Joshua 8-10

In Joshua 8-10, the Israelites are burning it up in the Promise Land.  They are conquering cities right and left for God, just like He said they would.  Once the Israelites deal with the hidden sin among them, their second attempt to defeat Ai is successful.  Even though Joshua makes a mistake in dealing with the Gibeonites, God doesn't give up on Israel, and the sun literally stands still in their favor.  Joshua continues to be faithful in giving God all the credit for their success.  He gathers the entire community to read and remember the Book of Law and God's promises for His people.

Joshua is doing such a good job following in Moses' footsteps.  He is really trusting God.  His relationship with God is strong.

Yet, Joshua messes up and makes a peace treaty with the Gibeonites in today's reading.  He seems like such a smart, faithful man.  How does he get deceived so easily?

This part in God's story is standing out to me today because I feel like we are all at risk for being deceived.  And the problem with that is that it takes us off God's course for our lives.

I think it's important to note that self-interest and fear drive the Gibeonites.  They go out of their way, pretending to be a people they aren't in order to get what they want.  Joshua doesn't see this at first.  He is fooled by appearances.

Here's where Joshua and the Israelites go wrong.

14 The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. 15 Then Joshua made a treaty of peacewith them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.

Joshua 9:14-15

In other words, God's people had an error in judgement.  They were fooled by appearances.  The Israelites got so caught up on on how things looked, material possessions, that they didn't stop to talk to God about what their next move should be.

In hindsight, I have the privilege of learning a lesson from this situation.  When we have God's plan in our hearts, and we face any decision that will impact that plan, we can't make assumptions that we know what to do next, even if the next step seems simple and obvious.  

Taking time to stop and seek God's advice can save us a lot of grief and grumbling in the future.  

It's always better to be safe with God than sorry without Him!  

A prayer for today-

Dear God,

Thank You for always hearing my calls for help and advice.  Please forgive me for all the ways I fail to seek You first before I act.

Give me the patience and wisdom I need to make all my decisions with You in mind, no matter how things appear.

________________ is facing some big decisions.  Please guide him/her in Your will and way.

I pray in the name of Your Son, Jesus,

Amen

Peace,

*This post is part of A Mind-Maker-Upper's Everyday Reading Project.  Click here to read more.