Striking Life Lessons: The Story of the Gibeonites

Anchor Verse: Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they [e]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. (Joshua 9:14)

During the sojourn of the Israelites to the land of Canaan, God wrought many astounding miracles for them. Some of which were; the crossing of River Jordan and the fall of Jericho. Hearing their exploits, and much more that they will do, the Gibeonites; a nearby nation, disguised and craftily manipulated Joshua to make a league with them and not kill them with the other nations. Unknowingly to Joshua, that was a trap. However, Joshua agreed to keep them as servants among them, thereby, sparing their lives. The truth about the Gibeonite’s true identity was later discovered by Joshua and his men, but the deed was already done. It could not be reversed. So, the children of Israel had to live with strangers against their will.  This is so because Joshua didn’t bother to first inquire of the Lord before entering into a treaty (sealed by an oath) with the Gibeonites. (Please read up the story in Joshua 9:1-27)

Deception is a tool of the devil to destroy lives.

Right from the early times, deception has been a major tool used by satan against believers alike. It was a tool used against Eve to plunge the world into sin. Deception is eating badly into the world like a plague of worms. Many people walk around in deception and total falsehood. There is a fear of who to even trust. Many people appear godly, but deep inside, they are ravening wolves. Deception is one of the characteristics of the end time. There are product’ deception, business deception, character deception, parental deception, emotional deception, religious deception among many others. 

Take heed that no man deceive you” (Luke 21:8)