BEING TOO FRIENDLY WITH THE ENEMY
Joshua 9:1-27

Introduction:     The people of Israel have just defeated the city of Ai and are preparing to march deeper into Canaan as they claim the promised land which the Lord had given to them. They have seen the great walled city of Jericho defeated and they have witnessed the pesky little town of Ai defeated too. However, before they will ever see another victory, Israel must learn a valuable lesson about becoming too friendly with the enemy. As I look at the Bible's record of these events, it is not too hard for me to see the parallels between the battles Israel fought in the flesh and the ones which we fight in the spirit. In fact, these cities that they have faced all teach us a spiritual lesson. In this passage, we can see a portrait of the devil and his devices. As we will see, there is a danger in becoming friendly with the enemy.

I.          THE ENEMY CAN BE DECEPTIVE  (VV. 1-13)
When all the kings of Canaan heard what had happened to Ai and to Jericho (vv.1-2), they joined forces to seek to defeat Israel . Isn't it amazing how the devil's crowd will join up to fight God's people?

A.        He Uses Deceptive Wiles (v. 4)
When the Gibeonites heard that the Israelites were headed in their direction, they devised a scheme to trick Israel into making a peace treaty with them. What a picture of our enemy, the devil! He uses:
            1.         "wiles" to get his way in our lives. (Eph. 6:11) - The word "wiles" refers to "deceit, trickery, cunning arts." (also refer to Luke 22:31-32).

2.         "snares" to catch his prey. (1 Tim. 3:7) This word refers to a trap set by a hunter in order that he might capture his prey. So, Satan uses deceptive wiles, just like the people of Gibeon did.)

B.         He Uses Deceptive Wares  (vv. 4-5)
The Gibeonites had taken every step possible to deceive Israel into believing that they were from a far away country. When the devil comes to you in temptation, or to trip you up, he does not do so in a red suit with a pointy tail and horns. He will not be carrying a pitchfork and he will not smell like sulphur. When the devil comes he will appear as an angel of light, 2 Cor. 11:14. He will make his plan appear to be the perfect thing for your life. Check out everything by the Word of God and by the will of God and the Lord will always lead you in the right way!

C.        He Uses Deceptive Words  (vv. 6-13)
Notice that in these verses, these men from Gibeon :
             1.        Lied, (vv. 6, 9, 11-12)
             2.        Claimed to be something they were not, (vv. 8-9) 
             3.        Were careful in what they referred to, (vv. 10) - (Ill. They did not mention anything that had happened since Israel had crossed Jordan , giving the impression that they had indeed been traveling for quiet some time.)

II.         THE ENEMY CAN BE DESTRUCTIVE (VV. 14 –21)

A.        Their Ability To See Clearly Was Disrupted (v. 14)
Notice that in verse 7, Joshua initially was a little skeptical of these so-called ambassadors. He questioned them about their origin again in verse 8. Joshua is to be commended for his caution, but he gave up just a little too soon! Thank God we can walk in victory over the devil if we will be sober and vigilant! When your spiritual vision gets dim through neglect of the Word of God and prayer, you are very susceptible to the tricks and traps of the enemy. It is impossible to have the victory over him when we neglect the very things which are designed to make us strong!)

B.         Their Ability To Seek Counsel Was Disrupted (v. 14)
Notice that Israel ate with the Gibeonites and did not even take the matter to the Lord in prayer. To break bread with someone in that day was considered to be a sign of unalterable friendship. But what they considered to be the right thing to do turned into a problem because they did not take the time to take the matter to the Lord in prayer first and neither did they take the time to wait on His answer. As a result, they stepped out of the will of God and had to suffer the consequences!

C.        Their Ability To Stay Clean Was Disrupted (vv. 15-21)
The Israelites ability to be a separate people before the Lord was marred by their decision to make a league with the Gibeonites. God had told them to utterly destroy the inhabitants and to make no covenants with them at all, Deut 7:2, However, Israel disobey this command and as a result they sinned before the Lord.

III.       THE ENEMY CAN BE DEFEATED  (VV. 22-27)

A.        The Enemy Must Be Confronted (V. 22)
When Joshua found out what these people had done, he went straight to them and rebuked them and confronted them about their sins.

B.         The Enemy Must Be Controlled (V. 27)
There is no question that Joshua and Israel made a mistake when they dealt with the Gibeonites. However, mistakes to not have to spell permanent ruin. Joshua realized the seriousness of what they had done and he immediately took the necessary steps to control the situation. They can't kill them, because they have given them their word, (v. 19) but they can control them!

C.        The Enemy Must Be Commissioned (V. 27)
Notice what Israel did with the Gibeonites. They took them and they put them to work carrying water and chopping wood for the Tabernacle of the Lord. Joshua took his mistake and used it for the glory of the Lord! The Bible even indicates that these people eventually got right with God and were absorbed into the nation of Israel - 2 Sam 21:2-6. Joshua took his error and used it for God!

Conclusion:       Joshua and Israel thought they were making a treaty with people from a far away land. However, they found themselves shackled to a Gibeonite! Has this ever happened to you? Maybe you are in the middle of it right now. You listened to your flesh, or the devil and now you are in a mess. Why not bring that thing to the Lord and let Him turn you failure into something He can use for His glory?