Believing the enemy (Josh. 9:1–15)

I. What the Gibeonites did (Josh. 9:3–5)

3 But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors. And they took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and mended, 5 old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy.

A. Gibeon was on Joshua’s list to be destroyed.

In Deuteronomy 20:16–18, God’s law stated that Israel must destroy all the cities in Canaan. If after the Conquest Israel was involved in other wars, they could offer peace to cities that were outside the land.

Somehow the Gibeonites knew about this law and decided to use it for their own protection. Since the enemy knows how to use the Word of God for their own purposes, God’s people must keep alert

B. The Gibeonites assembled a group of men.

They brought these men together and equipped them to look like an official delegation from a foreign city. Their clothing, food, and equipment were all designed to give the impression that they had been on a long and difficult journey from a distant city.

Satan is a counterfeiter and “masquerades as an angel of light”. He has his “false apostles” and “deceitful workmen” (v. 13, NIV) at work in this world, blinding the lost and seeking to lead believers astray. “13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light.” (2 Corinthians 11: 13-14)

II. What the Gibeonites said (Josh. 9:6–13)

6 And 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.” 7 Then the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell among us; so how can we make a covenant with you?” 8 But they said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” And Joshua said to them, “Who are you, and where do you come from?” 9 So they said to him: “From a very far country your servants have come, because of the name of the LORD your God; for we have heard of His fame, 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 Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth. 11 Therefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, ‘Take provisions with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them, “We are your servants; now therefore, make a covenant with us.” ’ 12 This bread of ours we took hot for our provision from our houses on the day we departed to come to you. But now look, it is dry and moldy. 13 And these wineskins which we filled were new, and see, they are torn; and these our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”

A. Satan is a liar and the father of lies.

Human nature is such that many people find it easier to tell lies than the truth. With tongue in cheek, the American political leader Adlai Stevenson said, “A lie is an abomination unto the Lord—and a very present help in trouble.” The Gibeonites told several lies in their attempt to get out of trouble. First, they said they were “from a very far country” when they actually lived twenty-five miles away. Then they lied about their clothing and food. They also lied about themselves and gave the impression that they were important envoys on an official peace mission from the elders of their city. They also called themselves “your servants”, when in reality they were the enemies of Israel.

These four lies were bad enough; but when the visitors said they had come “because of the name of the Lord” (v. 9), it was blasphemous. Like the citizens of Jericho (2:10), the people in Gibeon had heard about Israel’s march of conquest (9:9–10); but unlike Rahab and her family, they didn’t put their faith in the Lord. These men were wise enough not to mention Israel’s victories at Jericho and Ai; for that news couldn’t have reached their “far country” that quickly. Satan’s ambassadors can lie more convincingly than some Christians can tell the truth!

B. Satan knows how to use “religious lies”

Satan’s minions want to give the impression that they are people seeking to know the Lord. I’ve met people who have introduced themselves as seekers; but the longer they talked, the more convinced I was that they were sneakers.

You will have people who only come to church only trying to get something out of it. They make their “profession of faith” and then start telling their sad tale of woe, hoping to break hearts and then pick pockets. Of all liars, “religious liars” are the worst.

III. Why they succeeded (Josh. 9:14–15)

14 Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD. 15 So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them.

A. Joshua and the princes of Israel didn’t consult the Lord.

They walked by sight and not by faith. After listening to the strangers’ speech and examining the evidence, Joshua and his leaders concluded that the men were telling the truth. 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.

The will of God comes from the heart of God, and He delights to make it known to His children when He knows they are humble and willing to obey. We don’t seek God’s will like customers who look at options but like servants who listen for orders. God sees our hearts and knows whether we are really serious about obeying Him.

B. True faith involves exercising patience.

If this group of men had been an authentic official delegation, it would have comprised a much larger company bearing adequate supplies, including sufficient provisions for the trip home. Real ambassadors would have thrown away their “dry and moldy” bread because their servants would have baked fresh bread for them. As officials, they would have packed the proper attire so that they might make the best impression possible as they negotiated with the enemy. Had Joshua and his leaders paused to think and pray about what they saw, they would have concluded that the whole thing was a trick. “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5, NKJV).

True faith involves exercising patience. Moses had told the Jews, “Be careful not to make a treaty with those who live in the land where you are going, or they will be a snare among you” (Ex. 34:12). But in their haste Joshua and the Jewish leaders broke God’s Law and made a covenant with the enemy. Since their oath was sworn in the name of the Lord, it could not be broken. Joshua and the princes of Israel had sworn to their own hurt, and there was no way to revoke their oath or be released from their promise.

Conclusion:

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.