When those living in Gibeon heard how Joshua defeated Jericho and Ai, they plotted to make a deal to preserve their lives. They took worn out clothes, aged food and wineskins, and came to Joshua at Gilgal saying, “…’We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us.’” (6b). Israel was suspicious they lived in their land, but they spoke with humility saying they lived far away and were not a threat. Our enemies often appear, to the natural man, to be no threat to us. “So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the LORD.” (14) Instead, Israel evaluated the evidence and made a deal with their enemy. In this way they failed to honor God’s word to Joshua: “…be careful to do according to all the law…” (Joshua 1:7b). Let us be careful not to trust our natural perceptions, for we may be making a deal with our enemies. Let us humbly seek God’s counsel and not lean on our own understanding (Prov. 3:5).