Ask God First!
Joshua 9
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, January 20.
Have you ever been duped, swindled, hoodwinked, deceived, defrauded, or cheated?
Joshua and the leaders were hustled by the Gibeonites after Israel’s victories at Jericho and Ai. A large coalition of neighboring peoples was forming against the Israelites to fight (1-2), when a caravan arrived at their camp. Joshua 9:4-5 describes what Joshua and the leaders found upon inspection:
“worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins worn-out and torn and mended, and worn-out and patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and had become crumbled.”
Joshua and the leaders did their due diligence to inspect and to interview them. Everything seemed to line up with their story of being from far away and the people persuasively flattered the Israelite military victories and God’s miraculous powers. So, Joshua made a treaty with the Gibeonites.
The Israelite leaders seemed to have done everything they should have done to make an informed decision. But that was their error, they were trusting in themselves to make the decision! Joshua 9:14 clearly states where they went wrong,
“So the men of Israel … did not ask for the counsel of the Lord.”
Did Joshua get caught up in his role as a military commander and forget his spiritual responsibilities? Why did he forget to ask God?
When Joshua was commissioned for his leadership role in Numbers 27:18-21, he was commanded to inquire of God:
“Moreover, he shall stand before Eleazar the priest, who shall inquire for him by the judgment of the Urim before the Lord.”
This was his primary responsibility, as it is for every spiritual leader – to pray and seek God in every decision!
Seize the moment and ask God first! Before you make any commitments or decisions, seek God in the Word and through prayer.
God bless you!
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YOUTUBE:
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