Daily Devotional for Monday, September 26

Tricked by the Gibeonites

In late September 1864 Confederate General Nathan Bedford Forrest was leading his troops north from Decatur, Alabama, toward Nashville. But to make it to Nashville, Forrest would have to defeat the Union army at Athens, Alabama. When the Union commander, Colonel Wallace Campbell, refused to surrender, Forrest asked for a personal meeting, and took Campbell on an inspection of his troops. But each time they left a detachment, the Confederate soldiers simply packed up and moved to another position, artillery and all. Forrest and Campbell would then arrive at the new encampment and continue to tally up the impressive number of Confederate soldiers and weaponry. By the time they returned to the fort, Campbell was convinced he couldn't win and surrendered unconditionally! 

The Bible is filled with stories of intrigue, scheming, daring battles and intense drama. As Joshua and Israel were conquering the armies of Canaan, God’s power and favor became well known. Many of the nations of Canaan were destroyed by the modestly sized army of Israel due to God’s power. Israel’s overwhelming victories led the Gibeonites to plot a scheme for their own survival. 

Like General Forrest, the Gibeonites schemed and disguised themselves as travelers rather than an enemy army. Joshua and the people of Israel fell for the ploy and made peace with the supposed nomads, allowing them to make their home among the people of God. This matter caused much descension among the people of Israel once they realized they had been fooled.

JUST A THOUGHT: Satan is a master deceiver. He is always on the job of scheming and manipulating to mislead God’s people and cause great confusion. Be aware of his ploys. 

Steve Ridings