| Joshua: Strength and Courage |
Joshua: Deception
Joshua: Strength and Courage for the True Man of God
Joshua 9 – Deception
Verses 1-2 Once again it is noted that word of what God is doing for Israel is spreading. God has promised
to be at work in the people of Israel’s lives. This is part of the “blessings and curses” mentioned in the previous
chapter (vs. 34). This goes back to what God promised them 40 years previous:
I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the
fourth generation of those who hate me, 6but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and
keep my commandments. – Exodus 20:5-6
When God works in our lives, word gets around. But is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Verses 3-15 The Gibeonite Deception. Let’s take this apart. What happened? What is the problem? What
went wrong? Who’s at fault?
The Gibeonite’s feel that their best defense against annihilation is deception. How did they pull it off?
What was Israel’s problem here? “They did not ask counsel from the Lord.” (vs 14). Why?
Why do some men not seek God’s counsel?
Verses 16-21 The deception is found out. But what does Joshua do? He continues to honor the covenant
made in faith, even though it is made due to false pretenses. Is this the best way? Is this the right thing to do? It
certainly wasn’t the popular thing to do – as verse 18 indicates. But the Israelite leaders make an interesting
argument. What did they do? The acted with integrity. This is a huge step for them. They understand that they
acted in good faith, even if the Gibeonites did not. What kind of witness is this?
Have you ever acted with integrity even when it cost you something? Even when not doing so would have
been acceptable to other people?
Big Idea: A True Man of God acts with integrity, even when it isn’t popular.
Joshua 9 – Deception
Verses 1-2 Once again it is noted that word of what God is doing for Israel is spreading. God has promised
to be at work in the people of Israel’s lives. This is part of the “blessings and curses” mentioned in the previous
chapter (vs. 34). This goes back to what God promised them 40 years previous:
I the LORD your God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and the
fourth generation of those who hate me, 6but showing steadfast love to thousands of those who love me and
keep my commandments. – Exodus 20:5-6
When God works in our lives, word gets around. But is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Verses 3-15 The Gibeonite Deception. Let’s take this apart. What happened? What is the problem? What
went wrong? Who’s at fault?
The Gibeonite’s feel that their best defense against annihilation is deception. How did they pull it off?
What was Israel’s problem here? “They did not ask counsel from the Lord.” (vs 14). Why?
Why do some men not seek God’s counsel?
Verses 16-21 The deception is found out. But what does Joshua do? He continues to honor the covenant
made in faith, even though it is made due to false pretenses. Is this the best way? Is this the right thing to do? It
certainly wasn’t the popular thing to do – as verse 18 indicates. But the Israelite leaders make an interesting
argument. What did they do? The acted with integrity. This is a huge step for them. They understand that they
acted in good faith, even if the Gibeonites did not. What kind of witness is this?
Have you ever acted with integrity even when it cost you something? Even when not doing so would have
been acceptable to other people?
Big Idea: A True Man of God acts with integrity, even when it isn’t popular.
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