Village Schools of the Bible

A Devotional Study of Joshua
by Max Frazier, Jr.

A SUMMIT STRATEGY AGAINST GOD
Joshua 9:1-2

We begin another study into the exciting book of Joshua. God has been at work doing some incredible miracles among the people of God. And these facts have not gone unnoticed by the pagan Canaanites in the surrounding countryside. Friends, God never does His work in secret. Neither should you and I. Jesus admonished us that we were to be lights in the world and that we were not to let anything hide the influence of our light.

So, with the threat of the Israelites becoming more of a reality, the Canaanite nations gather together for a summit. The topic of discussion: How to conquer Israel? Yes, they all recognized that Israel was a threat to their existence. Yet they had a reason for some measure of optimism. Israel had suffered a defeat at Ai. They reasoned that had occurred because the Israelites were outnumbered. So, if they could just band their forces together, then victory might be assured.

Now there is a lesson in these two brief verses. These pagan Canaanite leaders had to make a decision concerning God. These people had a knowledge about God. They had observed His incredible acts. The miraculous crossing of the Jordan River by the people of God, the stunning victory at Jericho, and the crushing defeat of Ai after a momentary setback, were topics of discussion around the Canaanite summit table. Certainly these people were faced with a decision: to submit to God or to resist Him.

In a way, they were in a similar situation as was Pharaoh in the book of Exodus. Yet we remember his response, Who is the Lord that I should obey His voice to let Israel go? (Exodus 5:2). Pharaoh had a choice and said "no" to God.

I am also reminded of the words of Paul in Romans 1, as he portrays the actions of the world. He states that the world knew about God, but refused to honor Him. They were not thankful for God's goodnesses to them. They began speculating foolishly and their minds became senseless and darkened because any refusal to accept the truth will lead to the inability to distinguish between good and evil. These people thought they were wise, but in reality they were very foolish because they worshipped idols instead of the living God. They knew God, but resisted Him.

So many people are like these Canaanite leaders. They so easily turn their back upon God and trust in their own merits toward salvation. How dangerous it is to refuse to submit to God. As we shall see, in our study in chapter ten later this week, the decision of these leaders to trust themselves rather than to submit to God, would be a fatal one.

Father, how clearly You have revealed Yourself to others. We praise You that Your work is never done in a secret place, but You trumpet Your truths from the housetops and from the pinnacles of the mountains. I know that I have some close family members who have refused to submit themselves to You. And I know that this is true for many of our Village Line friends. Father, I would pray that Your Holy Spirit would bring them to a conviction of sin and to a submission of themselves to our great Savior. For it is in His name that I pray. Amen.

THE PERIL OF DECEIT
Joshua 9:3-15

Satan is a very subtle enemy. If he cannot defeat you using the direct method of attack, he will use the indirect method of deceit. He will come as the wolf in sheep's clothing. He will come as the angel of light bringing the message of darkness.

In our last study together, we had observed the summit meeting of the Canaanite leaders as they began to strategize and make plans for dealing with the people of God. Included in that summit were the leaders of the community of Gibeon. But, as the plans began to unfold, these leaders became uncomfortable. They had reached the conclusion that fighting was not the answer, so they withdrew from the alliance and formed their own strategy.

They hastily prepared and sent a delegation to Joshua asking for the terms of peace. Now they realized that the only way that they could gain an audience with Israel's military leader, was to deceive him into thinking they were something they were not. So they created the impression that they had come from a far country to make a covenant of peace with Israel. Dry, stale bread and cracked and dried wineskins were given to the delegation. They were not to mention Jericho or Ai in their negotiations. So they came to Joshua, presented their story, and the covenant of peace was signed.

Now there are two lessons for us in this story. First, we must be careful that we not be deceived by those who quote the Word of God out of context. The leaders of Gibeon knew that God had permitted Israel to sign covenants of peace with those people who lived outside of the Promised Land (Deuternomy 20:10-12). Yet they failed to quote God's warnings that Israel not sign any agreement with the nations living within the land (Exodus 23:31-33).

Friends, Satan knows his Bible well. In fact, I believe he has it all memorized and he will use it against you. Remember how he used the Scriptures in the temptations of our Lord. We are to test everyone who comes to us quoting the Bible. I am reminded of the admonition of the Apostle John when he wrote: Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world (1 John 4:1).

In order to guard against this misuse of Scripture by our adversary, we must do two things. First, we must study it carefully. Many of you have taken classes here at the Village Schools. Our purpose is to help you to study carefully the Word of God so that you will know its truths and not be deceived by Satan. Second, we must let the Bible speak for itself. We should never come to the Bible seeking to prove our own presuppositions. But we must let God speak to us through His Word.

The second lesson is that we can be deceived by using circumstances to interpret the Scriptures rather than evaluating our circumstances in the light of Scripture. Everything seemed so right to Joshua. The Gibeonites seemed so honest and sincere. But the circumstances were wrong. And tomorrow we will discover the serious mistake which Joshua made. Join us then, will you?

Father, we are prone to forget how deceitful and crafty our adversary really is. He does not take "no" for an answer without putting up a fight. And it is at those times when he presents himself as the angel of light that we become most vulnerable to his wiles. Father, I thank You for the ministry of the Village Schools. I pray that through this ministry, many will come to an understanding of the precious eternal truths of Your Word and become successful in defeating the deceitful ways of Satan. I pray this in Jesus name. Amen.

THE DANGERS OF A LACK OF PRAYER
Joshua 9:14

Verse 14 contains one of those powerful truth statements. But they (meaning Joshua and the leaders of Israel) did not inquire of the Lord. They should have asked God for His guidance into this matter with those who were seeking to enter into a covenant of peace with them. Joshua should have prayed about it. Joshua should have remembered what had happened after the victory at Jericho when he failed to consult God before sending his army to defeat at Ai.

Without the counsel of God, the Israelites were blinded to the fabricated story the Gibeonites had told them. Their story had seemed so authentic, at least the props seemed so. Once again, Joshua is caught up in the excitement of the moment. Once again he fails to consult God. So, once again, Israel is faced with a crisis.

How easy it is, after great victories, to rely upon our own strength and counsel instead of upon God. How often do I say, "Oh, I know the answer to this problem. I don't need to bother God about this one." Or, I will say, "I believe I can handle this small crisis. God has other, more important matters to take care of." And, what made this situation all the more critical and dangerous for Joshua and Israel was the fact that these people came quoting Scripture to them as we saw in our last study.

I reminded of the sad story of an unnamed prophet who was sent by God to declare God's judgments upon the evil king of Israel named Jeroboam. The prophet went to Bethel, delivered his message, and started home as he had been told, for God had commanded him not to eat or to drink while he was in the Northern Kingdom. Yet, a false prophet deceived him with a supposed message from God. The unnamed prophet took a meal at this man's house and later perished because of his disobedience. If only he had prayed before he took that fateful journey he would have known that the invitation came from the lips of a deceitful prophet.

I need to be daily reminded of the importance of prayer. I need to be daily reminded that it is not my will but God's which is to be done. I need to be reminded daily that it is only through my prayer communion with God that I can come to know the truth of my situation and of God's desires for me at that moment.

Father, I must confess that too many times I have been as prayerless as was Joshua. I have relied upon my own wisdom and strength. I have forgotten the power that is available through prayer. Oh those sad words, "If only I had prayed." Father, instill within all of our hearts a desire to share with You, not only those moments of crises - our Jerichos, but every moment of every day. Yes, the Apostle Paul was correct when he stated that we should pray without ceasing. Thank You for this lesson from Your Word. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen.

Joshua 8 Return to Table of Contents Joshua 10