DECEPTION, GULLIBILITY AND INTEGRITY (PVL)

(Joshua 9:1-10:28)
A Message by Rev. Dr. Vincent Leoh on 15th & 16th May 2000

The first two verses of Joshua 9 describe the kings, who were in the hill country of Judea and the lowland all along the Mediterranean Coast, entering into an alliance to fight against Joshua.

However, a few miles north of Jerusalem, several Hivite towns, coordinated by the leaders of Gibeon, concluded that it was better to give in than fight. Fearful of annihilation, either through defeat in battle or by straightforward surrender, they worked out a crafty strategy that became a classic case of deception.

I. DECEPTION
(9:1-13)

1. Lies, Lies, Lies

• The Lies of Gibeonites (:3-13). Of all liars “religious liars” are the worst (:9).
• The Lie of Satan (John 8:44).
• Last Days Deception (2 Pet.2:1-3).

2. Areas of Deception

• Intellectual
• Business
• Marriages

Scriptural Examples: Jacob, David, Ananias and Sappira

3. The Problem with Lies and Deception:

• Lies shall be exposed.
• Deception only pays temporarily, never ultimately.
• Wrong, even in the pursuit of good, is not justified.
• An unexpected cover-up only makes the penalties greater.

II. GULLIBILITY
(9:14-15)

1. There is a gullibility that is genuine confusion. You are sincere but sincerely wrong.
2. There is also a gullibility that comes from a misplaced confidence. We have to learn that we can’t trust everybody.
3. Then there’s the gullibility that comes from overconfidence. We then tend to take
shortcuts.
4. But at its very root, gullibility is a spiritual problem – the failure to consult God and His Word (Josh. 9:14).

The leaders of Israel took the “scientific approach” instead of the “spiritual approach.” They depended on their own senses, examined the “facts,” discussed the matter, and agreed in their conclusion. It was all very logical and convincing, but it was all wrong. They had made the same mistake at Ai (C7) and hadn’t yet learned to wait on the Lord and seek His direction.

“If any of you really determines to do God’s will, then you will certainly know” (John 7:17) is a basic principle for victorious Christian living. Certainly we ought to use the mind God has given us, but we must heed the warning of Prov.3:5-6 and “not lean on our own understanding.”

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given him.” (James 1:5)

Like Joshua and the nation of Israel, God’s people today are living in enemy territory and must constantly exercise caution. When you believe the enemy instead of seeking the mind of the Lord, you can expect to get into trouble.

III. INTEGRITY
(9:16-27)

Integrity is the key word. After having made a commitment, is it right to break that commitment because of a mistake? The story of the Gibeonites shows how important it is to keep our commitments, even when it’s ought.

1. “INTEGRITY IS DOING WHAT YOU SAID YOU WOULD.”
It is as basic as keeping your word, fulfilling your promise. For example:

You told the Lord you would give Him all the glory.
You promised you would be faithful to your spouse.
You promised your son you would play football this afternoon.
You told your boss he would have the document by a certain date.
You promised at your installation/dedication that you would be true to your calling.
You signed a contract that committed you to specific things.
You told your neighbor you would bring back the tool you borrowed.
You stated you would pray or return a phone call or pay your bil or show up at 8.00pm…etc.

No reason to complicate matters or search for excuses. Doing what you said you would do is simply an issue of integrity. Integrity evidences itself in ethical soundness, intellectual veracity and moral excellence. It is honesty at all cost, a rocklike character that won’t crack when standing alone or crumble when pressure mounts.

2. ABIDING PRINCIPLES OF INTEGRITY:
i) Seek the counsel of the Lord (Josh 9:14).
ii) Be transparent with each other.
iii) Be wise in relating with the world.
iv) Do what is right – when no one is looking or when everyone is compromising.

No one ever said it better than Josiah Holland:

GOD GIVE US MEN!
A time like this demands
Strong minds, great hearts, true faith and ready hands;
Men whom the lusts of office does not kill;
Men whom the spoil of office cannot buy;
Men who possess opinions and a will;
Men who have honor; men who will not lie!
Tall men, sun-crowned, who live above the fog
In public duty and in private thinking…

IV. TURNING BLUNDERS INTO BLESSINGS
(10:1-28)

God used Joshua’s mistake with the Gibeonites to protect Gibeon and accelerate the conquest of Canaan. He was using these events to accomplish His own purposes. Instead of having to defeat these five city-states one by one, He would help Joshua conquer them all at one time! The mistakes we make embarrass us, especially those mistakes that are caused by our running ahead of the Lord and not seeking His will. But we need to remember that no mistake is final for the dedicated Christian. God can use even our blunders to accomplish His purposes.

The miracle of extending the days (:12-15) so that Joshua could finish the battle and secure a complete victory over the enemy is the last miracle recorded in Joshua and certainly the greatest. At the end of an incredible battle Joshua performed a public ceremony where his officers put their feet on the necks of the kings, symbolic not only of the past victory but also of the victories the Lord would give His people in the days ahead. Our Lord’s enemies are the footstool at His feet; the Lord “put his foes under the soles of his feet.” (Ps.110:1;1 Cor.15:25). Through Him, we can claim victory and put our feet on the necks of our enemies (Rom.16:20).

God keeps His covenant. Never forget that God is a God of integrity who keeps His Word! We can live according to our own value schemes, independent of His love and covenant, but we’ll pay the price. Or we can elect to be faithful to Him and discover His faithfulness.

“And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith” (1 John 5:4).