24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, (Lips may be a Disguise!)
but in their hearts they harbour deceit.
25 Though their SPEECH IS CHARMING, do not believe them,
for seven (FULLY given to deceit) abominations fill their hearts.
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,
but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Proverbs 26
24-26 Your enemy shakes hands and greets you like an old friend,
all the while plotting against you.
When he speaks warmly to you, don’t believe him for a minute;
he’s just waiting for the chance to rip you off.
No matter how shrewdly he conceals his malice,
eventually his evil will be exposed in public. Proverbs 26 MSG
The enemy sends people to us who sound so plausible and so friendly but it’s all false. As the Message Bible says, ‘DON’T BELIEVE THEM… THEY JUST WANT TO RIP YOU OFF!’ It may not always be about money, although the thief does come to steal our money. They may seek to trick you and ensnare you in other ways, especially in getting you to agree to do certain things. DO NOT COMMIT TO ANYTHING THAT BINDS/COMMITS YOU WITHOUT SEEKING THE LORD!
The Gibeonites tricked Israel into making a binding treaty with them which contravened the Lord’s will to destroy all the people of the land He had given them. Later, during the rule of Saul, who broke the treaty, it caused much trouble for the whole nation.
3 However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they RESORTED TO A RUSE: they went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with WORN-OUT SACKS AND OLD WINESKINS, cracked and mended. 5 They put WORN AND PATCHED SANDALS on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of THEIR FOOD WAS DRY AND MOULDY. 6 Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the Israelites, ‘We have come from a distant country; MAKE A TREATY WITH US.’ Joshua 9
The Gibeonites CAME PREPARED TO DECEIVE and they pushed and persuaded Israel, much like Delilah did with Samson to get their way.
7 The Israelites said to the Hivites, ‘But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty with you?’
Israel knew that there was a risk in Covenanting with these men.
14 The Israelites sampled their provisions (Trusted what they saw and heard and were tricked) but DID NOT ENQUIRE OF THE LORD. 15 Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.
Be careful who you give your word to, even to people you may know well. If you have ANY RESERVATIONS IN YOUR HEART DON’T AGREE ANYTHING, turn away and trust your instincts, especially where money is concerned.
May God give us wisdom to seek Him before we commit to anything today. God bless and keep you.