The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Joshua 9:14-15,
"The Israelites sampled their [the Gibeonites] provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath."
The people of Gibeon had heard what Israel had done to Jericho and Ai. They were also aware of how Israel defeated Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. They also knew about the events in Egypt. Knowing their number was coming up they deceived Israel with a rouse. It was a brilliant strategy on their part.
They sent a delegation and persuaded the Israelites they were from far away and wanted a treaty. The Israelites checked out their provisions, etc. and were convinced these people must have come from a distant land. However, as we read in the above verse, the Israelites didn't inquire of the Lord. So, the leaders of Israel made a treaty with them.
When the leaders were confronted by the Israelites as to why they made a treaty with a people they were to have destroyed (at God's command) they told them, "We have given them [the Gibeonites] our oath by the Lord, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now." They went on to say that they would be used as woodcutters and water carriers for the Israelites for perpetuity.
The Israelites got themselves into this jam because they used the Lord in their oath as their surety, their guarantee, when making a treaty without checking in with him first.
"The Israelites sampled their [the Gibeonites] provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath."
The people of Gibeon had heard what Israel had done to Jericho and Ai. They were also aware of how Israel defeated Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who reigned in Ashtaroth. They also knew about the events in Egypt. Knowing their number was coming up they deceived Israel with a rouse. It was a brilliant strategy on their part.
They sent a delegation and persuaded the Israelites they were from far away and wanted a treaty. The Israelites checked out their provisions, etc. and were convinced these people must have come from a distant land. However, as we read in the above verse, the Israelites didn't inquire of the Lord. So, the leaders of Israel made a treaty with them.
When the leaders were confronted by the Israelites as to why they made a treaty with a people they were to have destroyed (at God's command) they told them, "We have given them [the Gibeonites] our oath by the Lord, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now." They went on to say that they would be used as woodcutters and water carriers for the Israelites for perpetuity.
The Israelites got themselves into this jam because they used the Lord in their oath as their surety, their guarantee, when making a treaty without checking in with him first.
Using the Lord without checking with him first... does that still happen today? What do you think?
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
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