Joshua 9 illustrates the tension that runs throughout the entire book of Joshua – God is giving the land to His people, and yet they must take it. So sometimes they must fight, but they must also, always, pray and faithfully obey God.
This text shows us the enemy’s attacks are sometimes forceful, but more often subtle. At the same time, we must beware of falling into the subtle trap of the unbelief of prayerless presumption. And in the end, we see the overruling mercy of God.
Scripture: Joshua 9; Colossians 3:15; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Proverbs 3:5-7; James 4:2; Deuteronomy 20:10-18; Numbers 27:21; Deuteronomy 29:10-12