, "Let them live." So they became hewers of wood and drawers of water for the whole congregation, just as the leaders had spoken to them.
Israel is bound by God to … do no harm to a people who were once marked out for judgement! They cannot break their oath!
This compromise did work out … for the most part … for the Gibeonites. They did become the wood cutters and water haulers for the Temple… Again, as alluded to earlier … this would result many of them coming to know the same grace of God in salvation as … other Gentiles, who were outside of the Covenant God had with Israel, but were … "grafted" in! … People like you and me!…
For Israel this compromise was seen as leading to negative consequences… For the Gibeonites – a people deserving nothing but judgement – in the long run, it turned out for their … good.
The final verses show us a couple of more details we need to glean from this chapter…
The next is –
9. The Cursing of the Deceivers
Joshua 9:22-23
22 Then Joshua called for them and spoke to them, saying, "Why have you deceived us, saying, 'We are very far from you,' when you are living within our land? 23 Now therefore, you are cursed, and you shall never cease being slaves, both hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God."
Joshua … lets them have it! Their deception results in a curse upon them! (Sound familiar?… Satan deceived Eve… and God curses him! Genesis 3:17)…
The deceivers are condemned to a future of slavery! They live – but they are condemned to merely serve!…
I find it very interesting that in the final verses we see something that … serves as a positive example that Christians should always adopt!… I want to be careful and not create an analogy out of a narrative – but we do see something in the Gibeonites that illustrates the attitude that should be in Christians!…
Think with me about –
10. The Picture of Surrender
Joshua 9:24-27
24 So they answered Joshua and said, "Because it was certainly told your servants that the Lord your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you; therefore we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and have done this thing. 25 Now behold, we are in your hands; do as it seems good and right in your sight to do to us." 26 Thus he did to them, and delivered them from the hands of the sons of Israel, and they did not kill them. 27 But Joshua made them that day hewers of wood and drawers of water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, to this day, in the place which He would choose.
The Gibeonites acknowledged the truth! They confessed their understanding of the One True, Sovereign God! They understood that they were doomed for destruction!… And they now understand, and accept their position in Israel due to … the covenant!… They are servants!
Write down a few references that should govern our thinking on this. First, consider –
1 Corinthians 7:22
For he who was called in the Lord while a slave, is the Lord's freedman; likewise he who was called while free, is Christ's slave.
The point being, no matter your "station" in life – you are a slave to Christ!
Romans 6:22
But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? 20 For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body.
Because we belong to Christ, we live our lives … from the heart … unto Him!
Ephesians 6:6
not by way of eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
Paul said –
Galatians 1:10
For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.
Listen, even the Apostle Paul saw himself as a … doulos, slave of Christ!
Romans 1:1
Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus, called as an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,
Let me attempt a … summary statement of application considering this chapter…
Just as the Israelites had to navigate the consequences of their hasty oath, we must consider the long-term implications of our actions and decisions, ensuring they align with God's will and character. By reflecting on the Gibeonites' deception and the Israelites' response, we are reminded to approach life's challenges with discernment, humility, and a commitment to doing what is right in God's eyes … no matter the consequences.
Questions to Consider in Community Group
- How can we ensure we seek God's guidance in our decision-making process instead of relying on our own senses or intellect?
- The Gibeonites used a clever disguise to deceive Joshua. What are some modern-day examples of "deception" that Christians might face, and how can we develop discernment to spot them?
- Even after discovering the deception, Joshua honored his oath to the Gibeonites (:18-19). What does this teach us about the importance of integrity, keeping our promises, and our Christian witness?
- What was the difference in the Gibeonites' response to Israel's presence and claiming of the land, from the other Canaanite kings?
- How does this chapter demonstrate that while God is sovereign, our bad decisions (like failing to consult Him) can still lead to difficult consequences and unnecessary compromises?
- How can we go about "seeking the Lord" before making life-changing decisions?
- How do you spell trouble?
- What are your thoughts about any of the quotes shared in the message?
- Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary – "Hitherto the Canaanites had defended themselves, but here they consult to attack Israel. Their minds were blinded, and their hearts hardened to their destruction. Though often at enmity with each other, yet they united against Israel. Oh that Israel would learn of Canaanites, to sacrifice private interests to the public welfare, and to lay aside all quarrels among themselves, that they may unite against the enemies of God's kingdom!"
- A.W. Pink – "In stirring up the kings of Canaan to fight with Joshua, Satan is relying upon the use of arms (cf 1Pe 5:8); but in moving the Gibeonites to cloak their character and pose to be what they were not, so that Israel might be deceived into making a league with them, we behold his craftiness, purposing to introduce his leaven into the meal (cf Ge 3:1ff)."
- Warren Wiersbe – "The leaders of Israel took the 'scientific approach' instead of the 'spiritual approach.' They depended on their own senses, examined the 'facts,' discussed the matter, and agreed in their conclusion. It was all very logical and convincing, but it was all wrong. They had made the same mistake at Ai (chap. 7) and hadn't yet learned to wait on the Lord and seek His direction… Like Joshua and the nation of Israel, God's people today are living in enemy territory and must constantly exercise caution. When you believe the enemy instead of seeking the mind of the Lord, you can expect to get into trouble."
