Apostle Danny Blanton @ 2008

Joshua 9: 3-15 is the review of Joshua being deceived by those who came among his camp and offered him their assistance. Joshua was the new anointed overseer of Israel leading them in their “new beginnings.” Moses was dead, and the victories at Jericho and Ai were concluded. The march towards the promised land continued and success was “in the air!” This situation is akin to a local pastor in a building program. As the story of his successful and noticeable growth spreads throughout the community many come to see and sense the events. Because of this, there are likely to be those who are not of the right spirit seeking positions over the congregation. They arrive with tall tales which elevate their opinions of themselves. They want to sell their personal worth to the pastor. This is in hopes of “coming on board” the successful work and assist in the project. These are the Gibeonites who come to Joshua with their offer of entering into covenant with Israel. Perhaps they caught Joshua at a weak time and he was weary from the recent new steps of leadership and the ensuing battles. This I say because it is evident that he made an immediate and awful decision to accept the testimony and thereby the offer of the Gibeonites. Covenant was made and a fellowship meal followed. Joshua trusted in a situation before ever deciding if the facts given by the Gibeonites were correct. Joshua trusted when he should have determined if truth was anywhere near the travel reviews being shared. Joshua accepted because he assumed before proper conclusions were adopted. This often happens in local Churches who are becoming successful in their building programs. Fame draws many but that does not mean all who come under the shadow of local success are of the right motive. All leaders must guard against pride else we will make foolish decisions of accepting “assistance” that seems right when in fact it is not. Trust is one of the initial components needed to construct a firm spiritual relationship. Trust cannot be formed when one covenant maker is less than honest about their intentions.

Trust is born of relationship which without either, ministry cannot flow. If trust is not enjoyed between a sheep and a shepherd, then ministry cannot be meaningful. A major problem that surfaces between Joshua and the Gibeonites is noted in the fact that Joshua trusted them before establishing a foundational relationship. The Bible tells us to “Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men’s sins…(1 Timothy 5:22). This of course was not written in times when Old Testament saints could refer to it. However, the idea is still there for Joshua to “check out,” to discern these Gibeonites before setting them in immediate fellowship. It is true that looks can be deceiving and this is the case for Joshua. He was deceived by how the Gibeonites looked which was collaborated by their testimony of having come from a far country. None the less, Joshua should have been more alert and not fallen for their image before building a relationship of sorts with them.

The Gibeonites presented themselves, as something they were not, before Israel’s spiritual leadership. They were of a local address and not from a far one as they projected. Rather than seek to build a true relationship with Joshua, the Gibeonites appeared as weary ambassadors coming to “serve” Joshua. This forced the sharing by the Hebrews of the food and drink presented by the Gibeonites. This meal fostered peace not sanctioned by YAHveh. This incident gives life and illustration to the danger of accepting someone at “face value” without prayer over and about them. The Almighty is very strict in His guide lines concerning such causes which are too numerous to mention here, but are included in the 613 laws already given to Israel.

Joshua made a big mistake. He listened to the Gibeonites praise reports regarding how they heard of the present fame of the Lord and the Israelites spreading throughout the land. According to Joshua 9:14, “And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the Lord.” Joshua and his men were beguiled by accepting the praise of men for men and they overlooked the glory that was due the Lord. The Gibeonites are the type individuals who invade a spiritual camp and are disguised as something they are not. They are like the wolves in sheep’s clothing spoken of by the Lord in Luke 10:3. These are those who seek to destroy good works by usurping spiritual authority. This begins with their flattery and fine offerings. These type people always seek positions in Churches from which they can be noticed and stroked. The danger from people in these positions is the false teaching and anointing they bring that “seems right.” The thought rises, because the flattery is good, the food is good and we all sat at the same table, it must be true fellowship! The general thought then is, it is all good, so it must be the Lord! Now the camp is invaded and false pride has won its battle against the anointed ones of God.

This account of the Gibeonites invading the camp of Joshua in such manner as they did is a great factual review of how not to seat people too soon at your table of leadership. Cults and false ministries abound in this hour and it is easy for a weary leader to fall prey to the spirit of the Gibeonites when prayer is slack and personal need is great. Had Joshua taken the time to think in this case, he would not have fallen to the false platitudes of the Gibeonites who represent false prophets, cults and spiritual deception. Joshua did remedy this situation, but at a great personal price of having to undo that which should never have been done.

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