Joshua 9:3-16
3 But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, 4 they on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, 5 with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly. 6 And they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant with us.” 7 But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live among us; then how can we make a covenant with you?” 8 They said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” And Joshua said to them, “Who are you? And where do you come from?” 9 They said to him, “From a very distant country your servants have come, because of the name of the Lord your God. For we have heard a report of him, and all that he did in Egypt, 10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon the king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth. 11 So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, ‘Take provisions in your hand for the journey and go to meet them and say to them, “We are your servants. Come now, make a covenant with us.”’12 Here is our bread. It was still warm when we took it from our houses as our food for the journey on the day we set out to come to you, but now, behold, it is dry and crumbly.13 These wineskins were new when we filled them, and behold, they have burst. And these garments and sandals of ours are worn out from the very long journey.” 14 So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. 15 And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them. 16 At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors and that they lived among them.
What do you do when faced with temptation? Just act impulsively, doing what feels right? Weigh the pro's and con's and then act? Or do you "ask counsel from the Lord" (verse 14)? In chapter 9 we are told the story of how the Gibeonites deceived Israel because Israel did not ask for direction from the Lord. What the Gibeonites said seemed reasonable, so the Israelites went ahead and did what seemed right. But none of us has the wisdom or perspective of God, so we would be much better off if we first listened to Him. When I am tempted, if I respond in my own will-power and reasoning, I often end up falling into sin. Satan often uses what seems reasonable to deceive us, to get us to cross the line into sin. That's why we need to go to God and get His perspective, wisdom, and strength.
God, it is often hard to know what is right and true. I've made a lot of mistakes and poor decisions in my life. Heavenly Father, give me direction, and guide my decisions.
3 But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, 4 they on their part acted with cunning and went and made ready provisions and took worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, 5 with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly. 6 And they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant with us.” 7 But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you live among us; then how can we make a covenant with you?” 8 They said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” And Joshua said to them, “Who are you? And where do you come from?” 9 They said to him, “From a very distant country your servants have come, because of the name of the Lord your God. For we have heard a report of him, and all that he did in Egypt, 10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon the king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth. 11 So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, ‘Take provisions in your hand for the journey and go to meet them and say to them, “We are your servants. Come now, make a covenant with us.”’12 Here is our bread. It was still warm when we took it from our houses as our food for the journey on the day we set out to come to you, but now, behold, it is dry and crumbly.13 These wineskins were new when we filled them, and behold, they have burst. And these garments and sandals of ours are worn out from the very long journey.” 14 So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. 15 And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them. 16 At the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, they heard that they were their neighbors and that they lived among them.
What do you do when faced with temptation? Just act impulsively, doing what feels right? Weigh the pro's and con's and then act? Or do you "ask counsel from the Lord" (verse 14)? In chapter 9 we are told the story of how the Gibeonites deceived Israel because Israel did not ask for direction from the Lord. What the Gibeonites said seemed reasonable, so the Israelites went ahead and did what seemed right. But none of us has the wisdom or perspective of God, so we would be much better off if we first listened to Him. When I am tempted, if I respond in my own will-power and reasoning, I often end up falling into sin. Satan often uses what seems reasonable to deceive us, to get us to cross the line into sin. That's why we need to go to God and get His perspective, wisdom, and strength.
God, it is often hard to know what is right and true. I've made a lot of mistakes and poor decisions in my life. Heavenly Father, give me direction, and guide my decisions.