Well guys and gals, I printed the study out yesterday and have worked on it for some time.  There were some very valuable lessons to be learned in this study.  I knew what types of protection we needed to protect ourselves and the cunning way of the devil, just had to find the scriptures for them.

One thing that Joshua and the Israelites failed to do was to pray about the decision.  If they had talked with God about it first, they may have not made the decision that they did.  The Gibeonites reacted out of fear where the Kings west of the Jordon were reacting out of anger and wanted vengance.  <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

The Gibeonites were so convincing because they used material things that showed the appearance of wear and tear that was evident when a long journey had taken place.  The Israelites saw the external evidence, but did not seek God’s guidance and Wisdom for the inner evidence.  They were deceived by one lie after another, lies that were convincing truths to their eyes.  The Gibeonites feared the Lord and they feared the Israelites because they knew they power of the Lord was with them.<o:p></o:p>

Satan uses all kinds of tricks to distract us.  He uses Fear, anger, worry, doubt, anything that he can use, he will do it.  He will try to glamourize things for us.  <o:p></o:p>

The Gibeonites are similar to Rahab in that, for both, their faith led them to lie.  Rahab lied for the unselfish act of protect the men of God, The Gibeonites lied to protect themselves.<o:p></o:p>

The Israelites took their oath seriously because they were acting upon the very order of God.  God’s word is unfailing, it will not faulter, and the Word will not change.  He does not go back on His promise, therefore the Israelites did not go back on their promise.  <o:p></o:p>

There are many ways that we can guard ourselves again the wiles of the devil:<o:p></o:p>

We must be alert in his schemes.   �?/SPAN>Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.�?SPAN>  II Cor 2:11

We must arm ourselves for battle and deceit.  Ephesians 6:13-15  tells us �?/B>Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

We must not ever let our guard down, even when things are going good.  The bible says that the devil will leave us for a season.  When things are going great is when he likes to come in and burst our bubble. 

Study 6 Summery:

Purpose: To learn how to avoid being deceived into sin.

The Gibeonites and Hivites are referred to synonymously (9:7).

The Gibeonites very cleverly didn’t say anything about the crossing of the Jordan or the conquest of Jericho and Ai. These events had happened so recently that a group traveling a long distance would not have heard of them.

Rahab was lying for faith. However she did not lie to the Israelites but to her own people. She risked her life in order to save the spies and to cooperate with God’s plan. The Gibeonites lied to Joshua and Israel merely to save their own skins. Their lies caused Israel to disobey God’s plan and threatened their spiritual safety.

Faith should lead us to action, however, that action should not be merely to save our own skins as in the case of someone who believes in Christ merely to escape hell. True faith, like Rahab’s, will lead to actions, which benefit God’s people.

"Israel had made the oath in the name of the Lord, and if they had broken the covenant, they would have dishonored the name of the Lord and brought His name into disrepute. To preserve the integrity of the Lord’s name, Israel had to keep her word. We know that Israel did right in keeping this covenant, for later in Israel’s history, Saul broke this covenant, and put some of the Gibeonites to death. As a consequence of Saul’s action, God judged the nation with a famine (2 Sam. 21:1-2)."

Now, by serving in the tabernacle, the Gibeonites were forced to do the kind of positive action their faith should have led them to do in the first place! Here they would also be learning about God, so that the Israelites would have greater spiritual influence on the Gibeonites than, the Gibeonites would have on them.

Now; In Study 7, we are going to learn how God fights for us.  I am going to post it now...If anyone has any more comments on study 6, feel free to post them and I will check back to see if I can answer any questions you may have. I feel God is truely belssing this study..God Bless All, Your sister in Christ, Betty