Joshua 9

Don’t skip the counsel

_{Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord.~ Joshua 9:14}

Have you ever made a decision that seemed completely right at the time, only to realize later that something was off because you never stopped to ask God?

In today’s scripture reading, the Israelites were stepping into promise, walking in victory, and seeing God move in powerful ways. Then the Gibeonites came with a plan. They pretended to be something they were not, and the Israelites believed them. Everything looked convincing and everything sounded right. But there was one thing missing, God’s people didn’t ask the Lord about how to respond to the offer. That one missed step led to a long-term consequence.

As children of God today, we can find ourselves in the same place. Opportunities, relationships, decisions, and even good things can come our way, and if we are not careful, we can move forward without ever pausing to seek God’s wisdom.

Here are three important truths we can take from this passage and apply to our daily lives.

1. Not everything that looks right is from God

The Gibeonites looked like they came from far away. Their story made sense and their appearance backed it up. But it was all a lie that led to deception.  In our lives, things can look good on the outside. A new opportunity, a new relationship, or even a new direction can seem right because it feels easy, appealing or even beneficial in the moment.

Create a habit in your life to pause before saying yes, even when something seems like a perfect fit. Take time to pray and ask God for discernment. You may be offered a new job that looks like a great step forward. The pay is better, the schedule seems ideal, and everything lines up naturally. Instead of rushing in, take time to ask God if this is truly His direction for you or just something that appears right on the surface.

2. Skipping God’s counsel can lead to unnecessary battles

The Israelites did not ask God, and they ended up in a covenant agreement they couldn’t undo.  Sometimes the challenges we face aren’t because God led us there or even something God allowed in our lives, but simply because we moved ahead without getting His instructions or approval.

Make seeking God your first response, not your last option. Invite Him into decisions before you act, not after things become difficult. You might respond quickly in a conversation when you feel hurt or misunderstood. Later, you realize your reaction created more tension. If you pause first and bring it to God, He can guide your words and protect your peace.

3. God can still bring purpose even when we miss a step

Even though the Israelites made a mistake, God still worked through the situation. The Gibeonites became servants, and God’s plan continued.  This is a reminder that even when we get it wrong, God is still faithful.  Surrendering the situation to God even after the mistake gives Him the entrance He needs to still make the best of circumstances.

Do not stay stuck in regret. Turn back to God, trust His grace, and allow Him to redeem the situation. You may have made a decision without seeking God and now feel the weight of it. Instead of dwelling on what went wrong, bring it to Him. Ask for wisdom moving forward and trust that He can still work good through it.

I remember a time when I made a decision quickly because everything seemed to fall into place. It felt easy, and I took that as confirmation instead of actually bringing it before the Lord. But as time went on, I realized I hadn’t truly taken it to God and I found myself dealing with stress and complications that could’ve been avoided. When I finally slowed down and brought it before Him, He gave me clarity and peace about what to do next to move the situation in a better direction. That experience showed me how important it is to invite God into every decision, not just the difficult ones.

Today I want to encourage you to pause before you proceed, to invite God into every decision no matter how small it seems, and to trust that His wisdom will guide you in ways that protect your peace and lead you into His best, because when you seek Him first, you avoid unnecessary battles and walk confidently in the path He has prepared for you.

Today’s scripture reading: Joshua 9

1 And it came to pass when all the kings who were on this side of the Jordan, in the hills and in the lowland and in all the coasts of the Great Sea toward Lebanon—the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite—heard about it, 

2 that they gathered together to fight with Joshua and Israel with one accord.

3 But when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 

4 they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors. And they took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and mended, 

5 old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and moldy. 

6 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.”

7 Then the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell among us; so how can we make a covenant with you?”

8 But they said to Joshua, “We are your servants.”

And Joshua said to them, “Who are you, and where do you come from?”

9 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, 

10 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. 

11 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.” ’ 

12 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. 

13 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.”

14 Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord. 

15 So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them.

16 And it happened at the end of three days, after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were their neighbors who dwelt near them. 

17 Then the children of Israel journeyed and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath Jearim. 

18 But the children of Israel did not attack them, because the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel. And all the congregation complained against the rulers.

19 Then all the rulers said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord God of Israel; now therefore, we may not touch them. 

20 This we will do to them: We will let them live, lest wrath be upon us because of the oath which we swore to them.” 

21 And the rulers said to them, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for all the congregation, as the rulers had promised them.”

22 Then Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you dwell near us? 

23 Now therefore, you are cursed, and none of you shall be freed from being slaves—woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”

24 So they answered Joshua and said, “Because your servants were clearly told that the Lord your God commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore we were very much afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing. 

25 And now, here we are, in your hands; do with us as it seems good and right to do to us.” 

26 So he did to them and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they did not kill them. 

27 And that day Joshua made them woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, in the place which He would choose, even to this day.

Journal:

• What decisions am I currently facing that I need to bring before God
• Have I been relying on what looks right instead of seeking God’s direction
• What does it look like for me to make asking God my first response
• Is there a past decision I need to release to God and trust Him to redeem
• How can I build a daily habit of inviting God into every area of my life