Renewing the covenant with the Lord was a ‘mountain-top experience’ for the Israelites. Two cities had been conquered and the sin that was so debilitating had been dealt with. Fellowship with God was fresh and vibrant.
A common pattern in scripture is evident when we come into this chapter. When God’s people are doing well and prospering in close fellowship with God, their enemies are gathering. As news of the victories at Jericho and Ai spread, a confederation of kings is massing armies to ally themselves against the Israelites. No doubt these kings had a long history of conflict amongst themselves, but in accordance with the adage ‘my enemy’s enemy is my friend’, they are now united in common opposition to God’s people. So it will be down through history, ‘even unto this day’ and right up until that great army meets the returning Lord at Armageddon.
Diplomacy
The inhabitants of Gibeon had other ideas. They decided to employ brains rather than brawn! Instead of coming with an army, they decided to turn to diplomacy and ‘pretended to be ambassadors’. One of the greatest successes for the Allies in World War II was to deceive the Germans into believing that the main invasion of Europe would be across the Pas de Calais. This was achieved by creating false army groups, tanks, landing craft, radio traffic etc. sufficient to deceive the enemy. Perhaps the planners had read Joshua chapter 9, for the concept seems to have been invented by the Gibeonites; and on both occasions it worked!
Detente
Taken in by their story, the ‘men of Israel’ forgot to take counsel of the Lord. How readily they fall into the same error! Instead Joshua, apparently on the very day that they met them, made peace and a covenant with the Gibeonites and guaranteed their safety with an oath.
Deceit
It took only three days to uncover their story and expose the Gibeonites’ deceit. Caught out by their haste in swearing an oath with them, the Israelites now find themselves compromised and unable to deal with them as God had intended. Instead, the Gibeonites become their servants.
Too often we are deceived and make accommodations with people, situations and other matters that leave us compromised. Haste and a lack of communication with their God had been their folly again.
Reports
The assembly in Tayport had the Bible Exhibition in their recently extended and refurbished hall at the beginning of September and it proved to be a very profitable week.
The small assembly in Stornoway on the island of Lewis must be one of the most isolated in the UK, and does not get many visitors.
4 weeks of Tent meetings on a School playing field in Bicester with Frank Sona and Marvin Derksen in August saw over 70 unsaved in attendance and one young girl professing to be saved.The children's meetings in the mornings of the first week, conducted by local brethren, saw new contacts being made.
Alan Barber writes about the Tall Ships opportunity in Hartllepool
The small assembly in Stromness again used the occasion of the annual July “shopping week” to reach out with the gospel.
Outreach and Encouragement
Here are a number of reports for Co. Antrim and also notice of some forthcoming meetings D.V.
Belmont Hall, Harrow, held its 21st Annual Holiday Bible Club for 3 hours every afternoon from 26th-30th July. The theme for the week was the “I am” sayings of Christ. About 45 attended each day. The assembly was very encouraged that over half of the children were new contacts, with some very keen to join the Sunday School and mid-week children’s meeting when they resume in September.
The assembly at Chappell Street invited Stephen Grant to conduct a series of gospel meetings in June. There was good support from other assemblies in Renfrewshire.The assembly was encouraged by the attendance of some from the town who must have been challenged by the powerful messages delivered each night. The gospel was also brought before the town in the many invitations distributed before and during the meetings. We pray that we shall yet see fruit from the seed sown.
Tent meetings began in late July. Good response in the morning children's meetings and help to preach in the evenings for Frank Sona and Marvin Derksen (Canada).
Nitish and Elen Patel write in their newsletter;
Gospel meetings with Roland Pickering.
Alan Barber reports from Hartlepool.
Various Reports from NI at end June
Various meetings to be held D.V. for your prayerful interest and support.
J Rogers was with this small assembly for the four weeks of June. 10,000 invitations were distributed. Good numbers attended, some local, others from neighbouring assemblies. M Radcliffe helped for the first 2 weeks and W Fenton for the last 2 weeks. There was help to preach and the Christians were encouraged. Prayer appreciated for this needy area.