Faced with a group of strangers seeking a peace treaty, the Israelites react with a combination of practical earthly steps and a notable lack of spiritual caution. The people involved in this encounter are the everyday Israelites who happen to be present at the time, rather than Joshua or the official leadership [ביאור שטיינזלץ].
As the Israelites interact with these strangers and handle their supplies, commentators offer different ways to understand the nature of the exchange. A straightforward approach suggests a physical act of sharing food. By eating together, the Israelites aim to establish a pact, build trust, and show friendship, exchanging gifts as one naturally does with guests [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Since the Israelites have no ambition to conquer the entire world—their goal is strictly the land of Canaan—they see no harm in befriending people who appear to come from a distant country [ביאור שטיינזלץ].
Alternatively, the interaction is viewed not as a shared meal, but as a mental deduction. The Israelites examine the dry, stale food brought by the strangers and accept it as hard evidence. By taking this physical proof to heart, they conclude that the strangers are telling the truth and choose to believe them [מצודת דוד, רד״ק, מלבי״ם]. In this light, the act of taking is actually about learning and reaching a logical conclusion [רד״ק].
A third perspective reads the encounter as a metaphor for deception. The act of accepting the supplies represents agreeing with the strangers' story. The concept of their provisions is deeply linked to the idea of a hunt or a trap. Ultimately, the strangers capture the Israelites not with weapons, but with smooth, deceptive words [רש״י].
Despite being fully convinced by the physical evidence presented to them, the Israelites face sharp criticism for their decision-making. They rely entirely on what they can see with their own eyes and fail to consult God. Even though they have the ability to uncover the absolute truth and expose the fraud by seeking divine guidance through the Urim and Thummim, they completely avoid making this spiritual inquiry [מלבי״ם].