Dusty Deceivers
“I will be with you wherever you go,” God spoke. “And now you have an important job.”
Joshua listened carefully.
“Just over this river is the land I promised to Moses,” the Lord said. “It is My gift to the Israelite people. But to win it from the nations that live there now, you must listen to My Word and obey.”
Joshua loved God, so every day Joshua studied God's Word. Before each battle he prayed for God's direction. Sure enough, the Israelites won.
They were so successful that their enemies became afraid.
“We must attack these invaders,” some of the enemies declared, “before they capture our kingdoms!”
The elders of Gibeon shook their heads. “Joshua's army is too strong,” they said. “His God is too mighty. We would never win.”
The elders thought about the matter a little longer.
Finally they said, “Instead of fighting, let's trick Joshua into promising us peace!”
The Gibeonites found a few dingy donkeys and some wrinkled, weatherworn men. They loaded the donkeys with stale, moldy bread and containers of old, sour wine. Then, dressing the old men in tattered robes and worn sandals, the Gibeonites sent the scruffy messengers scurrying to Joshua's camp.
The journey took three days, but the pack of pretenders acted like they had been traveling much longer. Huffing and puffing, they approached Joshua and his elders. “We come from far, far away,” one man panted.
“Your winning ways are known far and wide,” another said. “We'd like to be your humble friends. All you must do is promise us peace.” Holding their breath, the deceivers waited for Joshua's reply.
God had told Joshua not to make peace with the nations around Israel because those nations worshiped false gods. So, at first, Joshua and his elders were suspicious.
“How do we know you really come from afar?” they asked. “You could be enemies from nearby.”
“Don't be silly,” the tricky talkers said. “Would we be so tattered if we were close neighbors? Would these donkeys be so dusty and tired? Taste our old food. These stale loaves and sour wine were fresh when we left. They are proof we are telling the truth!”
Joshua and his elders tasted the food, and indeed it was old and spoiled. Shrugging, they said, “What harm could it do to make peace with these strangers? After all, they live far away.”
Joshua nodded. Without stopping to ask God what to do, Joshua turned to the strangers and said, “We promise you peace before God and all present. We shall never attack your people.”
The dusty deceivers could hardly contain their delight as they scurried back home with the news.
“We did it!” they cheered. “We fooled Joshua and his elders!”
But word of their dirty trick traveled fast, and the Israelites were stomping mad. Immediately, Joshua and his men set out for Gibeon. Sure enough, the journey was short.
“We want to attack!” some of the Israelites grumbled.
“What they did to us was wrong!” others fumed.
But Joshua shook his head. “We cannot attack,” he said sternly. “We promised the Gibeonites peace. And God expects us to keep our word.”
At this the angry outbursts grew louder. Joshua quieted his people once more. “Do not grumble!” he said. “We will let these liars live so God won't be angry with us. But because God does not like lying, the Gibeonites will pay for their peace.”
Joshua turned to the Gibeonites who were trembling with fear. “Because we honor God, we will keep our promise,” Joshua explained. “But because you gained this peace by deception, you will lose your freedom and wealth.”
The Gibeonites became the lowest of servants. They cut wood and carried water all day long. From that day forward, the Gibeonites caused trouble for Israel. Joshua learned that listening to God was important. Never again did he act without first asking God. And because he listened and obeyed, Joshua became a great leader.