1 00:00:14,119 --> 00:00:17,359 Welcome to the Lansdale Life Church podcast. 2 00:00:18,379 --> 00:00:24,100 If you're seeking a closer relationship with Jesus Christ, this podcast is for you. 3 00:00:24,900 --> 00:00:27,019 Thank you for joining us today. 4 00:00:36,100 --> 00:00:47,179 So we are in chapter nine tonight, and I entitled this When It Looks Right, But Isn't. 5 00:00:48,179 --> 00:00:53,880 So as a quick recap, we came out of Joshua 8. 6 00:00:54,659 --> 00:01:08,239 So after their earlier defeat, Israel follows God's instructions and successfully now conquers I through obedience and strategy. 7 00:01:08,239 --> 00:01:17,060 So I think learnings from chapter eight are, you know, obedience brings success through God. 8 00:01:17,319 --> 00:01:24,180 So when Israel and when we follow God's guidance, we experience his victory. 9 00:01:24,500 --> 00:01:33,459 And God restores even after failure, the earlier lost eye in chapter seven, it wasn't the end. 10 00:01:34,079 --> 00:01:36,340 God gives them another chance. 11 00:01:37,340 --> 00:01:45,280 And then Joshua uses wisdom and planning all while trusting in God through chapter eight, which leads us here. 12 00:01:45,400 --> 00:01:52,099 And the chapter ends with a covenant renewal reminding Israel to stay grounded in God's law. 13 00:01:52,379 --> 00:02:04,120 So Joshua nine begins with Israel's growing reputation in the area and their military success. 14 00:02:04,120 --> 00:02:08,939 So these things have a way of spreading amongst the people. 15 00:02:09,159 --> 00:02:18,360 So the surrounding nations that are still within the promised land react, but not all in the same way. 16 00:02:18,580 --> 00:02:22,800 They react differently while some prepare for battles. 17 00:02:23,520 --> 00:02:27,060 Others turn to a more cunning approach. 18 00:02:27,060 --> 00:02:32,500 So let's start with verses one through two. 19 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:41,419 It says, now, when all the kings west of the Jordan heard about these things, the kings in the hill country, 20 00:02:41,520 --> 00:02:48,319 in the western foothills along the entire coast of the Mediterranean Sea, as far as Lebanon, 21 00:02:48,960 --> 00:02:55,379 the kings of the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Pirazites, Hizzites and Jebusites. 22 00:02:55,379 --> 00:02:56,419 It's a lot of heights. 23 00:02:57,439 --> 00:03:02,139 They came together to wage war against Joshua and Israel. 24 00:03:03,560 --> 00:03:14,759 So all of these nations mentioned here, they had several characteristics in common. 25 00:03:15,879 --> 00:03:19,159 They were all warrior cultures. 26 00:03:20,159 --> 00:03:23,520 So fighting was kind of their thing. 27 00:03:23,759 --> 00:03:27,199 Warfare and battle was just who they were. 28 00:03:28,099 --> 00:03:33,259 Kingship was a major part of their culture. 29 00:03:33,719 --> 00:03:35,780 They were polytheistic. 30 00:03:36,259 --> 00:03:40,860 They had many Gods that they believed in, and they were idolaters. 31 00:03:42,240 --> 00:03:47,879 So the Israelites would have, and we would call them pagans, basically. 32 00:03:47,879 --> 00:03:53,539 They were really a morally corrupt and lawless society. 33 00:03:53,819 --> 00:04:00,659 If you remember back in Leviticus when we were learning about the law 34 00:04:00,659 --> 00:04:07,699 and how God was instituting a set of laws and morality 35 00:04:07,699 --> 00:04:13,039 and a way of living and a way of having a society that was right. 36 00:04:13,479 --> 00:04:15,939 It was Godly. It was kingdom living. 37 00:04:15,939 --> 00:04:20,259 It was something both far into the Israelites 38 00:04:20,259 --> 00:04:23,800 but even more far into the surrounding nations 39 00:04:23,800 --> 00:04:29,180 because they were just not, they were used to living the way that they had lived 40 00:04:29,180 --> 00:04:32,360 for thousands of years. 41 00:04:32,660 --> 00:04:38,939 So they were not of the like-mindedness of Israel. 42 00:04:40,060 --> 00:04:43,220 So these surrounding kings and kingdoms, 43 00:04:43,220 --> 00:04:48,399 they unite against Israel after hearing of their victory. 44 00:04:48,879 --> 00:04:53,060 So, you know, this idea of, okay, these new kids in town, 45 00:04:53,420 --> 00:04:55,819 the Israelites are calls in a ruckus 46 00:04:55,819 --> 00:05:02,480 and not just calls in a ruckus, but they're having success. 47 00:05:03,160 --> 00:05:08,139 And, you know, when these kingdoms 48 00:05:08,139 --> 00:05:13,220 and you're watching this new group of people come in 49 00:05:13,220 --> 00:05:18,959 and you're witnessing the power that they are demonstrating, 50 00:05:19,339 --> 00:05:23,000 they don't see it the way that the Israelites see it. 51 00:05:23,040 --> 00:05:26,800 The Israelites see it as, this is God empowering us. 52 00:05:27,319 --> 00:05:30,560 And we are going out and we are taking this land 53 00:05:31,139 --> 00:05:34,839 that God has generously given to us. 54 00:05:34,839 --> 00:05:37,819 And God is with them in battle 55 00:05:37,819 --> 00:05:40,779 and God is making them mighty in battle. 56 00:05:41,279 --> 00:05:43,899 Well, these other kingdoms, they're seeing that 57 00:05:43,899 --> 00:05:48,720 and they're realizing that this is being attributed to this God, 58 00:05:48,959 --> 00:05:51,839 this foreign God they have no idea about. 59 00:05:52,620 --> 00:05:54,680 So they're afraid. 60 00:05:55,319 --> 00:05:56,120 They're intimidated. 61 00:05:57,580 --> 00:06:00,139 They're hearing of this, you know, 62 00:06:00,139 --> 00:06:05,480 but they're going to resist and their first notion is not of, 63 00:06:05,699 --> 00:06:08,620 hey, let's see if we can coincide with these people. 64 00:06:08,779 --> 00:06:12,279 It's like, hey, these guys can wipe us out one by one 65 00:06:12,279 --> 00:06:16,199 or we can rally together and put up a much better fight. 66 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:18,560 And that's really what they were doing. 67 00:06:20,780 --> 00:06:25,860 With the Israelites, we know that the spiritual momentum 68 00:06:25,860 --> 00:06:30,339 that they were gaining and the winning that they were having, 69 00:06:30,540 --> 00:06:34,779 the success that they were having, that creates a momentum, 70 00:06:35,120 --> 00:06:39,180 but it also creates new challenges 71 00:06:39,180 --> 00:06:43,139 and some of which are not as obvious as others. 72 00:06:44,319 --> 00:06:50,379 Jesus warns us about opposition that will come when we follow Him. 73 00:06:50,860 --> 00:06:53,860 So it's not, you know, it's not like the Israelites 74 00:06:54,139 --> 00:06:58,699 were facing anything new from God's perspective. 75 00:06:59,540 --> 00:07:02,259 When we look at it, it's easy to see that, okay, 76 00:07:02,399 --> 00:07:05,319 when you follow God, when you go in God's path, 77 00:07:06,079 --> 00:07:08,459 you are going counterculture, right? 78 00:07:08,600 --> 00:07:11,079 You're going, we're going against the grain. 79 00:07:11,240 --> 00:07:17,339 We're going against what society reveres as what they want. 80 00:07:17,339 --> 00:07:24,819 So the things of God's kingdom are opposite as to that of the world. 81 00:07:25,259 --> 00:07:27,800 And when we choose the path of God, 82 00:07:28,060 --> 00:07:33,240 we are choosing a path that's going to be resisted by most. 83 00:07:34,439 --> 00:07:38,459 Jesus said in John 15, 18 through 19, 84 00:07:39,259 --> 00:07:43,540 if the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 85 00:07:44,179 --> 00:07:48,079 If you belong to the world, it would love you, 86 00:07:48,919 --> 00:07:51,839 it would love you as its own, as it is. 87 00:07:52,339 --> 00:07:54,120 You do not belong to the world. 88 00:07:54,399 --> 00:07:56,980 But I have chosen you out of the world, 89 00:07:57,240 --> 00:07:59,519 and that is why the world hates you. 90 00:07:59,860 --> 00:08:01,639 So Jesus is basically saying, 91 00:08:02,199 --> 00:08:04,920 because of the path that you are going on, 92 00:08:05,560 --> 00:08:07,519 because of this path to follow me, 93 00:08:07,620 --> 00:08:12,500 because of this path to establish kingdom, 94 00:08:12,500 --> 00:08:17,500 His kingdom, we are going to not only meet with resistance, 95 00:08:18,180 --> 00:08:19,899 but we're going to meet with conflict. 96 00:08:21,160 --> 00:08:26,699 And as we know, sometimes that conflict results in even death for some, 97 00:08:26,920 --> 00:08:27,759 for the martyrs. 98 00:08:28,579 --> 00:08:31,839 So we know that. 99 00:08:36,259 --> 00:08:38,820 Verses 3 through 13. 100 00:08:38,820 --> 00:08:45,200 This is another nation that has a little bit of a different approach 101 00:08:45,820 --> 00:08:47,980 than the warring kings. 102 00:08:49,100 --> 00:08:52,940 So this is about the Gibeonite and their deception. 103 00:08:53,740 --> 00:08:56,519 However, when the people of Gibeon heard 104 00:08:56,519 --> 00:09:00,039 what Joshua had done to Jericho and I, 105 00:09:00,820 --> 00:09:02,899 they resorted to a ruse. 106 00:09:04,220 --> 00:09:06,320 They went as a delegation 107 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:10,059 whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks 108 00:09:10,059 --> 00:09:13,440 and old wineskins, cracked and mended. 109 00:09:14,659 --> 00:09:17,519 They put worn and patched sandals on their feet 110 00:09:17,519 --> 00:09:19,159 and wore old clothes. 111 00:09:20,139 --> 00:09:24,720 All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. 112 00:09:25,120 --> 00:09:29,379 Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal 113 00:09:29,379 --> 00:09:31,980 and said to him and the Israelites, 114 00:09:32,379 --> 00:09:34,259 we have come from a distant country. 115 00:09:34,940 --> 00:09:40,279 Make a treaty with us, the Israelites said to the Hiphites, 116 00:09:40,879 --> 00:09:43,419 but perhaps you live near us, 117 00:09:44,259 --> 00:09:47,340 so how can we make a treaty with you? 118 00:09:48,980 --> 00:09:51,519 We are your servants, they said to Joshua. 119 00:09:51,919 --> 00:09:56,120 But Joshua asked, who are you and where do you come from? 120 00:09:56,659 --> 00:10:00,419 They answered, your servants have come from a very distant country 121 00:10:00,419 --> 00:10:03,299 because of the fame of the Lord your God. 122 00:10:04,300 --> 00:10:09,659 We have heard reports of him, all that he did in Egypt 123 00:10:09,659 --> 00:10:14,179 and all that he did to the kings of the Amorites, 124 00:10:14,419 --> 00:10:17,059 east of the Jordan, Sion, king of Hizban, 125 00:10:17,580 --> 00:10:21,659 and Og, king of Bajan, who reigned in Ashthorpe. 126 00:10:22,620 --> 00:10:25,960 And our elders and all of those living in our country 127 00:10:25,960 --> 00:10:28,460 said to us, take provisions for your journey, 128 00:10:28,460 --> 00:10:32,279 go and meet them and say to them, 129 00:10:32,399 --> 00:10:35,779 we are your servants, make a treaty with us. 130 00:10:36,759 --> 00:10:41,320 This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at our home 131 00:10:41,320 --> 00:10:44,200 on the day we left to come to you. 132 00:10:44,379 --> 00:10:47,720 But now, see how dry and moldy it is 133 00:10:47,720 --> 00:10:51,320 and see wine skins that were filled new, 134 00:10:51,840 --> 00:10:54,299 but see how they have cracked and they are. 135 00:10:54,299 --> 00:10:57,720 And our clothes and our sandals worn out 136 00:10:58,300 --> 00:11:00,159 from a very long journey. 137 00:11:01,000 --> 00:11:04,340 They are really laying it on thick, right? 138 00:11:05,320 --> 00:11:12,200 So, I mean, they are really patching quite a story together. 139 00:11:13,179 --> 00:11:17,340 And you can tell that Joshua and the Israelites 140 00:11:17,340 --> 00:11:20,200 are a little bit suspicious of this, 141 00:11:20,200 --> 00:11:24,980 but they are still kind of moving forward. 142 00:11:25,220 --> 00:11:27,480 So the difference between the Igbenites 143 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:31,100 and these other nations is they chose deception 144 00:11:31,100 --> 00:11:34,159 and maybe a bit of diplomacy in this. 145 00:11:34,559 --> 00:11:37,279 They are using their craftiness and cleverness, 146 00:11:37,639 --> 00:11:41,220 planning and even quite a bit of manipulation 147 00:11:41,220 --> 00:11:45,860 to get their way with Israel. 148 00:11:46,179 --> 00:11:48,279 They have acknowledged God's power 149 00:11:48,279 --> 00:11:54,659 and they are kind of building them up a little bit 150 00:11:54,659 --> 00:11:57,279 and laying it on pretty thick. 151 00:11:57,419 --> 00:11:59,659 So they are acknowledging God's power, 152 00:12:00,740 --> 00:12:03,159 but they are still acting in fear. 153 00:12:03,700 --> 00:12:05,740 So the other nations were acting in fear, 154 00:12:05,879 --> 00:12:09,360 but they are acting out more violently. 155 00:12:09,960 --> 00:12:15,299 These guys are still trying to negotiate something 156 00:12:15,299 --> 00:12:18,320 because they know they don't want to be the next nation 157 00:12:18,320 --> 00:12:20,759 that Israel destroys. 158 00:12:21,820 --> 00:12:24,460 So they are using worn out supplies 159 00:12:24,460 --> 00:12:30,720 and they are putting together a very convincing story 160 00:12:30,720 --> 00:12:33,379 of who they are and where they are from. 161 00:12:34,059 --> 00:12:37,580 So a lesson here for the Israelites 162 00:12:37,580 --> 00:12:40,179 and for us is that not all threats are obvious. 163 00:12:44,159 --> 00:12:47,180 So they are not all obvious, some come in disguise. 164 00:12:48,779 --> 00:12:51,840 So when things come against us, 165 00:12:53,600 --> 00:12:55,100 sometimes they are really easy to see, 166 00:12:55,539 --> 00:12:57,279 sometimes they are really in our face, 167 00:12:57,860 --> 00:13:00,919 and sometimes they kind of sneak around a little bit. 168 00:13:01,000 --> 00:13:05,580 Sometimes they are a little whisper that comes at us. 169 00:13:05,580 --> 00:13:11,919 So we know that there are very common stories like this 170 00:13:11,919 --> 00:13:18,779 throughout the Bible in Judges 16, 4 through 21, 171 00:13:18,940 --> 00:13:20,820 the story of Samson and Delilah, 172 00:13:20,840 --> 00:13:22,700 where Delilah appears trustworthy, 173 00:13:23,320 --> 00:13:26,580 but she is really working against Samson. 174 00:13:26,740 --> 00:13:32,240 Samson engages repeatedly despite the warning signs, 175 00:13:32,399 --> 00:13:33,080 just like here. 176 00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:36,360 There are warning signs that Joshua saw 177 00:13:36,360 --> 00:13:37,940 and the Israelites saw, 178 00:13:38,279 --> 00:13:42,980 but they didn't really act on them for some reason. 179 00:13:43,460 --> 00:13:44,179 And who knows what? 180 00:13:44,440 --> 00:13:47,899 Sometimes we see red flags, 181 00:13:48,179 --> 00:13:51,440 but we want to believe the best in people. 182 00:13:52,500 --> 00:13:55,139 And sometimes we ignore red flags 183 00:13:55,139 --> 00:13:59,100 when red flags are usually there for a reason. 184 00:13:59,279 --> 00:14:02,679 So there were some red flags here that they didn't see. 185 00:14:02,679 --> 00:14:06,340 Samson, there were some red flags that he saw, 186 00:14:06,539 --> 00:14:07,860 but chose to ignore. 187 00:14:08,440 --> 00:14:11,220 2 Chronicles 18, 1 through 3, 188 00:14:11,320 --> 00:14:14,879 the story of Jehoshaphat and Ahab, their alliance. 189 00:14:15,100 --> 00:14:17,399 Jehoshaphat aligns with Ahab 190 00:14:17,399 --> 00:14:21,139 without proper discernment of the situation. 191 00:14:21,779 --> 00:14:23,899 Though he later seeks God, 192 00:14:24,220 --> 00:14:27,740 the initial alliance was unwise and unfruitful. 193 00:14:27,740 --> 00:14:33,139 So these things have a way, 194 00:14:33,299 --> 00:14:35,500 we have a way of, as humans, 195 00:14:36,039 --> 00:14:40,139 really in relationships and in situations 196 00:14:40,740 --> 00:14:44,580 where we have a tendency to maybe 197 00:14:45,459 --> 00:14:48,620 ignore some of these warning flags like this. 198 00:14:48,740 --> 00:14:53,419 And I think God wants to remind us to be discerning. 199 00:14:53,419 --> 00:14:58,639 So 2 Corinthians 11, 14, 200 00:14:58,820 --> 00:15:03,940 I mean 14 to 15 said, Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. 201 00:15:05,279 --> 00:15:09,639 It is not surprising then if his servants also masquerade 202 00:15:09,639 --> 00:15:11,519 as servants of righteousness. 203 00:15:12,220 --> 00:15:15,539 Their end will be what their actions deserve. 204 00:15:15,539 --> 00:15:23,700 You know, Jesus also warns us in Matthew 7 through 15 205 00:15:23,700 --> 00:15:25,860 to watch out for false prophets. 206 00:15:26,120 --> 00:15:27,620 They come in sheep's clothing, 207 00:15:27,759 --> 00:15:30,240 but inwardly they are wolves. 208 00:15:30,620 --> 00:15:35,320 So there are warnings throughout scripture 209 00:15:35,320 --> 00:15:39,580 to be discerning and to be weary. 210 00:15:40,179 --> 00:15:41,919 You know, the fear of God, 211 00:15:41,919 --> 00:15:44,399 you know, we often look at, you know, 212 00:15:44,460 --> 00:15:46,379 we often use that verse, you know, 213 00:15:46,440 --> 00:15:48,899 the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. 214 00:15:48,980 --> 00:15:51,399 And that's true when you're seeking spirituality. 215 00:15:52,059 --> 00:15:53,340 And when you're seeking God, 216 00:15:53,940 --> 00:15:58,940 the fearing of him really is that first kind of initial gateway. 217 00:15:59,519 --> 00:16:01,659 But for all people and for all things, 218 00:16:01,659 --> 00:16:04,299 it's not necessarily always good. 219 00:16:04,620 --> 00:16:08,980 So both of these groups had a fear of God, 220 00:16:08,980 --> 00:16:13,740 but it wasn't in seeking him, it wasn't in drawing close. 221 00:16:13,960 --> 00:16:16,519 So not all fear of God leads to obedience. 222 00:16:17,019 --> 00:16:19,519 Sometimes it leads to conflict. 223 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:22,860 Sometimes it leads to manipulation in these cases. 224 00:16:23,360 --> 00:16:26,100 So the Gibeonites acknowledged God's power 225 00:16:26,980 --> 00:16:29,240 but didn't put their trust in him. 226 00:16:29,539 --> 00:16:33,000 They more relied on deception to get in there 227 00:16:33,000 --> 00:16:38,720 and the other groups relied on their physical prowess to do it. 228 00:16:40,740 --> 00:16:43,000 Verses 14 and 15. 229 00:16:44,539 --> 00:16:46,919 The Israelites sampled their provisions 230 00:16:46,919 --> 00:16:49,279 but did not inquire of the Lord. 231 00:16:50,259 --> 00:16:54,179 Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them 232 00:16:54,179 --> 00:16:55,940 to let them live. 233 00:16:56,519 --> 00:17:00,519 And the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. 234 00:17:01,519 --> 00:17:07,099 So this is a really important scripture here. 235 00:17:08,920 --> 00:17:15,039 They examined the evidence but they didn't consult God. 236 00:17:16,019 --> 00:17:21,099 And through what they saw with their own eyes, 237 00:17:21,599 --> 00:17:24,259 ignoring again the warning flags, 238 00:17:24,660 --> 00:17:28,980 they made a binding covenant based on what they saw. 239 00:17:28,980 --> 00:17:32,920 So this is a pivotal point in the story. 240 00:17:33,079 --> 00:17:35,559 This would be what's called a story arc. 241 00:17:38,240 --> 00:17:40,400 Everything looked convincing. 242 00:17:41,700 --> 00:17:47,539 Everything looked logical to them 243 00:17:47,539 --> 00:17:52,019 except they didn't properly discern the situation. 244 00:17:52,619 --> 00:17:57,460 You know, God was not consulted, in other words. 245 00:17:57,460 --> 00:18:03,579 And the text doesn't necessarily emphasize the deception 246 00:18:03,579 --> 00:18:10,200 as much as Israel's independence and Joshua's independence 247 00:18:10,200 --> 00:18:15,960 to make their own decision based on what they saw with their own eyes. 248 00:18:16,099 --> 00:18:19,279 It doesn't mention once that, okay, 249 00:18:20,400 --> 00:18:24,680 they were unsure of this so they consulted with God 250 00:18:24,680 --> 00:18:27,299 or they went to God in prayer. 251 00:18:28,000 --> 00:18:29,500 You know, they had some suspicions 252 00:18:29,500 --> 00:18:34,900 but they didn't do their due diligence with God. 253 00:18:35,099 --> 00:18:38,720 So God calls us to be discerning 254 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:46,500 and He calls us to, in all situations, to use discernment. 255 00:18:46,799 --> 00:18:51,960 And thank God for the Holy Spirit that He's given us, right? 256 00:18:51,960 --> 00:18:58,839 Because the Holy Spirit in us gives us that ability many times 257 00:18:58,839 --> 00:19:02,180 to supernaturally discern something. 258 00:19:03,279 --> 00:19:07,160 And I don't know, you know, when you make these cross-references 259 00:19:07,160 --> 00:19:11,440 with the Old Testament, you know, there is that difference. 260 00:19:11,660 --> 00:19:14,799 I mean, there are times, lots of times in the Old Testament 261 00:19:14,799 --> 00:19:17,859 where God uses His Spirit through people 262 00:19:17,859 --> 00:19:20,579 but they didn't have what we have, 263 00:19:20,579 --> 00:19:24,039 which would be the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. 264 00:19:24,759 --> 00:19:29,039 And He will give us that power to discern. 265 00:19:30,900 --> 00:19:34,480 Our human judgment, you know, is limited. 266 00:19:35,460 --> 00:19:38,779 It certainly is limited. 267 00:19:39,660 --> 00:19:45,579 Even when things look right, we can be misled. 268 00:19:45,579 --> 00:19:49,900 But, you know, God has given us tools 269 00:19:50,660 --> 00:19:52,920 and He's given us a mind. 270 00:19:53,140 --> 00:19:56,000 You know, Paul often talks about, you know, 271 00:19:56,279 --> 00:20:01,279 the power of the mind and the ability to think through. 272 00:20:01,400 --> 00:20:03,779 So He's given us tools to think. 273 00:20:04,180 --> 00:20:07,299 And I really believe that in this situation, 274 00:20:07,920 --> 00:20:09,700 even without the Holy Spirit, 275 00:20:10,380 --> 00:20:13,839 if the Israelites and Joshua would have just listened 276 00:20:13,839 --> 00:20:15,519 to that little voice saying, 277 00:20:16,599 --> 00:20:18,519 something doesn't seem quite right here. 278 00:20:19,539 --> 00:20:22,720 And not just once, but several times. 279 00:20:23,039 --> 00:20:25,839 You could tell by the tone of how they were responding 280 00:20:26,460 --> 00:20:29,819 that they knew that there's something that's just maybe, 281 00:20:30,480 --> 00:20:32,180 you know, when you're talking to someone 282 00:20:32,180 --> 00:20:36,039 and something just seems a little off, 283 00:20:37,339 --> 00:20:38,619 you know, it might not be blatant. 284 00:20:39,039 --> 00:20:41,880 It might not be, hey, there, you know, 285 00:20:41,880 --> 00:20:45,480 it's just like coming from, completely coming from left field. 286 00:20:45,539 --> 00:20:48,779 But you just sense that something's off. 287 00:20:50,000 --> 00:20:51,059 It's the Holy Spirit. 288 00:20:52,059 --> 00:20:55,480 And He's given us that ability to discern these things. 289 00:20:55,480 --> 00:20:58,640 And we need to really, to really embrace that. 290 00:20:58,900 --> 00:21:02,019 But we have to be diligent, diligent about it. 291 00:21:02,019 --> 00:21:05,819 Because sometimes, you know, our human nature 292 00:21:05,819 --> 00:21:07,200 can get the best of us. 293 00:21:07,200 --> 00:21:12,140 Sometimes, again, we want to see the best in people. 294 00:21:14,240 --> 00:21:18,039 Sometimes we don't really want to go through all that. 295 00:21:18,480 --> 00:21:21,559 Sometimes we just want to take the easy way, 296 00:21:21,859 --> 00:21:23,359 the path of least resistance. 297 00:21:24,160 --> 00:21:29,400 So sometimes we see things and we can discern them, 298 00:21:29,619 --> 00:21:32,500 but we don't necessarily want to do the work. 299 00:21:32,779 --> 00:21:35,539 So we just choose, maybe very subtly, 300 00:21:35,539 --> 00:21:39,059 maybe subconsciously, we choose a path 301 00:21:39,059 --> 00:21:43,200 that's going to be a little bit less resistance for us. 302 00:21:43,880 --> 00:21:48,940 But Jesus Himself modeled this constant dependence 303 00:21:48,940 --> 00:21:52,900 on the Father, even Jesus Himself. 304 00:21:53,500 --> 00:21:55,680 So in John 5, 19, He says, 305 00:21:55,980 --> 00:22:00,880 very truly I tell you that the Son can do nothing by Himself. 306 00:22:00,880 --> 00:22:06,160 He can do only what He sees His Father doing, 307 00:22:06,680 --> 00:22:11,420 because whatever the Father does, the Son also does. 308 00:22:13,279 --> 00:22:19,200 Jesus Himself leaned heavily on the Father's wisdom. 309 00:22:20,819 --> 00:22:28,619 So we need to continually ask God for wisdom in situations, 310 00:22:28,619 --> 00:22:33,319 even when we feel that, hey, this is just a minor thing, 311 00:22:34,559 --> 00:22:38,019 or even if we feel in our hearts, it's like, 312 00:22:38,099 --> 00:22:42,579 oh, boy, this is going to create more work for me 313 00:22:42,579 --> 00:22:45,980 than what I want, seeking God's wisdom, 314 00:22:46,339 --> 00:22:49,059 seeking God's counsel on these things. 315 00:22:49,279 --> 00:22:52,259 James 1.5 says, if you lack wisdom, 316 00:22:53,119 --> 00:22:56,339 you should ask God who gives generously 317 00:22:56,339 --> 00:23:00,920 to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 318 00:23:01,240 --> 00:23:06,200 Proverbs 3, 5 through 6, lean not on our own understanding. 319 00:23:06,920 --> 00:23:09,759 Okay, and I think that's exactly what, 320 00:23:10,319 --> 00:23:15,799 that is exactly what Israel and Joshua were doing here 321 00:23:15,799 --> 00:23:19,700 when they were leaning on their own understanding. 322 00:23:21,619 --> 00:23:24,180 So verses 16 through 18, 323 00:23:25,640 --> 00:23:29,160 three days after they made the treaty with the Givinots, 324 00:23:29,319 --> 00:23:33,700 the Israelites heard that they were neighbors living near them. 325 00:23:34,099 --> 00:23:34,880 They heard it. 326 00:23:35,819 --> 00:23:37,519 So the Israelites set out, 327 00:23:37,819 --> 00:23:41,099 and on the third day came to their cities, 328 00:23:41,859 --> 00:23:46,059 Givin, Kebirah, Beroth, Kiroth, and Jerim. 329 00:23:46,980 --> 00:23:49,759 But the Israelites did not attack them 330 00:23:49,759 --> 00:23:54,319 because the leaders of the assembly had sworn an oath to them 331 00:23:55,059 --> 00:23:57,619 by the Lord, the God of Israel. 332 00:23:57,920 --> 00:24:01,880 So the whole assembly grumbled against their leaders. 333 00:24:02,440 --> 00:24:05,220 So the truth now is revealed. 334 00:24:05,539 --> 00:24:06,319 They were deceived. 335 00:24:06,900 --> 00:24:09,559 The deception has been discovered, 336 00:24:09,559 --> 00:24:16,019 but in all of that, Israel is still honoring its covenant. 337 00:24:16,619 --> 00:24:21,339 You know, the leaders chose integrity over convenience. 338 00:24:21,940 --> 00:24:25,359 So instead of just rolling in there and wiping them out, 339 00:24:25,640 --> 00:24:28,619 they honored the covenant that they made. 340 00:24:29,019 --> 00:24:34,740 So even when covenants are made in error, 341 00:24:34,740 --> 00:24:39,420 God still holds us accountable for those. 342 00:24:40,440 --> 00:24:45,039 And, you know, we can say something 343 00:24:45,740 --> 00:24:49,299 and then situations change and we can make excuses, 344 00:24:50,019 --> 00:24:52,019 but that's a covenant that we made. 345 00:24:52,799 --> 00:24:55,079 The Pharisees were brilliant, 346 00:24:55,539 --> 00:24:58,660 and Sadducees were brilliant at this. 347 00:24:58,660 --> 00:25:04,660 They would make covenants, 348 00:25:05,380 --> 00:25:11,619 and then if something else came along that was more important to them, 349 00:25:12,039 --> 00:25:17,259 they would be able to shift and kind of re-up that covenant. 350 00:25:17,740 --> 00:25:19,299 So in other words, they would say, 351 00:25:19,400 --> 00:25:21,799 you know, if they swore a covenant, you know, 352 00:25:22,579 --> 00:25:26,839 on the, say, the gold of the temple, you know, 353 00:25:26,839 --> 00:25:29,740 then they wanted to change that, 354 00:25:29,839 --> 00:25:31,900 then they would find something that was higher 355 00:25:31,900 --> 00:25:34,180 or even more important than the gold of the temple. 356 00:25:34,279 --> 00:25:38,519 Well, this promise I'm making on this, well, on this. 357 00:25:38,960 --> 00:25:43,200 So they would layer these things on so they could get out of something. 358 00:25:43,819 --> 00:25:49,119 And that's just not what God has for his people. 359 00:25:49,420 --> 00:25:53,420 We are to honor, you know, God values faithfulness, 360 00:25:53,420 --> 00:25:57,579 and he, there's, you know, our word is our word, 361 00:25:57,880 --> 00:26:00,039 and it's important. 362 00:26:01,380 --> 00:26:08,480 I work with a group of former convicts 363 00:26:08,480 --> 00:26:11,119 that are transitioning into society, 364 00:26:11,380 --> 00:26:16,220 and one of the things that I often talk to them about is character. 365 00:26:17,259 --> 00:26:22,119 You know, our character really says who we are. 366 00:26:22,119 --> 00:26:25,059 When we say we're going to do something, you know, 367 00:26:25,140 --> 00:26:29,519 if we don't do it, that shows a flaw in our character. 368 00:26:29,799 --> 00:26:32,339 If we try to find a way out of something, 369 00:26:32,839 --> 00:26:34,680 that shows a flaw in our character, 370 00:26:34,680 --> 00:26:38,740 and God wants us to be people of character and integrity, 371 00:26:39,259 --> 00:26:43,539 and it means keeping our words even if it costs us something. 372 00:26:45,579 --> 00:26:51,819 So God allows consequences, but still even works within them. 373 00:26:52,259 --> 00:26:59,359 So, you know, how many times have I had to live with the consequences 374 00:26:59,359 --> 00:27:04,059 of poor decisions that I've made, you know, 375 00:27:04,099 --> 00:27:08,400 and not just in the air of my youth, you know. 376 00:27:08,400 --> 00:27:13,480 Poor decisions, you know, that I've made over the years, 377 00:27:13,559 --> 00:27:17,099 and you have to live, you have to live with these things, 378 00:27:17,180 --> 00:27:22,279 because they have, you know, they can carry weight, 379 00:27:22,279 --> 00:27:24,680 you know, for forever. 380 00:27:26,519 --> 00:27:29,420 And that's one of the things when I talk to young people, 381 00:27:29,900 --> 00:27:33,420 you know, the decisions that you make, 382 00:27:35,099 --> 00:27:40,579 you may think that you're just making a frivolous decision 383 00:27:40,579 --> 00:27:43,220 or something that results in something, 384 00:27:43,359 --> 00:27:50,559 but that decision can cost you for the rest of your life. 385 00:27:51,720 --> 00:27:55,900 You know, I made some really poor decisions in my, 386 00:27:55,960 --> 00:27:59,920 you know, in my younger years, as some of you know, 387 00:27:59,920 --> 00:28:07,579 and in my early, early 20s, I spent some time in prison, 388 00:28:08,839 --> 00:28:11,720 and I'm a convicted felon. 389 00:28:13,000 --> 00:28:16,819 Well, that was when I was 20. 390 00:28:18,180 --> 00:28:25,279 I'm 63 now, believe it or not, but I'm not as old as Ken. 391 00:28:26,919 --> 00:28:30,140 And Ken's not as old as Ron's. 392 00:28:32,619 --> 00:28:35,960 I digress. Right, right, we do. 393 00:28:36,980 --> 00:28:43,579 So my life turned around. For sure it did. 394 00:28:43,900 --> 00:28:48,500 And my life got better than I could ever have imagined it, 395 00:28:48,599 --> 00:28:55,259 you know, finding God and serving God and, you know, 396 00:28:55,259 --> 00:28:58,559 and having a wonderful family and just, you know, 397 00:28:58,839 --> 00:29:00,960 being blessed with a business. 398 00:29:02,779 --> 00:29:08,400 But there was a time early in my business when I needed a loan. 399 00:29:10,059 --> 00:29:17,519 And I didn't have enough collateral to get a loan from the bank. 400 00:29:18,339 --> 00:29:20,500 So they said, well, we can get you an SBA loan, 401 00:29:20,700 --> 00:29:22,420 a small business association loan. 402 00:29:22,420 --> 00:29:26,279 So as I'm filling out the application, 403 00:29:27,140 --> 00:29:28,720 have you ever been convicted of a felony? 404 00:29:30,700 --> 00:29:31,019 Yes. 405 00:29:32,359 --> 00:29:35,559 I couldn't get an SBA loan. 406 00:29:36,019 --> 00:29:39,720 I couldn't get a loan, ever, ever. 407 00:29:40,599 --> 00:29:45,900 I mean, that really put a hindrance on my business. 408 00:29:46,599 --> 00:29:48,220 So we had to have a work around, 409 00:29:48,460 --> 00:29:51,740 so my wife, you know, who's goody two-shoes all her life, 410 00:29:51,740 --> 00:29:52,660 she got the loan. 411 00:29:53,819 --> 00:29:57,180 But that, the decisions that I made when I was young 412 00:29:57,740 --> 00:30:03,119 had consequences, even though it was when I was 20 413 00:30:03,119 --> 00:30:05,480 and I was much older and much wiser 414 00:30:05,480 --> 00:30:07,180 and not living like that anymore, 415 00:30:07,380 --> 00:30:09,720 had consequences for the rest of my life, 416 00:30:10,640 --> 00:30:11,660 the rest of my life. 417 00:30:12,220 --> 00:30:13,640 And we all have things like that, 418 00:30:14,059 --> 00:30:15,140 decisions that we have made 419 00:30:15,140 --> 00:30:18,480 that have the consequences that go along with it. 420 00:30:18,480 --> 00:30:20,980 Does that stop God from moving in our life? 421 00:30:21,420 --> 00:30:22,680 No, it does not. 422 00:30:23,160 --> 00:30:27,200 In fact, it can even cause him to move in greater ways, 423 00:30:27,380 --> 00:30:30,880 but it doesn't erase or negate the consequences 424 00:30:31,480 --> 00:30:34,160 of those things that happen, right? 425 00:30:34,700 --> 00:30:37,059 And that's what we're experiencing here, 426 00:30:37,519 --> 00:30:43,180 is they are now seeing the results 427 00:30:43,180 --> 00:30:46,160 of the consequences that they had. 428 00:30:46,160 --> 00:30:48,700 And they can be, and they are, 429 00:30:48,819 --> 00:30:52,000 teachable moments when we allow them to be. 430 00:30:52,259 --> 00:30:55,279 You know, grace, God's grace doesn't erase 431 00:30:55,279 --> 00:30:58,980 the consequences and the responsibility for it, 432 00:30:59,099 --> 00:31:02,579 but it transforms how we respond, or it should, 433 00:31:02,859 --> 00:31:05,559 and that's how God, that's how our God works. 434 00:31:08,180 --> 00:31:12,460 So this is a long, a long bit here. 435 00:31:12,839 --> 00:31:14,700 So 19 through 27. 436 00:31:14,700 --> 00:31:18,079 And I don't know why they broke this verse up, 437 00:31:18,259 --> 00:31:20,059 because this really kind of goes with the other one. 438 00:31:20,140 --> 00:31:23,299 The whole assembly grumbled against its leaders, 439 00:31:24,259 --> 00:31:27,660 but all of the leaders answered, 440 00:31:28,220 --> 00:31:31,400 we have given them our oath by the Lord, 441 00:31:32,099 --> 00:31:36,920 the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. 442 00:31:38,180 --> 00:31:40,759 This is what it's due to them. 443 00:31:40,759 --> 00:31:45,299 We will let them live so that God's wrath will not fall 444 00:31:45,299 --> 00:31:49,079 on us for breaking the oath we swore to them. 445 00:31:49,660 --> 00:31:54,539 They continued, let them live and let them be woodcutters 446 00:31:54,539 --> 00:31:58,140 and water carriers in the service of the whole assembly. 447 00:31:58,559 --> 00:32:01,839 So the leader's promise to them was kept. 448 00:32:02,940 --> 00:32:03,599 Water carriers. 449 00:32:04,879 --> 00:32:06,359 That's rough. 450 00:32:07,139 --> 00:32:10,259 So then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, 451 00:32:11,279 --> 00:32:13,359 why did you deceive us by saying, 452 00:32:13,960 --> 00:32:18,180 we live a long way from you while actually you live near us? 453 00:32:18,920 --> 00:32:20,500 You are now under a curse. 454 00:32:20,720 --> 00:32:24,380 You will never be released from service as woodcutters 455 00:32:24,380 --> 00:32:27,019 and water carriers for the house of God. 456 00:32:27,380 --> 00:32:30,980 They answered Joshua, your servants were clearly told 457 00:32:30,980 --> 00:32:35,059 how the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses 458 00:32:35,059 --> 00:32:39,380 to give you the whole land and to wipe out 459 00:32:39,380 --> 00:32:41,880 all the inhabitants before you. 460 00:32:42,220 --> 00:32:45,059 So we feared for our lives because of you. 461 00:32:46,519 --> 00:32:48,259 And that is why we did this. 462 00:32:49,319 --> 00:32:51,039 We are now in your hands, 463 00:32:51,319 --> 00:32:54,599 due to us whatever seems good and right to you. 464 00:32:54,799 --> 00:32:58,000 So Joshua saved them from the Israelites 465 00:32:58,000 --> 00:32:59,940 and he did not kill them. 466 00:33:00,599 --> 00:33:03,480 That day he made the Gibeonites woodcutters 467 00:33:03,480 --> 00:33:06,519 and water carriers for the assembly to provide 468 00:33:06,519 --> 00:33:09,420 for the needs of the altar of the Lord 469 00:33:09,420 --> 00:33:12,359 at a place where the Lord would choose. 470 00:33:13,180 --> 00:33:16,700 And that is what they are to this day. 471 00:33:17,420 --> 00:33:20,539 So this clearly states the why, 472 00:33:21,180 --> 00:33:24,940 is they were literally in fear of their own existence. 473 00:33:25,299 --> 00:33:29,019 They were watching what was going on 474 00:33:29,019 --> 00:33:32,380 and they said, we don't want to be the next group 475 00:33:32,380 --> 00:33:34,220 that gets wiped out. 476 00:33:35,400 --> 00:33:38,259 We don't want to be taken away. 477 00:33:38,460 --> 00:33:42,859 So they knew of the power of God. 478 00:33:43,559 --> 00:33:46,279 They seen it and they didn't want to be victimized. 479 00:33:47,059 --> 00:33:52,400 So they put this whole scheme together to try. 480 00:33:52,619 --> 00:33:54,240 I guess they thought somehow, 481 00:33:54,559 --> 00:33:57,119 as powerful as God was, 482 00:33:57,279 --> 00:34:00,039 that they would still be able to deceive him. 483 00:34:00,039 --> 00:34:02,440 And they didn't, they deceived the people. 484 00:34:03,140 --> 00:34:06,339 So they were spared and made into woodcutters 485 00:34:06,339 --> 00:34:07,420 and water carriers. 486 00:34:08,260 --> 00:34:10,940 But they became part of the community, right? 487 00:34:11,320 --> 00:34:12,940 So I guess, in a way, 488 00:34:14,039 --> 00:34:18,019 their little trickery kind of worked for them. 489 00:34:18,340 --> 00:34:20,880 I guess it's better to be a water carrier 490 00:34:20,880 --> 00:34:22,559 and a woodcutter in the kingdom 491 00:34:22,559 --> 00:34:25,659 than to be wiped out, right? 492 00:34:27,179 --> 00:34:32,940 So God's justice and mercy often work together. 493 00:34:34,239 --> 00:34:36,659 They often coincide together. 494 00:34:37,619 --> 00:34:42,599 And even outsiders can find a place among God's people. 495 00:34:42,780 --> 00:34:46,179 God can redeem flawed beginnings. 496 00:34:47,519 --> 00:34:53,260 We know that from our journey here in the Old Testament 497 00:34:53,260 --> 00:34:55,380 and what we know of the New Testament, 498 00:34:55,380 --> 00:34:58,360 we know that God wants his people 499 00:34:58,360 --> 00:35:00,880 to be welcoming of the outsiders. 500 00:35:01,920 --> 00:35:10,139 We know that God doesn't want people to be treated less. 501 00:35:10,699 --> 00:35:15,659 They are still to provide for the poor and for the needy 502 00:35:15,659 --> 00:35:17,440 and for those that don't have. 503 00:35:18,019 --> 00:35:20,619 We're going to be learning a bit about that 504 00:35:20,619 --> 00:35:22,940 on Sunday morning. 505 00:35:23,219 --> 00:35:24,900 So God welcomes the outsiders. 506 00:35:25,179 --> 00:35:26,579 This is a good example. 507 00:35:27,320 --> 00:35:29,780 And we also know that servanthood, 508 00:35:30,599 --> 00:35:32,840 even these lowly positions, 509 00:35:33,719 --> 00:35:37,019 servanthood can be a pathway to God. 510 00:35:38,059 --> 00:35:41,800 Even the lowliest of work in the kingdom 511 00:35:41,800 --> 00:35:45,519 is still serving a purpose and serving God. 512 00:35:45,519 --> 00:35:50,079 Mark 10, 43 through 45 says, 513 00:35:50,320 --> 00:35:51,920 not so with you, instead, 514 00:35:52,000 --> 00:35:55,199 whoever wants to become great among you 515 00:35:55,199 --> 00:35:56,800 must be your servant, 516 00:35:57,000 --> 00:36:01,300 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 517 00:36:01,800 --> 00:36:05,739 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served 518 00:36:05,739 --> 00:36:10,920 but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many. 519 00:36:10,920 --> 00:36:16,679 So serving is a way to God. 520 00:36:19,219 --> 00:36:24,139 So Joshua 9 really ultimately is teaching us 521 00:36:24,139 --> 00:36:26,940 about the spiritual dangers 522 00:36:28,000 --> 00:36:29,920 that they're not always obvious, 523 00:36:30,820 --> 00:36:34,619 and they're not always in your face like warfare. 524 00:36:34,880 --> 00:36:38,000 Sometimes they come as conflict, 525 00:36:38,000 --> 00:36:44,019 but sometimes they come in a deceitful manner like this. 526 00:36:45,139 --> 00:36:49,519 It also reminds us that even the littlest of decisions 527 00:36:49,519 --> 00:36:56,320 can have big consequences when we don't listen to God. 528 00:36:56,480 --> 00:37:00,500 Israel's mistake wasn't simply just being deceived. 529 00:37:01,159 --> 00:37:03,559 It was relying on their own understanding 530 00:37:03,559 --> 00:37:06,880 and following their own guidance 531 00:37:06,880 --> 00:37:08,900 instead of looking through God. 532 00:37:09,340 --> 00:37:12,219 And we also learned that even in our failures 533 00:37:12,219 --> 00:37:16,739 we see the importance of integrity and character 534 00:37:16,739 --> 00:37:21,219 and holding to our word and how God's grace works in that. 535 00:37:21,639 --> 00:37:23,440 So you guys always know, 536 00:37:23,659 --> 00:37:27,440 you can always count on Jamie for key takeaways, right? 537 00:37:27,440 --> 00:37:34,860 So, you know, my top key takeaways were, you know, discernment, 538 00:37:35,099 --> 00:37:38,159 true discernment requires dependence on God 539 00:37:38,159 --> 00:37:40,400 and not just looking at the evidence. 540 00:37:41,179 --> 00:37:43,280 So it requires, you know, 541 00:37:43,420 --> 00:37:46,960 tapping into that indwelling of the Holy Spirit 542 00:37:46,960 --> 00:37:49,480 that God has given us. 543 00:37:50,039 --> 00:37:54,159 Deception can often look reasonable on the surface. 544 00:37:55,420 --> 00:37:58,000 So sometimes, you know, 545 00:37:58,340 --> 00:38:01,360 something that may look too good 546 00:38:01,360 --> 00:38:05,059 might just be too good to be true, right? 547 00:38:07,639 --> 00:38:10,260 Integrity matters more than convenience. 548 00:38:11,099 --> 00:38:15,280 So, you know, integrity and character are important to God 549 00:38:15,280 --> 00:38:17,679 and we have to uphold them, you know, 550 00:38:17,679 --> 00:38:19,699 even if we find ourselves in a situation 551 00:38:19,699 --> 00:38:22,760 where we regret what we did 552 00:38:22,760 --> 00:38:24,920 and the covenants that we made. 553 00:38:26,000 --> 00:38:28,820 And lastly, you know, God can redeem mistakes 554 00:38:28,820 --> 00:38:32,780 and incorporate outsiders into his plan, 555 00:38:33,260 --> 00:38:37,079 into his kingdom, into his ways of things. 556 00:38:37,940 --> 00:38:42,619 So that is a wrap for Joshua 9. 557 00:38:42,619 --> 00:38:49,400 Thanks for joining us at Lansdale Life Church 558 00:38:49,400 --> 00:38:51,940 as we praise God and discuss His Word. 559 00:38:52,619 --> 00:38:55,659 Don't forget to join us for Worship Lives Sunday mornings 560 00:38:55,659 --> 00:38:58,079 at 10 a.m. Eastern on YouTube. 561 00:38:59,059 --> 00:39:01,179 Be blessed and have a great day!