A ruse, in biblical terms, refers to a deceptive maneuver or strategy employed to achieve a particular end. The concept of ruse is often associated with cunning, deceit, and trickery, which are generally condemned in Scripture. However, there are instances where ruses are used by God's people to fulfill divine purposes or to protect themselves from harm.

Old Testament Examples

1. Jacob and Esau: One of the most notable examples of a ruse in the Bible is the account of Jacob and Esau. Jacob, with the help of his mother Rebekah, deceives his father Isaac to receive the blessing meant for his brother Esau. This act of deception is recorded in Genesis 27. Although Jacob's actions were deceitful, they were part of God's sovereign plan, as Jacob was chosen to carry on the Abrahamic covenant.

2. The Gibeonites: In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites employ a ruse to make a treaty with the Israelites. Fearing the Israelites, they pretend to be from a distant land and convince Joshua to make a peace treaty with them. Although the Israelites were deceived, they honored the treaty, and the Gibeonites became servants, fulfilling God's purpose in a different way.

3. Rahab and the Spies: Rahab, a resident of Jericho, uses deception to protect the Israelite spies sent by Joshua. In Joshua 2, she hides the spies and misleads the king's men about their whereabouts. Her actions, though deceptive, are commended in Scripture, and she is listed in the genealogy of Jesus (Matthew 1:5) and praised for her faith in Hebrews 11:31.

New Testament Teachings

The New Testament emphasizes truthfulness and integrity, reflecting the character of God. Deception and ruses are generally condemned, as seen in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles.

1. Ananias and Sapphira: In Acts 5, Ananias and Sapphira attempt to deceive the early church by lying about the proceeds from the sale of their property. Their ruse is exposed by the Holy Spirit, and they face severe consequences for their deceit.

2. Satan as the Deceiver: The New Testament frequently warns against the deceptions of Satan, who is described as "a liar and the father of lies" (John 8:44). Believers are encouraged to be vigilant and to stand firm in the truth of the Gospel.

3. Paul's Writings: The Apostle Paul admonishes believers to "put away falsehood" and to "speak truthfully" to one another (Ephesians 4:25). He emphasizes that deceit is incompatible with the new life in Christ and the community of believers.

Moral and Ethical Considerations

While the Bible contains instances where ruses are used by God's people, these should not be seen as endorsements of deceitful behavior. Instead, they highlight God's sovereignty and ability to work through human actions, even those that are morally ambiguous. Believers are called to emulate the character of God, who is truth, and to live lives marked by honesty and integrity.(n.) An artifice; trick; stratagem; wile; fraud; deceit.

Semi-Parasitism.
... Is parasitism, after all, not a somewhat clever ruse? Is it not an ingenious way
of securing the benefits of life while evading its responsibilities? ...
/.../drummond/natural law in the spiritual world/semi-parasitism.htm

Intrigue Triumphant
... Philip determined to take the bull by the horns, and walked with Eutyches
to the lodging of Phocas. Philip never attempted a ruse. ...
/.../chapter xlix intrigue triumphant.htm

I 1888
... This is why he employs every ruse to make us consume them in useless labour. Dear
sister, go often to Holy Communion, go very often"that is your one remedy. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/i 1888.htm

The Secret of victory
... The passionate appeal had no effect, but while Abijah was orating, Jeroboam was
carrying out a ruse, and planting part of his troops behind Judah, so as to put ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/the secret of victory.htm

Christ's Discourses in Per??a - Close of the Per??an Ministry
... But their suggestion, that Jesus should depart, could only have proceeded from a
ruse to get Him Out of Per??a, where, evidently, His works of healing [4731 ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xx christs discourses in.htm

Choosing the Tens
... He called the ruse a cruel one and not wholly safe, but he would sooner see thee
dead than despoiled by this guest of Merenra's"or any other. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter i choosing the tens.htm

Constantinople
... That was the sole object of our little ruse, and we trust that in all other
respects your wishes and comforts have been attended to.'. Oh! ...
/.../chapter xvii constantinople.htm

At Masaarah
... "Then I shall hide thee somewhere in Egypt. The ruse is not secure, but it
may serve.". She sat up and put the hair back from her face. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xviii at masaarah.htm

Blind Bartimeus
... "They call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, ruse, he calleth
thee." The words, and manner of speaking them, implies haste, and a kind of ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/blind bartimeus.htm

Epilogue: a victim of Divine Love
... Such confidence in God, of necessity stirred the fury of the devil"of him who, at
life's close, tries every ruse to sow the seeds of despair in the hearts of ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/therese/story of a soul/epilogue a victim of divine.htm

Ruse (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (n.) An artifice; trick; stratagem; wile; fraud;
deceit. Multi-Version Concordance Ruse (1 Occurrence). ...
/r/ruse.htm - 6k

Rush (35 Occurrences)

/r/rush.htm - 20k

Uruah
... bound by the consecration of a soldier (compare 1 Samuel 21:5 Deuteronomy 23:10)
and refused to do violence to his religion, so that David's ruse was in vain. ...
/u/uruah.htm - 10k

Uriah (33 Occurrences)
... bound by the consecration of a soldier (compare 1 Samuel 21:5 Deuteronomy 23:10)
and refused to do violence to his religion, so that David's ruse was in vain. ...
/u/uriah.htm - 22k

Leah (30 Occurrences)
... I, xix, 7) says of her, ten opsin ouk euprepe, which may safely be rendered, "she
was of no comely countenance." Leah became the wife of Jacob by a ruse on the ...
/l/leah.htm - 19k

Loaded (21 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:4 they also resorted to a ruse, and went and made as if they had been
ambassadors, and took old sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins, old and torn ...
/l/loaded.htm - 12k

Wineskins (7 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:4 they also resorted to a ruse, and went and made as if they had been
ambassadors, and took old sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins, old and torn ...
/w/wineskins.htm - 10k

Rural (2 Occurrences)

/r/rural.htm - 7k

Resorted (10 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:4 they also resorted to a ruse, and went and made as if they had been
ambassadors, and took old sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins, old and torn ...
/r/resorted.htm - 9k

Envoys (16 Occurrences)
... Joshua 9:4 they also resorted to a ruse, and went and made as if they had been
ambassadors, and took old sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins, old and torn ...
/e/envoys.htm - 11k

Who were the Gibeonites? | GotQuestions.org

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Ruse: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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