LEARNING DAILY

 

Joshua 9:14, Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask the counsel of the Lord.

 

Joshua and Israel is having the success defeating the various kingdoms in the Promised Land that God had promised. Even the alliance of four kingdoms could not stand before them. It is at this point that a group of people decide to pretend they are from a far away country in order to make a covenant with Israel. These people, the Gibeonites, deliberately deceived Israel into doing so. Remember the command God had given Israel in Deuteronomy 7:1-2 was to “make no covenant, to show no mercy to the inhabitants of Canaan”. However, they were allowed to make treaties with kingdoms of far away lands (Deuteronomy 20:10-11). The Gibeonites knew this; they planned the deception accordingly.

 

I wonder if the people of Israel had not become overconfident in their own abilities at this point. Had their success begun to cloud their knowledge regarding who was really responsible for their victories over the kingdoms in Canaan? Were they becoming complacent and overconfident in their own judgment at this time? Was the first battle for Ai forgotten: when God was not with them, they were defeated. The problem here, was Joshua and the people of Israel did not seek counsel with the Lord regarding this matter! Unfortunately, they entered into a covenant that they could not break (read verse 18). Now the Gibeonites were with the Israelites and that was something forbidden by God.

 

Joshua and Israel failed to ask God’s guidance before they made the treaty. ”The men of Israel took some of their provisions”. In other words, they relied on their own sense, they made their decision on the garments, condition of the wineskins, and the people’s food. To Joshua and Israel, the conditions presented to them by the Gibeonites was enough to convince them their story was true. They were deceived!

 

There is that word again. Deception. Let me ask this: When was the last time you decided something important without consulting the Lord for His guidance? There are many things that are obviously against His will; and we stay away from those things. But, do you agree with me that there are things that “appear” to be good or will not hurt our relationship with God that confront us almost daily. They might be so simple as the lifestyles that television programs are facing us continually. What about the agenda of public schools teaching kindergartners about sexual identity? Or, it might be about whether or not you should be making a major purchase or investment that seems just so good. The key is seeking God’s will, His guidance on these things. What does He want done? It seems to me the only way to not be deceived is to walk closely with Him on the narrow way to His kingdom and to have “ears to hear” His direction in all things.

 

Joshua and Israel should have consulted God on the matter with the Gibeonites. If they had, they would not be deceived. You and I must understand this today as we face the deception the Lord Jesus said would come (Matthew 24). I believe it is here and increasing to the point we must seek Him every day in order to not be deceived. I believe the only way to avoid sorrow and tragedy that comes with deception is to be diligent in seeking God’s wisdom and His direction every daily. Outward appearance and people’s words can be deceptive. In the decisions of life, it best to consult the One who knows today and tomorrow and is in command of it all!