The Gibeonites Deceive Israel.. Josh9

When the leaders sampled these men's provisions, they saw that the bread was dry and moldy, the wineskins were split open, and the clothes ans sandals worn out. But they did not see through the deception. After the promise had been made and the treaty ratified, the facts come out--Israel's leaders had been deceived. The oath was not nullified by the Gibeonites trikery.

God had specifically instructed Israel to make no treaties with the inhabitants of Canaan. As a strategist, Joshua knew enough to talk to God before leading his troops into battle. But the peace treaty seemed innocent enough, so Joshua and the leaders made this decision on their own. By failing to seek God's guidance and rushing ahead with their own plans, they had to deal with angry people and an awkward alliance. Once again, they had forgotten to go to God; yet how often we do the same. A new situation arises, and we forget to seek God's wisdom and guidance. When we learn the lessons of the past and apply them to today, wa save ourselves a lot of trouble.