Joshua 9 (1)

And it came to pass when all the kings who wereon this side of the Jordan, in the hills and in the lowland and in all the coasts of the Great Sea toward Lebanon—the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite—heard about it, that they gathered together to fight with Joshua and Israel with one accord. But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors. And they took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and mended, old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy. 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.”  Joshua 9.1-6

Reflect.
1.  Laying hold on the promises of God is not an easy road. There are obstacles, and the enemy of our souls will resist our progress. What obstacles and forms of resistance do you typically encounter as you press on to claim God’s promises?

2.  How important is it that we understand the various obstacles and forms of resistance that we can expect? How can understanding this help us in our daily preparations?

Think about it.
Israel achieved two smashing victories at the beginning of their campaign to conquer the land of promise. Naturally, the rest of the peoples in Canaan would hear about this. Then they would have to decide what to do: fight the Israelites as separate nations or come up with something better?

They chose the latter course, entering into a league to stand against “Joshua and Israel with one accord.” As we shall see, the Canaanites were not very good at working together, for not even uniting their forces could prevent their inevitable defeat.

The Gibeonites must have sensed as much (they knew themselves and their neighbors well). They decided that  this league-thing wasn’t going to work, so they decided on another tack. If a little deception could work for Israel, perhaps a little deception could work for them as well. They “worked craftily” and presented themselves to Joshua at Gilgal as emissaries “from a far country” – definitely not Canaanites. As we shall see, they presented themselves as servants. And such they would become, according to their word.

As it worked out, like the shrewd steward whom Jesus commended (Lk. 16.1-8), the Gibeonites would earn a reprieve from God for their shrewdness.

Meditate and discuss.
1.  What kinds of resistance can we expect to meet as we seek the Kingdom and glory of God, and work to lay hold on His promises? How can we prepare to deal with this resistance?

2.  Deception is one of the key tactics of the devil. If he can deceive us – like Adam and Eve, and like Joshua and Israel – he can derail us from obeying the Word of God. Can we recognize when we are being deceived, apart from a growing understanding of Scripture? Explain.

3.  Suppose you had been at Gilgal when the Gibeonites showed up. What would you have suggested to Joshua between verses 6 and 7? How does this apply to your own pursuit of the promises of God?

“For the kings of the earth have assembled together, the senate and the people and the leaders of Rome, to blot out the name of Jesus and Israel at the same time. For they have decreed in their laws that there be no Christians. Every city, every class, attacks the name of Christians. But just as at that time all those kings assembling against Jesus [Joshua] were able to do nothing, so even now, whether princes or those opposing authorities, they have been able to do nothing to prevent the race of Christians from being propagated more widely and profusely.” Origen of Alexandria (185-254 AD)

I know, Lord, that the devil and the world want to keep me from laying hold on Your promises. Help me to…

Pray Psalm 25.
Only God can teach, lead, and empower us to learn His way and walk in His covenant. Let this psalm guide you in seeking Him more fervently.

Psalm 25 (Festal Song: Revive Thy Work, O Lord)
I lift my soul to You; O Lord, in You I trust.
Let me not come to shame, nor let my foes o’er me exult.

All they who wait on You shall never come to shame;
Yet they to shame shall come who stand against Your holy Name.

Make me to know Your ways, teach me Your paths, O Lord!
My Savior, all day long I wait and seek You in Your Word.

Remember mercy, Lord, and steadfast love to me!
And all my sins before You let them not remembered be!

My sins have been of old, Your love is new each day;
According to Your goodness, Lord, regard my sinful way.

Upright and good are You, You lead us in Your way;
The humble You instruct in truth and guide him day by day.

The paths of God are all of love and faithfulness;
All they who keep His covenant the Lord will surely bless.

For Your sake, Lord, forgive.  All they who fear You, Lord,
Shall know Your blessings day by day and follow in Your Word.

Your friends are they who fear and seek Your holy face;
Your covenant with them You share and save them by Your grace.

Be gracious, Lord, to me; my heart is weighed with woe.
My troubles and affliction see; let my transgressions go.

Consider all my foes, who hate me all the day;
And rescue my poor soul lest I should stumble in the way.

Preserve me in Your way, redeem Your people, Lord!
We wait for You and refuge seek in Your own faithful Word.

T. M. Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006).