Once deceived by a professional con-artist, I unwittingly paid for his room for two nights. Little did I know, this experience would serve as a vivid illustration of the greatest con-artist of all time—Satan. In Joshua 9, we witness Israel facing deception from their enemies, a cautionary tale that echoes through the ages.

Knowing Your Enemies (Joshua 9:1-2): Identifying attacking enemies is easy, like the Hittites, Amorites, and Jebusites in ancient times or, in our context today, the known adversaries, Hamas and Hezbollah. However, the enemies pretending to be friends pose a greater danger.

Their Enemy in Disguise (Joshua 9:3-6): The inhabitants of Gibeon, aware of Israel's victories, craftily deceived by posing as ambassadors from a distant land. Their disguise, like modern-day deceit claiming to be from California when actually from Middleburg, aimed at luring Israel into making a covenant.

Making a Deal with the Devil Quotes: Quotes emphasizing the peril of making deals with the devil echo through history, likening it to risky endeavors like taking your retirement fund to Las Vegas or living with an honest thief.

Appealing to Ego, Logic, and Emotions (Joshua 9:9-13): Gibeonites appealed to Israel's ego, logic, and emotions, presenting a marketing strategy familiar in various contexts, from car dealers to panhandlers. Satan, the chief strategist, continues to entice with promises that appeal to our desires.

Covenant without Counsel (Joshua 9:14-15): The men of Israel, swayed by the Gibeonites' deceptive appeal, made a covenant without consulting the Lord. This impulsive decision-making, a personal reflection, emphasizes the need to seek God's counsel before committing.

Late Discovery, Upset Congregation (Joshua 9:16-18): Three days later, Israel discovered the truth, realizing they made a pact with neighbors. Despite the revelation, they honored the covenant, leading to dissatisfaction among the people towards their leaders.

Let Them Live, Let Them Serve Us (Joshua 9:19-21): The rulers, bound by their oath, spared the Gibeonites but made them woodcutters and water carriers. The decision reflected the consequences of not breaking their promise but allowing the Gibeonites to serve.

Joshua's Judgment (Joshua 9:22-23): Joshua, upon learning the truth, pronounced a curse on the Gibeonites, making them woodcutters and water carriers as punishment. This decision draws parallels to compromising values for personal gain.

Justifying Lies (Joshua 9:24-27): The Gibeonites justified their deceit, fearing Israel's divine mandate to conquer the land. Despite becoming servants, the story's apparent resolution carries a warning against being deceived by the devil.

This message presented by Pastor Allen Victor emphasizes the peril of making deals with the devil, drawing parallels from Joshua 9 to contemporary challenges. Calvary Chapel West Jacksonville, led by Pastor Allen, encourages seeking God's counsel to avoid falling prey to the devil's deceptive schemes.

#Deception #SpiritualWisdom #CovenantMaking #DecisionMaking