The children of Israel have just conquered Jericho and Ai, and the people of Canaan know they are doomed. So someone thinks up a brilliant plan, to get the Israelites to make a covenant not to destroy them. They send a group pretending they've come from a far country to make a league, a covenant, with Israel. And Israel, seeing their old clothing and moldly bread fall for the plan.
They, maybe were perhaps a bit overconfident in their recent victories. Perhaps they saw a plain path ahead and didn't think they need to ask anyone for help... whatever the case, here they made a grave mistake.
As I was reading this somewhat comical and yet sad story, Joshua 9:14 jumped out at me. "And the men [Israel] took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD."
They asked not counsel of the Lord....and because they didn't ask counsel, they were deceived!
How many times have we, thinking we had wisdom and knew what was right in a situation, gone ahead without asking counsel of God? I know I've done this, and I've suffered the consequences of unwise choices as a result...
That's why the Bible tells us:
Jer. 10:23 says, "O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps."
James 1:5, "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God who giveth to all men liberally."
Prov. 3:5,6 says, "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."
Let's not make the mistake the children of Israel did. No matter how big or small the circumstances, we are not safe for a moment walking on our own. We desperately need the wisdom and guidance of the Lord.
Tomorrow's ReadingL Joshua 10-11 and Ps. 38
Tomorrow's ReadingL Joshua 10-11 and Ps. 38
No comments:
Post a Comment