Read Joshua 9-10
In Joshua 9 we see the danger of making
major decisions without the counsel of the Lord. Word is quickly spreading
about Israel’s military victories. They have crossed the Jordan River, defeated
Jericho and crushed Ai. Israel is a force to be reckoned with. A group of men from Gibeon decide that instead
of facing Israel’s military, they will deceive Israel into a peace treaty.
Joshua falls for their tricks and enters into a peace covenant with these men.
Notably, he fails to seek the Lord on this decision. When the truth comes out,
Israel is bound. They cannot go back on their word and therefore are unable to
conquer the Gibeonites.
Despite the Israelites’ lack of submission,
God remains faithful and sovereign. In chapter 10 we see how He works on behalf
of Israel. A coalition of five Amorite kings hears about Israel’s treaty with
the Gibeonites. They are afraid because both Israel and Gibeon have proven to
be powerful military players. The five kings decide to strike first. As a
result, Joshua leads troops to defend Gibeon. This is where God reveals His
supremacy. He grants victory to Israel by confusing their enemies. Further He
sends hailstones so large that they kill more people than the Israelite
soldiers do! His resolve increased by this victory, Joshua proceeds to lead the
Israelites to conquer the southern territory of the Amorites. Instead of
condemning Israel for their poor decision, God used it to bless them by giving
them more land!
Prayer
and Journaling
1. What decisions are you facing right now?
Ask God for His insight. He is sovereign
and all-knowing. He is capable of protecting us from disaster and leading us onto
a good path.
2. It is important to act with wisdom in our
daily affairs. When Joshua was approached by the Gibeonite men his first
response was, “How can we be sure you don’t really live in the land?” It would
have served Joshua well to investigate these men’s claims more thoroughly
before making a peace treaty with them. God often guides us through the voice
in our minds that tells us to act wisely. Ask God to fill you with His wisdom
and give you the ability to discern between godly, biblical wisdom and the
wisdom of the world. Pray that as you read His Word it would enable you to grow
in discernment.
3. Pray for the young people in our church
family today. Pray that they would seek the Lord for His will, thereby avoiding
the kind of mistake Israel made in chapter 9. Pray that God would give them
patience in waiting on His will. Pray that they would grow in wisdom and avoid
rash decisions.
