Day 84 – Joshua 9-11

Talking Points

• The Gibeonites, certain of their coming doom, hatch a plan to trick the sons of Israel. The Israelites fall prey to the Gibeonites’ trick, because they “did not ask for the counsel of the LORD” (9:14). There is an important lesson to be learned: human logic, no matter how sure it seems, will fail. We should not move, even in the smallest of matters, without seeking the wisdom of God.
• Joshua leads the people from city to city, securing victory after victory. The Bible tells us, “He left nothing undone of all the LORD had commanded Moses” (11:15). As they walked in obedience and faith, God fought their battles. Mighty feats of God marked their way.
• They were commanded to destroy everything, even the horses and chariots, proving their trust was not in things, nor was their strength in armies. Their trust was to be only in the Lord.
• With all the battles finished, and the kings of the land soundly defeated, the warring ceased. “Thus the land had rest from war” (11:23).

Thoughts

Easily fooled. A crafty enemy. Everything looked as it should according to human logic. The bread was dry, the shoes worn, the wineskins tattered, and the story was flawless. Yet, it wasn’t the truth. How were they to know?

Throughout our lives, we will be faced with many lies that look just as flawless. The only way we are to know the truth from the lies that our crafty enemy uses to capture us is for us to seek the counsel of the Lord. We must be steadfast in the Word of God. We must weigh every decision, big and small, in light of His truth. We must take everything to the Lord in prayer, asking for His wisdom, seeking to be in His will.

God, please let us learn from past mistakes — ours and others’. Let us diligently ask for the counsel of the Lord.