Consequences

Introduction

a. It would be the rare person who has never lied. Children lie early in life. They do it to avoid expected consequences. Parents can usually tell when their child lies to them. The broken lamp didn't break on its own. Usually someone had to help it along. A child who did so accidentally may claim to have no knowledge and the child who do so by breaking the rule not to kick the ball in the house will claim that a large bird came through the window and knocked it over. Adults lie too, but they tend to be more devious in their lies. Unlike children, adults tend to have the ability to lie so that the deception is justified.

b. The adult who lies to save their marriage or to save their job can justify such lies for the good outcomes. The end justifies the means. Over 30 years ago a book entitled "The Day America Told the Truth" was published presenting the results of a national survey on American morals and beliefs. Among its findings was this: The survey indicates that there is no longer a moral consensus in America, contrasting sharply with the more unified moral views of the 1950s and 1960s. Many people create their own rules regarding morality. I don't believe it has gotten better. If morality is fluid then lying is the means to get something you want.

c. I have appreciated the integrity of many of my students over the years. I have been surprised at times when students will come to me and tell me that they cheated on a test. Or the times that a student would come and tell me they hadn't studied well and they were willing to accept the consequences. Of course, I've had students who lied to me but those are not surprising. Did you hear what I just said? We aren't surprised by the lies; we are surprised by the truth. We may want the truth but we are not surprised when the lies come. Verification of a 30 year old survey.

d. In our text today, there is deceit and there are consequences both for the deceiver and for those who were deceived. There is also a valid point to be made - the deceiver trusted God more than the deceived. That may be hard for us to accept but as we go through the text, we will not only see that this is true but we will be reminded that we are the representatives of truth in this world.

The Story

a. The covenant has been renewed at the mountains of Gerizim and Ebal. The entire nation is waiting for God's direction. They will turn soon to the south to destroy the kings of the south, but before that campaign can occur, Joshua and the leaders of Israel are presented with a test. This is a test of character. Previous tests have been seen in Jericho; the family of Achan had failed the test and Joshua had assembled the people in the area of Shechem and now there is a new test. The leaders of Gibeon deceive Joshua and the Israelite leaders. They come to Joshua seeking a treaty of peace. The deception is found in convincing Joshua and the leaders that they are from far away rather than just a few miles.

b. Gibeon was approximately 4-5 miles from Jerusalem. It is a southern city. Israel is to the north. These representatives of Gibeon would have journeyed several days to get to Shechem area. Putting on old clothes and bringing dry bread along would have made it appear as if they had traveled a long distance and certainly a distance from outside Canaan. We are not told why Joshua and the leaders are so open to making this peace treaty. What we are told is found in verse 14: "The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord."

c. Been there and done that. Spur of the moment decisions. Rationalized those decisions based on information that I had. Only to discover that my decision was not a good one and then beg God to help me out. As long as my mind works, I'll remember that day when our son told the car salesman "I'm going home and pray about the decision." To which the salesman said "The car may not be here tomorrow." And Spenser said, "If it isn't, then I will have my answer." And the salesman replied, "If you can pray, then I can hold the car till you call me tomorrow." It was a good car for Spenser.

d. Do you inquire of the Lord with frequency? Major or minor decisions. Some decisions seem instantaneous. Many decisions are not. We may not know what kept Joshua from seeking God's guidance but we know why we don't. Too busy. Too prideful. We want to do something and don't want God to get in the way. This was Joshua's lapse in judgment. He didn't seek God's direction. And there are consequences. The people turn against Joshua and the leaders. Trust is broken.

e. What is challenging is that the Gibeonites had more trust in God than Joshua did. The text tells us in verse 24 that they had heard about their God and all that had been done. Egypt, east of the Jordon, Jericho, Ai - all of it. They understood what would happen to them unless they acted. Do you see that the word LORD is in all caps? This is the name of God. Jehovah. What they are saying is that have heard who God is, not only what he had done, and they are convinced that they would rather be in the hands of God's people than to be struck down. They had faith because of what they had heard. Joshua's faith is tucked away.

Us

a. There are three lessons to get from this text. First, Gibeon becomes a place of great importance in the history of Israel. In 2 Samuel 21, there is a three year famine in Israel. David inquires of God about the cause and God responds in verse 1, "It is on account of Sal and his blood-stained house; it is because he put the Gibeonites to death." Saul in his fervency to show his leadership and connection with God broke the promise of Joshua some 400 years later. Do you think promises matter to God?

i. David put the tabernacle in Gibeon.

ii. One of David's 30 mighty men was a Gibeonite

iii. God appeared to Solomon at Gibeon and made promises to him. Solomon offered thousands of sacrifices at Gibeon to initiate his reign as king.

iv. Gibeonites are listed as those returning from Babylonian exile in Nehemiah 7.

v. They are listed as those who help to rebuild the walls around Jerusalem in Nehemiah 3.

vi. It appears that although given menial tasks as servants of Israel, God used the Gibeonites and the city in mighty ways that demonstrate that they became in integral part of Israel's fabric. God can use anyone who wants to walk trusting in him. There is a place for everyone in God's family.

b. Second, an oath given is an oath to be kept because we are representatives of God. In other words, we speak truth not deception. In verse 19, Joshua states the obvious - we made a promise and we cannot go back on our promise. This seems so obvious, but let me be clear. As a person who is following Jesus we do not lie. We make a promise and we follow through. Why? Because God's name is at stake. In a world where morality is a matter of personal preference, we must be the exception. Our God's reputation is at stake. Someone may say that there are extenuating circumstances. Before we get into the exceptions, can we at least agree on the foundation. This world may scoff at such naivete. Although most see morality as personal, most do not like it when they are lied to even though they may lie themselves. Our God only tells the truth. He cannot lie. The Hebrew writer says that when God makes a promise, he does so by his own name. Our promises are based on the integrity of God and God never lies. He always tells the truth. Satan is the liar and the father of lies and he has been lying from the beginning. As followers of Jesus let us make it clear to all, that our words belong to God not to Satan.

c. Third, since promises matter to God and God can only speak truth, do you think God will keep the promises he has made to you? The promise to always be close. The promise to never leave or forsake. The promise to give you eternal life. The promise to be faithful even when we sin. The promise to forgive. The promise to love beyond our understanding. Do you think you can trust him to keep his promises? Can you set aside your doubts and uncertainty and trust him? That's the harder question.

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