Joshua 9

ScriptureJoshua 9:14¹⁴ The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.ObservationGod was making a name for himself through Joshua.  As the kings west of the Jordan heard this, they decided to come together to fight; but the people of Gibeon came up with a different plan.  Their intent was to essentially trick Joshua into making a treaty with them, protecting their people from the plight of what many others had faced.They had gone through quite the effort of carrying out the trickery – making it appear as though they had traveled from far away.  It seems Joshua and his people knew something was up.  The Israelites asked in verse 7…⁷ The Israelites said to the Hivites, “But perhaps you live near us, so how can we make a treaty with you?”And Joshua in verse 8…But Joshua asked, “Who are you and where do you come from?”They had questioned the people and even tasted the provisions but as we see in vs. 14, they did NOT “inquire of the Lord.”As a result, they made the treaty, only to find that they had been tricked and that the “far off travelers” were practically neighbors.UnderstandingFirst, this is a reminder to me to ALWAYS inquire of the Lord.  Despite what “intuition” may tell me, as a Christ-follower, I must consult with, inquire of, seek God before and as I take action.In this case, though, I have to question what would have happened had Joshua and the Israelites “inquired of the Lord.”  Would the deception have been made known?  Would the Gibeonites fallen to the same fate as the rest of the surrounding areas?  It’s unknown. But what we are able to see here, is that - because of the treaty – the Gibeonites were brought within the covenant community.  Because of the fraudulent way they got there, they were excluded from liberties and privileges of true-born Israelites.  BUT  their “curse” of being woodcutters and water carriers put them in a unique position to be exposed to Israel’s God-centered beliefs and rituals. It takes a lot of wood to keep the fire of the altar burning.  It also takes a lot of water to carry out all of the washing and cleaning that must be done in and around the altar.  As such, as woodcutters and water carriers, the Gibeonites would be required to personally attend the altar of God – which would bring them to the knowledge of the law of God.In fact, as we read elsewhere in Lev 25:44 and Num 3:9, it seems that’s exactly what God designed the work of the altar for – to minister to the “heathens.”  This appears to be just another example of our holy and redeeming God graciously at work.  God desires to bring people into knowledge of and relationship with Him.  Life ApplicationDear God, thank you for always seeing the big picture.  Your redemption and grace are crazy beautiful and intricately woven throughout our lives.  THANK YOU!  Help me to remember to seek you first in all I do so I may avoid the “trickery” of those who don’t have my best interest in mind; but, moreover, may I be reminded that, even in those moments, that you can and do work as The Redeemer.  Use me today to show grace and mercy and to expose others to your redeeming love.  May you be honored and glorified in my thoughts, my words and my actions today.Amen.To check out the discussion or to join in click here.- Rei