S11 || What if We Get Tricked by Deceptive People? || Joshua 9:1-27 || Session 11 || Verse by Verse Bible Study

Deception wears many disguises, especially when draped in religious language. In our examination of Joshua 9, we witness a masterful con job that continues to offer powerful lessons for modern believers navigating a world of hidden agendas.

The Gibeonites faced certain destruction as Joshua and the Israelites conquered the Promised Land. Rather than fighting or surrendering, they crafted an elaborate deception—donning tattered clothes, carrying moldy bread, and claiming to be travelers from a distant land seeking peace. Their crowning manipulation? Appealing to Joshua's faith by expressing admiration for his God's mighty works. The ploy worked brilliantly.

Joshua's critical mistake wasn't just believing their story—it was failing to consult God before making a covenant. This hasty decision trapped Israel in a binding agreement that contradicted God's explicit commands. When the truth emerged just three days later, Joshua honored his word despite the deception, demonstrating that integrity matters even when others act dishonestly. The Gibeonites received a fitting consequence: perpetual service as woodcutters and water drawers for the tabernacle, ironically spending generations near the very God whose people they had deceived.

This ancient story speaks directly to our modern experiences. We encounter people who use Christian terminology to mask ulterior motives—from salespeople appealing to shared faith to scammers targeting trusting believers. The message is clear: remain "innocent as doves but wise as serpents." Seek God's guidance before significant decisions, investigate before entering agreements, and recognize that a pattern of spiritual warfare (against the world, the flesh, and the devil) continues throughout history.

How might your decision-making change if you paused to seek God's counsel first? What relationships or agreements in your life deserve closer examination? Join us next time as we continue our journey through Joshua, examining how God works through human failures to accomplish His greater purposes.

Questions in this session:  

• Do evil forces disguise themselves today?
• Are there people today who use religion a tool for deceiving us? 
• Should we expect to see deception? 
• How can we keep our guard up but still help those in need? 
• What should we do when our leaders make mistakes?  

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