Joshua 9
Today's Passage: Joshua 9
In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites deceive Joshua and Israel into making a covenant to not destroy them. They told Joshua they were from a foreign land (v. 9) but had heard about what God had done to Egypt and other nations (v. 9-10). Joshua makes a covenant of peace with them (v. 15). Turns out, this Gibeonites dwelled in the Promised Land. Their punishment was to be “cutters of wood and drawers of water.”
The mistake Israel made was in verse 14: So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. Israel made this decision without first consulting God. God commanded Israel to not make covenants with people in the Promise Land. Look at Deuteronomy 7: You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them. You shall not intermarry with them…for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods (v. 2-3, 7). God was trying to protect Israel.
The question we need to answer: How do we make a decision if the Lord’s will is not revealed? Well I love how the third discipleship book processes this.
When deciding first ask:
If you’re able to walk through these questions and the decision you need to make is not against God’s Word or hindering your relationship with God, then you will have to decide. The main thing is to not leave God out of the process – He cares for you and desires to hear from you.
What decisions in your life do you need to take to the Lord right now?
Written By: Brice Stockton
In Joshua 9, the Gibeonites deceive Joshua and Israel into making a covenant to not destroy them. They told Joshua they were from a foreign land (v. 9) but had heard about what God had done to Egypt and other nations (v. 9-10). Joshua makes a covenant of peace with them (v. 15). Turns out, this Gibeonites dwelled in the Promised Land. Their punishment was to be “cutters of wood and drawers of water.”
The mistake Israel made was in verse 14: So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the Lord. Israel made this decision without first consulting God. God commanded Israel to not make covenants with people in the Promise Land. Look at Deuteronomy 7: You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them. You shall not intermarry with them…for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods (v. 2-3, 7). God was trying to protect Israel.
The question we need to answer: How do we make a decision if the Lord’s will is not revealed? Well I love how the third discipleship book processes this.
When deciding first ask:
• Is it black or white? Meaning has the Lord, in His Word, commanded to do or not do this.
• Is it of the world? Or, Is this something that the average unsaved person does? If it is, then don’t do it.
• Will this hurt by body or upset the Holy Spirit living inside of me? If so, don’t do it.
• Will this hurt my reputation as a Christian or do damage to God’s name? If so, don’t do it.
What decisions in your life do you need to take to the Lord right now?
Written By: Brice Stockton
1 Comment
Thanks Brice! Yeah, it is impossible for us to make good decisions with bad information. But God always has full knowledge. Go to Him for wisdom in making decisions.