Joshua 9.1-15
The temptation faces us regularly: to act without prayer. I have been developing the habit of responding, when someone asks me something, "Let me pray about that"" It is something I learned from an older pastor years ago. It is wise, always wise to seek the LORD in everything.
When going into a situation where it will be tempting to say things that would cause problems, "LORD, put a guard over my mouth, watch over the doors of my lips."
The enemy works against us doing this. He is a roaring lion and a deceitful serpent, sly and cunning. So cunning that here in Joshua 9 they even gave praise to God. Not everyone who says, "LORD, LORD..."
After victories at Jericho and Ai, they failed in one of the reasons that gave them initial trouble in Ai.
Israel failed to do pray in this in this situation. They failed to seek guidance from the LORD. They forgot what He had told them. They got caught up with the sight and taste before them which led them down the wrong path. They did not inquire of the LORD.
1. Don't Rely On Your Natural Senses. vs.12-14a
We need the power of God's Spirit against the giants and the wisdom of His Spirit against the serpents. His deceit is more subtle than his open assaults. He is more dangerous as an angel of light than a roaring lion. Israel's faith had been thrown off guard. The enemy seeks to do that to us today. He desires to sift us out like wheat. (Luke 22.31-32)
The Israelites relied on the evidence of their natural senses rather than on the counsel of God. Sight and taste were involved in the original sin. They were also involved here. Watch out for these things.
Our struggle inwardly is the flesh vs. the Spirit. The arm of flesh will fail you. You dare not trust your own! We do more harm than good when we hastily make decisions without praying or consulting God's Word.
Natural senses can easily lead us astray. We must be careful in our reasonings.
Human wisdom is weak. We are encouraged to seek godly wisdom , wisdom that is from above. (James 3.17)
We are not fit guides for ourselves. We are like sheep. We need a Shepherd and we have One!
It could have been their fame spreading to distant lands that filled them with pride. Pride comes before a fall.
2. Remember Past Lessons
The scriptures
God had told them not to enter into any covenant with the people of the land. Deuteronomy 7.1-6
The LORD wants to direct us. James 1.5 gives direction if we need direction.
Be like children. Obey without questioning the reasons. That is the kind of obedience which delights parents and the kind which blesses our Father in Heaven.
Our own lives.
It is good to take Life Lessons to heart. Learn from others spiritual success and failures and your own. Hebrews 13.7
Consider= look attentively, observe accurately
Imitate = mimic
Outcome= their exit, the way they ended their lives, also can apply to their escape from temptation.
3. Don't Fail To Pray
Faith was endangered by the failure to bring everything to the LORD. Oh what needless pain we bear!
Even in the most obvious matters we should pray. This safeguards us from our own flawed judgement.
The Gibeonites' explanation seemed simple enough. We need to always be on our guard.
God never fails to give light to those who ask Him for it.
4. Seek Direction From The LORD.
In everything! Don't take things for granted. Don't assume. Even the seeming little or simple things need God's personal direction.
Had they inquired of the LORD, they would have gone to the priests. Remember the LORD had the Urim and the Thummim. These were for making decisions. They would have gotten a clear no from God. Instead they created great problems by leaning on their own understanding. Numbers 27.18-23 Joshua was promised help in making decisions but he did not seek the help.
Take God as your Counselor in great matters and in little ones. Always consult Him. It will avoid a lot of needless pain in your life!
Seeking the LORD:
*purifies the desires.
*calms the passions
*reveals the mysterious nature of things, shows the fraudulent.
*helps bring to mind His Word.
*gives me clarity of reasoning
Proverbs 3.5-6
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