Joshua 9:8 …Joshua asked, “Who are you and where do you come from?”
I would encourage you to take a moment and read through all four verses of scripture before reading my reflection. The Gibeonites had heard of the LORD’s power and the Israelites’ victories, and they were afraid. The Israelites were coming off an overwhelming victory at Ai and were feeling pretty good about life and their own abilities. Commentary says, “They walked by sight and not by faith.” They bought into the well executed ruse of the Gibeonites. Had they bothered to ask God what to do in this situation, God would have provided. He always does. But they didn’t.
Joshua 9:9 They answered: “Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the LORD your God. For we had heard reports of Him: all He did in Egypt….”
Romans 8:28 comes to mind in this chapter. The Gibeonites created such an elaborate ruse because they feared the LORD and His power. They genuinely chose service to the LORD over death. The Israelites, once realizing their own error, were bound by their oath and were forced to press the Gibeonites into service for Him since they couldn’t destroy the Gibeonites. God could have wiped the Israelites off the earth for disobeying yet again, but He did not. He worked all things to their good and His glory.
Joshua 9:12 “This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But see how dry and moldy it is.
Lord, Thank You for this day, for this scripture, for this reminder not to trust our eyes but to come to You, seeking Your will, always. Thank You for Your willingness and ability to work all things for our good and Your glory if we will allow. Draw us closer. Amen.
Joshua 9:14 The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD.
Have a blessed day.
My faith, my life, my teaching–it's all a work in progress.