caution and compromise

Joshua 9:7-13 (JDV)

Joshua 9:7 The men of Israel replied to the Hivites, “What if you actually live among us. How could we make a treaty with you?”
Joshua 9:8 They said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” Then Joshua asked them, “Who are you and where do you come from?”
Joshua 9:9 They replied to him, “Your servants have come from a far away land because of the reputation of Yahveh your God. You see, we have heard news about him, and all that he did in Egypt,
Joshua 9:10 and all that he did to the two Amorite kings beyond the Jordan – King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan, who was in Ashtaroth.
Joshua 9:11 So our elders and all the inhabitants of our land told us, ‘Take provisions with you for the journey; go and meet them and say, “We are your servants. Please make a treaty with us.”‘
Joshua 9:12 This bread of ours was warm when we took it from our houses as food on the day we left to come to you; but see, it is now dry and crumbly.
Joshua 9:13 These wineskins were new when we filled them; but see, they are cracked. And these clothes and sandals of ours are worn out from the extremely long journey.”

caution and compromise

The Gibeonites keep up the deception, even skirting around the very issue that Joshua brings up. They know that the Israelites are determined to eliminate the competition and inhabit the promised land without the temptation of outsiders. Yet they seek the alliance that would prevent that.

This story should help believers to be cautious about compromise.

Lord, give us insight into those who would pretend to join us, but have ulterior motives.