When is Deception Wisdom?

Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said to them, "Why did you deceive us by telling us you live far away from us, when in fact you live among us? Therefore you are cursed and will always be slaves-woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God."
The Gibeonites answered him, "It was clearly communicated to your servants that the Lord your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land and to destroy all the inhabitatants of the land before you. We greatly feared for our lives because of you and that is why we did this. Now we are in your hands. Do with us whatever you think is right."
This is what Joshua did to them: he delivered them from the hands of the Israelites and did not kill them. On that day he made them woodcutters and water carriers for the community and for the Lord's altar at the place he would choose. Joshua 9:22-27

The Gibeonites rightly perceived God's proclamation to Moses. I admire their spunk in endeavouring to stay alive. They were wise in not thinking they could not defeat Israel and they were wise in choosing to make peace. However, I wonder if they had gone to Joshua and told him they wanted peace and offered to be their slaves, what would have been the outcome?

Jesus Himself said the sons of this world are wiser that the children of the kingdom. The Gibeonites used deception to stay alive.

Rahab made a treaty with Israel to stay alive. She deceived her own people and betrayed them.

As Christians we need to seek God's wisdom when dealing with the sons of the world. How would He have us behave? What are we missing? Is there a better way?

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