A Foothold Given
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So the leaders partook of their provisions, and did not ask direction from the Lord. And Joshua made peace with them, guaranteeing their lives by a treaty; and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.
But all the leaders said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we may not touch them.
This we will do to them: let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath that we swore to them.”
Point: Make sure to inquire of the LORD in your decisions. If you swear an oath, or give your word, you are required to keep it, especially if made in the name of the LORD. To do not is to invite and suffer the LORD’s wrath. A careless word or oath can open up a foothold to the enemy to exploit and cause one harm.
When we do not seek the direction from the Lord in the decisions and situations in our lives, we wil give a foothold to the enemy to exploit.
Joshua and the Israelites have just conquered Ai and returned to Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim to renew their covenant as commanded by Moses, upon taking a foothold in the land of Canaan. The Israelites crossing of the Jordan and conquering of Jericho and Ai has struck fear into the inhabitants of the promised land. The Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites have gathered together to fight against Joshua and Israel (Joshua 9:1-2).
The Gibeonites, on the other hand, acted with cunning the Bible says, and tricked Joshua and his elders into making a peace treaty with them (Joshua 9:4; 6; 11). Presenting themselves as a far off nation, having travelled so far, evidenced with dry mouldy bread, burst wineskins, and wornout clothing and footware, they present themselves as servants of their leadership seeking a treaty of peace, guaranteeing their lives (Joshua 9:15).
Why would the Gibeonites present themselves as a far off nation? It is as if they knew the playbook of God and the terms of covenant between He and Israel. According to Deut. 20:10-15, the Rules of Warfare section, we find that Israel is permitted to make peace treaties with those nations which were far off from them. Those nations would then become servants to the Israelites at forced labor (v.11). But, Israel was not allowed to offer terms of peace to those nations of the promised land that Israel was to inherit, Canaan (v.12). These people included, specifically, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, and the Hivites, of which Gibeon was (the Hivites of the city of Gibeon).
The Hivites (or Horites) were descendants from the Canaanites, who were the direct descendants of Ham - one of the three sons of Noah. Contact was strictly forbidden with the Hivites because of the real danger of Israel being led astray to worship their foreign “deities” (Deut 20:17).
So, why would the Gibeonites present themselves as people from a far off land seeking peace with Israel? Because...
Principle #1 - People will do whatever they can to preserve and survive when fear of their existence and livelyhood is threatened. People will even act deceptively to achieve their goals, even tell half-truths.
How many people and companies applied for the Covid Benefit during the lockdowns, that were not eligible or did not need the help? According to Canada’s Auditor General, $4.6 billion went to ineligible recepients during the Covid pandemic (CTV Dec 6, 2022; Rachel Aiello). The Legacy Media or Main-stream-Media received $595 Million in a Covid bailout, prior to the 2019 election, by the governing Liberals.
Daniel Savoie, a spokesperson at the Ministry of Heritage, said the objective of the emergency funding was to provide additional relief to organizations struggling with operation viability because of the pandemic.
“A free and independent press is a cornerstone of democracy,” said Savoie. “It is important that Canadians continue to have access to a variety of news sources and that the broadcasting system is an important source of news for many Canadians.”
-Canadaland, Sept. 10, 2021, Jonathan Bradley
Just how would we have survived without Chatalaine, Macleans’, or Flare and not to mention the CBC?
Hundreds of thousands of people lost jobs, freedom, homes, health and loved ones during the Covid pandemic. All of us did whatever we needed to in order to survive and prosper. To stay sane. Did you not? Did you bend the rules? or break the rules? Maybe upon further reflection you are wishing you had? Or you are satisfied with having followed everything. Why did you not receive a bailout? I know a lot of people that could have used such a blessing. We do know that the bailout provided a foothold for the government into business and people’s lives. Recieve now, and pay back later, when things are better. The bill is now due, but things are not better, but you still have to pay back what was given. Money, food, employment, housing, health, stores, etc.. can become footholds in our lives because we need them to live “and the Father knows that you need them”, but He says trust in Me for them. Have we trusted in the Lord for those things which we need, not necessarity what we desire or want?
Our church installed the technology for broadcasting our services. For what reason? To keep some semblance of community, because we were not allowed to gather to worship, for fear of transmission and infection. Rules were adhered to, for the most part, but also bent, because we are commanded not to give up meeting together, to worship God and love, build up, and edify one another; not to mention, carry one another’s burdens, pray for one another, and simply have the company of our brothers and sisters. That is the church, the body of Chist, and it is supposed to be visible and bring glory to God by living by faith, not by fear.
Did that time, did we make a treaty with those who would ensnare us? Did we inquire of the LORD first? Did we give up a foothold in the name of safety, security, and health, only to lose the favor of God, and now facing those consequences of not trust God at His Word?
As of October 20, 2023 - Health Canada admitted to, and confirmed, contamination of Pfizer Covid-19 vaccines and that Pfizer did not dislose the contamination to the public health authority. This DNA Plasmid contamination of Covid Vaccines, includes what is called the Simian Virus 40 (SV40) promoter and enhancer that some experts say is a cancer risk due to potential integration with the human genome. Two scientist, Kevein McKernana and Philip J. Buckhaults, Ph. D., discovered the presence of bacterial plasmid DNA in the mRNA Covid-19 vaccines at levels potentially 18-70 times higher than the limits set by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency.
Viral Immunologist Dr. Byram Bridle of the University of Guelph, wrote, “This is an admission of epic proportions. One must wonder why Pfizer would not disclose the presence of a biologically functional DNA sequence to a health regulator. Pfizer was required to disclose to health regulatory agencies all of the bioactive sequences in the bacterial plasmid DNA that they used to manufacture their shots.” Dr. Bridle was banned from accessing his office and laboratory for 818 total days for attempting to conduct research on manufacturer vials for analysis.
Immunologist, biologist, and biochemits Jessica Rose, Ph.D, submitted comment that “Residual DNA has been foound in the Pfizer and Moderna - and more so Pfizer - products, in older and newer vials, including the adult monovalent XBB.1.5 [vaccine].”
SV40 is frequently used in gene therapy for its unique ability to deliver genes to targeted cells; and in vaccine manufacturing process, it is used as an enhancer to drive gene transcription. Gene transcription is the rewriting of genetic information from DNA to mRNA molecule to create something new (i.e protein). One’s cells regulate transcription carefully transcribing just the genes whose products are needed at a particular moment.
The issue with Gene Therapy is the inclusion and use of foreign DNA that is not good for the human body, or produced at an incorrect time, and re-written into a person’s genetic code or made up. Essentially, rewritting the code of the human body, as to how it should function, what it should produce, and when.
Gene therapy is a medical technology that aims to produce a therapeutic effect through the manipulation of gene expression or through altering the biological properties of living cells (Wikipedia). It is a medical approach that treats or prevents disease by correcting the underlying genetic problem.
The central issue with the Covid vaccines seems to be is this - has gene therapy been activated whereby manipulation of a persons genes, through alteration of living cells, has altered the persons genetic makeup in such a way that is harmful and unnatural (the transcription of SV40 into a persons genetic makeup)? Biblically, has the use of contaminated Covid vaccines caused a foothold within a persons body, that God made and designed perfectly, that has become a doorway for further disease and physical problems, that is not of God? This goes for any treatment, vaccine, or therapy that creates a foothold for further problems and disease, even death.
[https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/canada-dna-contamination-pfizer-covid-vaccine/; https://medlineplus.gov/genetics/understanding/therapy/genetherapy/; https://www.khanacademy.org/science/ap-biology/gene-expression-and-regulation/transcription-and-rna-processing/a/overview-of-transcription]
The intention is not to declare who is right or who is wrong, but draw us to reflection - have I unknowingly, or knowingly, given a foothold in any way in my life? Have I been wise? Have I endorsed or embraced something right or wrong? Have I given ground that I should not have? Have I made peace with people, or things, that I have no business doing so, that does not glorify God, instead dishonors Him, and my committment to Him to live by faith in Him, to Him, and by Him? Have I trusted in something or someone other than the Lord God?
We tend to hammer on the footholds of alchohalism, drug addiction, adultery, and pornography because they are easy, prominent, and frankly, less of a problem for the majority of Christians. Anger is an easy one to point out as well. But what about our justifications, our logical assumptions, scientific expertise, or personal affections and indulgencies? How about avoidance? Omission? Uncaring? Do our attitudes give way to a foothold for the enemy to use? How about our opinions? Are they God’s or ours? Are they Biblical? Are they of His wisdom and understanding or of the world? Am I critical and judgmental, speaking evil; instead of being gracious, thinking better or others, and giving them the benefit of the doubt, looking for the good and loving in another? To whom does our heart belong - the world or to Jesus?
The point of establishing a foothold is a base from which one can further exploit of that which has been established or encursioned. If you ever played the game RISK you understand the importance of establishing a foothold in the continent you want to conquer. The game is actually a game of establishing and maintaining footholds, until you can accumulate enough forces and take the other player or players out and establish a base or bases of operations. You build your units, a little at a time, in this little country, and when they least expect, you attack!
That’s how the enemy the devil works in our lives; he approaches us and tempts us to make peace with him in a few little areas, that he eventually continues to stack with more and more forces, deception, temptations, and then before we know it we are defeated with and disillusioned because of the sin in our life in that area(s) which we have neglected and/or entertained for the world, it’s attitudes and treasures, giving up a foothold, which then becomes a stronghold. It becomes a stronghold because it now comes to control us. We then struggle with fear and anxiety, because if anybody dared find out, we would lose face, our status, our reputation, careers, maybe even friends and family. But probably more than anything the spectre of embarrasement; we should know better.
We maybe should, and probably do, but then Adam and Eve still took the apple and bit it. They knew more than better, they had a direct relationship with God and they still fell to the bait of Satan. But in Jesus Christ we have forgiveness, redemption, and restoration because of His shed blood and sacrifice of Himself for you and me. We need only to be repentant, confessing our sin and ask for His forgiveness.
But now He has reconciled you by His physical body through His death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him —
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace,
The Gebeonite Ruse Discovered and the Outcome
When the ruse of the Gibeonites was discovered, Joshua and the Israelites realized that they had been duped, and made a serious error before the LORD God. They rode to Gibeon and asked the Gibeonites why they had acted deceptively with them (Joshua 9:17; 22-24). The Gibeonites responded to Joshua,
They answered Joshua, “Because it was told to your servants for a certainty that the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you—so we feared greatly for our lives because of you and did this thing.
We can agree that that was a very human, a very logical response, if your life and livelihood is threaten, I am going to do whatever I can to survive. I may fight, I may act with deception, but you can be guaranteed I am going to do something to ensure me, and my families survival. I would attempt to establish a foothold of life.
As was the case, Joshua and the elders knew that they could now do nothing to rid themselves of the Gibeonites for according to God’s Law, once an oath was made in the LORD’s name, the oath was to be honored …even if their was deception. It was on Joshua, and the elders, to determine if the Gibeonites were being truthful.
You shall not swear by my name falsely, and so profane the name of your God: I am the Lord.
Exodus 20:7 (ESV)
“You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not hold him guiltless who takes his name in vain.
The word ‘vain’ [7723] שָׁוְא šāwʾ primary meaning is deceit, lie, or falsehood. No one is to take the LORD’s name and use it with deceit, in lying, or in falsehood. Joshua and Israel would bring dishonor and shame to the name of the LORD if they broke their treaty with the Gibeonites. They would profane or defile God’s glory, which is His name. Also, they would suffer the wrath of God. Joshua says, Joshua 9:20
Joshua 9:20 (ESV)
This we will do to them: let them live, lest wrath be upon us, because of the oath that we swore to them.”
The word translated wrath [7110] קֶצֶף qeṣep̱ means anger aroused by someone’s failure to do a duty. It usually refers to the anger aroused in God, by people’s failure to do their duties. It is the duty of every believer and follower of God to not use the name of the LORD God in vain …falsly; lest His anger come upon you.
Joshua and the elders did not want God’s wrath to come upon them. They knew the consequences could be servere; after all they had just previously experienced their defeat at the hands of Ai, because they refused to inquire of the LORD God before they went to battle with Ai.
Principle #2 - Keep your oath so that things may go well with you.
If you say you are going to do something, do it! Do not give your Jesus says, Mt 5:33-34
“Again you have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform to the Lord what you have sworn.’ But I say to you, Do not take an oath at all, either by heaven, for it is the throne of God,
or by the earth, for it is his footstool, or by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the great King. And do not take an oath by your head, for you cannot make one hair white or black.
Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil.
What is being said here is this - false swearing dishonours not only the one who swears but also and more importantly that by which the oath has been sworn. So if there is a chance of dishonoring God, do not do it. A man’s word should be good and acceptable; anything more is of the evil one. Note: There was also an ancient teaching, that probably needs to be renewed today, that swearing is a proof, not of good faith, but of faithlessness’ (Spec. leg. 2.8; cf. De decal. 84).
The Mistake of Not Seeking God’s Direction
As it is, Joshua and the elders repeated the same mistake …they did not inquire of the LORD as to whether or not they should enter into a treaty with the Gibeonites.
So the leaders partook of their provisions, and did not ask direction from the Lord.
Principle #3 - People can be, and will be deceived, in this world, even while doing everything one can, to discover the truth, without God.
Principle #4 - The LORD God will give you an answer if you seek His direction.
For you people will live on Zion in Jerusalem and will never cry again. He will show favor to you at the sound of your cry; when He hears, He will answer you.
and whenever you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear this command behind you: “This is the way. Walk in it.”
When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come.
A man’s steps are established by the Lord,
and He takes pleasure in his way.
Though he falls, he will not be overwhelmed,
because the Lord holds his hand.
[Illustration] Two Cars to Sell
Shortly after Lynnette and I were married, I was approached by two gentlemen about if I wanted to sell my two cars. I had an Integra that we actively drove, a toyota tercel that was beat up, but ran well, and a second Integra that was in the back alley, that was given to me by some friends from Saskatchewan, for a parts car, as it would not pass inspection.
I turned them down, but about a month later they returned, seeing my cars were still there. Their proposal was, they would repair and sell my cars for me, and take a little profit for themselves. I was very suspescious, but they had returned a second time, with a receipt book, their identification, which they allowed me to photocopy, and more importantly their addresses, so in case they tried to pull a fast one, I knew where they lived. I might as well had “GULLIBLE” written across my forehead. I agreed and I gave them the keys.
Now, just so we are clear, the second Integra did not run, and needed a lot of work for it to become road worthy, a lot of work. I explained this to them, but they seemed to think they could do whatever needed to be done for little money compared to the profit “we” would make.
Long story short, I lost two cars. I called them after a week to see how they were progressing and they said their was a lot more work than they thought. After the second week they would not answer. I drove over with a friend and they would not answer the door and I did not see my cars. I had the evidence that I needed to pursue legal action - I had a receipt for the cars, written for under $5000, and their personal information, with all my notes on the actions I had taken.
Under $5000 is the key element. The police would not prosecute anyone for theft under $5000. I would have to pursue them at small claims court. The likelihood of obtaining a verdict in my favor was good, but of collecting my cars, or the cash for what they were sold for, not so much. I did not pursue any action as I realized what a fool I had been. I tried to be smart and wise, to do what I thought I could to protect myself from being taken, but did not do enough. I should have just stuck to my guns and said no. The temptation of an easy buck, and someone else doing the work for you, was too much.
You know how embarrasing that is to tell you all that story? Very. You know how embarrased I was to tell Lynnette? I felt so stupid and humiliated. One of the lessons I learned about trusting the world, and purchasing or selling cars, or anything for that matter. You will never be told or come to know the whole truth of a matter, or specifically know if people’s motives and motivations are true unless you inquire of the LORD.
I never inquired of the LORD about the matter; that was the most embarrasing thing about that situation, when I remember it today. I did not listen to that little voice inside me saying, “No, do not do that. Or do not trust them.”
An example of listening to the LORD? Preaching this sermon. It’s not a comfortable thing, not a popular thing, to confront the people the LORD has put under your love, care, and shepherding to speak a message about footholds that God’s people may have given up and need to repent of, confess, and seek God’s forgiveness for. Whatever foothold you and I have given up to the enemy, you need to, I need to remove it and reclaim land, before it becomes a stronghold. Why? to live in freedom from anxiety, worry, fear, or even spiritual possession or oppression. To give glory to God, if we truly love Him.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds.
We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ,
being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete.
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
The Gibeon Resolution
The Gibeonites were protected by Joshua and the elders. They were not killed. The Israelites honored their oath and the LORD God. The Gibeonites served Israel as wood and waterbearers for the Temple of God going forward. Joshua and Israel honor their oath to the Gibeonites by coming to their defence in the War against the Five Kings (Joshua 10). As you may realize, the city of Gibeon becomes the inheritance of the tribe of Benjamin, in the division of the land amongst the tribes of Israel.
Just how serious is God concerning one making an oath? During the reign of King David, recorded in 2 Samuel 21, there was a severe famine that was in existance for three years and counting. King David inquires of the LORD God, as to the reason (v.1). God’s answer? Because of the bloodguilt of King Saul, who reigned before King David. What was King Saul guilty of exactly? King Saul slaughtered the Gibeonites to death (v.2). David asks the Gibeonites what he could do to make atonement for the evil of Saul, “and bless the heritage of the LORD” (v.3). Gibeon asked for retribution by the death of seven of Saul’s sons (v.5-6). King David does so, and the Bible records, “After that God responded to the plea for the land” (v.14).
Principle #5 - Once a foothold is given by an oath, God expects you to live with it. He will not remove it. A foothold discovered can be removed, should be removed and reclaimed, before it becomes a stronghold.
Are things not going well for you - physically, spiritually, and emotionally… have you asked the Spirit to reveal to you if you have given up a foothold to the enemy? Pray, ask for God to reveal to you what is causing the disfavor of God. When you are in a posture to listen to the Holy Spirit, then take care of whatever the Holy Spirit reveals to you. Ask Him how to handle it, what needs to be done, and the Spirit will answer. You will need to repent, confess, and ask for His forgiveness and to remove what was given, and replace it with what God requires and asks.
Therefore repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus, who has been appointed for you as the Messiah.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Amen.