Struggling Well With Life

Not trying to make an argument for deception, but in my Joshua readings today, the theme keeps emerging. The Gibeonites deceive Joshua and the people, and in so doing preserved their lives - now they were forced to hard labor, but they lived. Our famous lady of the evening Rahaab deceived the leaders of Jericho, and helped the spies escape to save herself and her family. And her actions were praised. Achan however deceived his own people by stealing and hiding what he stole. A deception that led to the loss of many lives, and to the assumption and appearance that God’s army was not to be feared. This deception set the stage for Joshua and the troops to deceive Ai, and lure them out and ambush them and their city. It’s tough to know sometimes. “I’m just saying” it is not always real clear.