PRETENSE:
Joshua 9:3-6, 14-16 NKJV
[3] But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, [4] they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors. And they took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and mended, [5] old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy. [6] And they went to Joshua, to the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us.”
[14] Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord. [15] So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them. [16] And it happened at the end of three days, after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors who dwelt near them.
Pretense is another tool of deception. It happens so much to us and around us that many of us take it for granted, but it is very painful and discouraging. Those who deceive others this way are treacherous and dangerous. They deceive through their charming pretentious ways. Great care must be taken in dealing with such people.
When Israel, led by Joshua, defeated Jericho and Ai, several nations gathered together to fight them, but the Gibeonites were crafty. They knew they couldn’t win in fighting against Israel, so they pretended to be ambassadors from a far country who had come to form a treaty with Israel to be their servants. So real was their disguise and craftiness that Joshua and leaders of Israel signed the treaty without asking God. When they realized their mistake three days later, it was too late to do much about it.
Have you experienced such deception before in your life? Do you remember those who smiled with you, flattered you with praise and fancy words to worm their way into your confidence only to take advantage of you? Have encountered individuals who pretended to be poor and needy only to get their hands on your money and then immediately disappear? You felt cheated, vulnerable and disarmed, right?
Well, the devil has only a few tricks he keeps repeating. All these have been written in the Bible for our benefit. If we will study the word of God and arm ourselves with truth, we will smell such crafty people the moment they begin to ply their trade. Plus, we must never forget to inquire of the Lord. It only takes a moment of prayer!
Proverbs 3:5-7 NKJV
[5] Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; [6] In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. [7] Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
May the Lord grant us discerning hearts and minds to help us to live victoriously in this life. May we discipline ourselves to ask help from the Holy Spirit in all our decision making and in the partnerships we form in life in Jesus’s name. Amen!