Joshua 9

I kinda like this chapter. Here you've got people who obviously know the Israelites have God's power behind them, and that power is historically smiting people (I love the word "smite", btw). Instead of going and being honest and saying, "Hey, have mercy on us! Pray to your god to have mercy on us!", they decide to dress up as poor weary travelers.

There's an important little note here. The men of Israel, including Joshua, are wary of the men. They ask a bunch of questions, sample their food and drink, etc. But the text says "They did not inquire of the Lord." So you know...they didn't do the most important thing.

In the end, the guys who lie kinda get away with it, but not, because their lives are spared but they have to be woodcutters and water carriers forever. Israel chooses, for once, to obey God and keep a promise. Kinda funny really.

I wish I could say I drew some profound thing from this passage but I didn't. Except that Israel should've talked to them about God. :)