OPPOSITION. Joshua 9 It often happens that after a victory and a significant spiritual experience, Satan attempts to exploit our sense of well-being and complacency. There is recovery after defeat, and sin has been addressed. God grants a victory in a very strategic location. Israel sees the smoke of the sacrifices rising above Mt. Ebal. The ark is at the center of the people. The word of God is read and written.
Usually, when everything is going well, we believe we can move forward confidently. However, we must realize that opposition is possible if we are going to "live godly in Christ Jesus." Satan knows we are most vulnerable when we are excited by victory and believe our fellowship with God is finally and permanently established. True, we are positionally secure, but our spiritual condition is something we must work on daily. Nothing replaces daily communion with God. We need God when we are at peace as much or more than when we are engaged in spiritual warfare. Winning a battle doesn’t necessarily mean we will win the war. Losing a battle doesn’t mean all hope is lost. As long as sin exists, there will be conflict. No sin should be taken lightly. To compromise with Satan is to invite disaster. The cause of defeat is found through prayer, but more than prayer is needed to regain lost ground. We do not defeat Satan in a single moment of victory. Faith and obedience to our Lord are the keys to living victoriously.
An alliance of enemies unites to wage war. Usurpers believe they own everything, never thinking of the eternal God until now. Fear brings ancient foes together for a common goal, and they all think and declare the same thing, “Stop God!” “Stop God’s people – Stop God’s purpose!”
Israel was encamped at Gilgal as the carefully planned conquest of Canaan was unfolding. Joshua had led the army directly into the heart of the land, and the Lord had granted victory in strategic locations. The northern part of Canaan was now separated from the southern part, and the enemy leaders set aside their differences to unite against Israel. When God works His will through His people, there will be united opposition against anything opposed to the world, the flesh, and the devil. Joshua’s strategy for victory was to drive a wedge west from Jericho into the center of the land, thereby splitting enemy opposition. Then they turned south to confront the southern foes. Finally, they turned north to complete their campaign against the enemy.
This was not a hit-and-miss strategy. We need to apply divine strategy to daily living rather than live our lives haphazardly. Far too often, Christians simply let things happen instead of acting with discipline. As a result, we are often outmaneuvered by Satan, who is a master strategist. The roar of the lion is no more dangerous than the hiss of the snake. Joshua knew enough to consult with God before leading troops into battle. Open opposition will come when we refuse to compromise God's truth in order to establish a counterfeit ecumenical Christianity. Satan promotes alliances between God's people and the world. He makes it seem so reasonable that any form of "Christianity" is acceptable, and we should join in. It may not be exactly what people say, but the deceptive intent is that we will bring peace to earth ourselves by making everyone happy.
Throughout the land of Canaan, there were small independent city/states ruled by local kings. These people had migrated into Canaan from other regions mentioned in Genesis 15 and the first two verses of this chapter. One such small kingdom was Gibeon, whose inhabitants were known as the Hivites. The invasion of the Israelites into Canaan would have been major news at that time. The land's residents were aware of the miracles in Egypt, Israel's journey through the wilderness, the defeat of Sihon and Og, and their entry into Canaan, where the first major conquest was the defeat of the large walled city of Jericho.
Self-preservation generally takes priority over holding onto our possessions when evidence shows that surrender is our only chance of survival. The Israelites were told not to make treaties with the Canaanites, so the people of Gibeon had to “work wilily.” They chose deception rather than conflict and warfare as their means of survival. They started with flattery, which is very hard to resist.
All of us enjoy being honored and feeling “good about ourselves” when others praise our achievements, victories, and even our faith. Surprisingly, we often accept such flattery even from strangers. The book of Proverbs offers many warnings and signs to alert us to how flattery can be used to undermine righteousness, holiness, and godly living. Unfortunately, when this happens, we tend to take flattery at face value and believe it simply because someone said it. When Satan gains attention, he has an advantage because he’s a deceiver and liar with no scruples. Eve had never sinned but fell just like Adam. We are given free will to choose, and unless we seek guidance from the Lord, we will fall prey to flattery and deception. He will grant discernment to those who seek Him and enable us to “resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
An agreement among deceivers, pretenders, and liars who "work wilily” is made, consisting of lies and words spoken by fearful men. Then, unexpectedly, there is a display of sympathy from leaders who have not learned the lessons given to them. Counsel from God waits for a question that never comes. “The Wonderful Counselor” is completely ignored, and His advice, counsel, and commands are never sought after.
The ambassadors of the Hivites knew what to say about themselves and what would impress the leaders of Israel. They spoke about “The Lord your God” in a flattering way but did not acknowledge His authority for themselves. They twisted the truth to fit their own plans and only shared part of it to hide the lie they were enacting. The old bread, empty bottles, old sacks, and worn-out clothes and shoes were tools of their deception. This peace treaty seemed harmless enough, so Joshua and the leaders made this decision on their own. By not seeking God’s guidance, they had to deal with angry people and an awkward alliance.
It is vital that we realize that "with one accord," those who reject biblical Christianity will unite against those who obey the word of God alone. To accept the Bible solely as our source of doctrine and conduct is unacceptable to nominal "Christianity." Satan joins the enemy by focusing on secondary issues to hinder the advance of God’s people. Every victory a Christian wins in his or her own life invites an attack from the enemy. Blessings and battles go hand in hand.
The Gibeonites came pretending to undertake a long journey. They were wise enough not to mention Jericho and Ai. Instead, they focused only on the Israelites in the wilderness. The Gibeonites claimed to fully respect, honor, and believe in the God of Israel. Satan knows that an open frontal attack won't deceive a committed Christian. The child of God seeking to serve the Lord must always stay alert.
Satan knows that overt opposition does not always accomplish his goal when he goes about "as a roaring lion." Another tactic he has used successfully in the past, and still does, is the subtle, deceptive hiss of the serpent to infiltrate right into the heart of God's people. This covert opposition is more dangerous and much harder to deal with if we lower our guard, even for a moment. He suggests there are certain parts of our lives that are very minor compared to our devotion to the Lord. He implies there are areas of life where we have received no command, so “just go ahead; use your common sense; don’t overdo it.” He would have a false ambassador declare himself to be a fundamentalist, a genuine Bible believer who would not for a second doubt the Risen Lord and the Second Coming of Christ.
The Gibeonites introduced themselves to the "men of Israel," not just to Joshua, the leader of the nation. The unity of believers is very different from the unity of opposition. The leaders of the opposition decided to fight the people of God. Even though Israel was not a democratic society, the influence of those "men of Israel" who did not seek "counsel at the mouth of the Lord" was such that even Joshua made the same mistake they had made before. Satan promotes alliances between believers and the world by having the people of the world use religious talk and false submission to truth in the energy of the flesh. The Gibeonites knew about the deliverance from Egypt and the defeat of two kings east of the Jordan. But they did not mention the recent victories at Jericho and Ai, lest their deceptive story of coming from a "very far country" be exposed.
False ambassadors and false prophets today still use calculated means to deceive the “very elect,” if they can, to get what they want from Christians who do not take the time to get their instructions from God’s word. Some claim to be Christians, and some may be those who want us to join in alliances with anyone who says they are Christians. They want unity based on the name “Christian” rather than on the Person and authority of our Lord Jesus Christ. They usually will reject a literal interpretation and application of the Bible.
Alliances are quite appealing because, to the natural or carnal person, there is strength in numbers, not just in faith. Relying on human help can be more dangerous than facing open opposition united against us. Allowing a potential enemy to become permanently associated with the Lord’s people corrupts what has been sanctified. Opposition today is usually not too harsh, but evil associations are the traps that can lead us to defeat quickly. Let every Christian seek our King, our Lord, and Master’s approval before making any agreement with those of the world system.
A lesson for us is that neglecting prayer always leads to trouble and destroys discernment. It indicates pride in our own judgment, which is fatal. Things that may seem insignificant can ruin someone’s life. The strength of Christian living is lost when we give Satan even a small opening. Never trust your own judgment or think you can face Satan without God’s help. When pressure mounts to act quickly, pause and bring everything to God in prayer. When in doubt, stand still. Never act without praying first. Even when we have made mistakes, the battle can still be won. Keep your promises, integrity, and principles, and after confession and humility before God, He can still use you. The sin that once bound us may become the blessing that leads us to repentance, forsaking it, restoration, and a deeper, more committed life.
Truly committed Christians recognize their need for God both during good times and in moments of open opposition. We can become complacent through self-satisfaction, and when we are lazy and indulgent, we risk compromise. At such times, when something unusual happens, extra caution is needed to avoid acting hastily and making mistakes that cannot be reversed. When individuals who claim to be saved approach an assembly for fellowship, we need to "try the spirits" to understand who they are and what motivates their actions.
No matter what the saints as a whole think, those who lead God's people must ensure they are guided by the Lord and His wisdom. It is easy to make mistakes in judgment when we rely only on our own understanding. We forfeit true blessings when we try to grow our numbers through alliances with those who have hidden agendas. It is our duty to seek wisdom from God in every incident and situation that arises. Our knowledge and experience do not prevent us from sometimes making poor moral judgments.
Taking everything to God in prayer is essential when making decisions and judgments. God provides strength, courage, and wisdom to handle opposition and see through deception. It's important to take time to carefully consider a matter rather than act quickly and face long-lasting consequences. Acting only on what we see is not only unwise but also wrong. Careful consideration allows us to look beneath the surface of a situation. This helps us apply lessons learned from past mistakes. These lessons should be considered to evaluate all aspects of a decision instead of rushing into it.
Prayer helps us recognize the reasons for our defeat, our needs, and God's will as we apply the principles of His word to a situation. Prayer provides us with the wisdom we need. "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraids not." Neglecting prayer results in a lack of discernment. It also leads to pride in ourselves and our achievements. Additionally, ignoring prayer can cause long-lasting negative consequences. It can make important matters seem trivial. We must not trust our own judgment without seeking God’s guidance to bring peace. Otherwise, we risk making serious mistakes with consequences we will have to face. However, when we turn back to the Lord, He can use us again. Blessings and battles are often close together.
The moral requirements of God were that His people remain holy and that idolatry and idolaters be completely erased from His land. “What fellowship hath he that believeth with an infidel?” The Lord God had entrusted a sacred trust to His people, but by forming alliances with the Hivites, they lost the Lord's protection. The princes made peace, but it was peace with those who were wicked. That is not God’s kind of peace. The fact that they were deceived was not an excuse. The real issue was that they had ignored the Lord and were misguided by their own limited wisdom.
The Gibeonites lied, that’s true, but I can’t do anything about what a person says, only my reaction to it. That is what I am responsible for. Often, when we investigate a matter, the responses are a mix of lies with some truth. The Gibeonites said they believed in the God of Israel. Temptation and opposition in our lives show spiritual progress that Satan wants to hinder. If everything in our lives is smooth and easy, something is really wrong. The enemy of our souls isn’t worried about us or what we will do.
Agreements and relationships entered into knowingly or unknowingly must be honored. Our perception may sometimes be clouded, which is why we need God and His word to guide us. What can we do when we have been deceived? Unintentional mistakes have consequences, and we must apply biblical wisdom appropriately to handle them. God, through Moses, instructed Israel that those from distant lands who came to live among them were to serve as helpers. The Gibeonites were given menial tasks and served Israel as bondservants, but their lives were spared. This teaches us an important lesson: we should not "lay hands suddenly" on anyone. We need God's guidance in all our decisions because opposition can come from many sources and directions.
When we commit to obeying the Lord and seeking His guidance, He will reveal to us the deception of the world’s “moldy bread” and religious flattery. Self-reliance led to defeat at Ai in battle, but forming an alliance with the Gibeonites brought the enemy right into the heart of Israel’s camp to stay. Only three days later did they realize what they had lost, but it was too late to recover from the consequences of carelessness and compromise. For centuries, the bitter fruit of this failure caused famine in the land. “Whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap” is a principle that affects nations as well as individuals.
An association of compromise: lies spoken by one, a poor covenant made by the other, results in a lasting negative effect. “Act in haste, repent in leisure” is more than a catchphrase. The consequences of a rushed, poorly advised decision must be endured for generations. Maintaining integrity is vital, even after making a mistake. There is an important and difficult lesson to learn: never forget to seek the Lord’s guidance in decision-making. His counsel should always be your first step before consulting others or making a choice.