Reading
- Josh. 9:1-12:24
Devotional
After the Israelites conquered Jericho and Ai, the kings in the nearby region heard what happened. Many of them allied together to attack the Israelites, but one nation took a different approach. The Gibeonites resorted to trickery instead of war. The Bible says:
But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors. And they took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and mended, old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy. And they went to Joshua, to the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us.”
Then the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell among us; so how can we make a covenant with you?” But they said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” And Joshua said to them, “Who are you, and where do you come from?” So they said to him: “From a very far country your servants have come, because of the name of the LORD your God; for we have heard of His fame, and all that He did in Egypt, and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan—to Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth. Therefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, ‘Take provisions with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them, “We are your servants; now therefore, make a covenant with us.”’ This bread of ours we took hot for our provision from our houses on the day we departed to come to you. But now look, it is dry and moldy. And these wineskins which we filled were new, and see, they are torn; and these our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.”
Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD.
(Josh. 9:3-14 NKJV)
Joshua made peace with the Gibeonites because they tricked him. Had Joshua asked GOD for advice and wisdom then he would not have made this mistake. It is so important in life that we remember to ask GOD for wisdom and guidance before we make decisions. We should pray that GOD will show us which path to choose, and we must constantly apply ourselves to a diligent study of His word. Centuries later, King Solomon wrote:
My son, if you will receive my words and treasure my commandments within you, make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; For if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; If you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will discern the fear of the LORD and discover the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom; From His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones.
(Prov. 2:1-8 NKJV)
It is GOD’s will that you make wise decisions. He longs to bless you, but often we fail to receive those blessings because we don’t ask.
…you do not have because you do not ask.
(Jam. 4:2b NKJV)
Remember to ask!
