The Gibeonite Deception
9 Now when all the kings west of the Jordan heard about these things—the kings in the hill country, in the western foothills, and along the entire coast of the Mediterranean Sea as far as Lebanon (the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites)— 2 they came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel.
3 However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded[a] with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. 5 They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. 6 Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the Israelites, “We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us.”
The news of victory became widespread. Then, opposition began to be worked out. Kings in the area began to band together of oppose the Israelites. Then, deception was organized by the Gibeonites. If you are obeying God’s commands, expect opposition. The world view will put pressure on you to change your obedience to God. How do you guard against the opposition of the world view? Rely on God and communicate with him daily. God will give you strength to endure the direct and indirect pressures the world view puts on God fearing people. Ask God for the wisdom to see through the deception the world tries to trick you into thinking is truth. God will reveal truth and wisdom to you.
