Joshua 9:14 –
So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the LORD.
And so the story goes, some cities in the Promised Land learned of the destruction of Jericho and Ai. They created the illusion that they were from far away lands and made a treaty with Israel. The Israelites did not consult God about this treaty and made decisions based on what they saw. When they found out the deception they went to investigate and eventually made these people servants. But I wonder if this is one of the many thorns in the side of Israel today?
What we need to take from this story is not believing what we see all the time. As we know from watching youtube videos or looking a pictures posted on the web. The use of “green screens” and editors gives people the ability to create and deceive people. Heck, the amount of emails I get about dying children who need financial help is amazing. The world is full of people trying to deceive you from your money, lands or freedom. Although I am cynical about videos, pictures and letters, I still am very naïve when it comes to people’s word. I guess I just assume people will not lie to my face.
As we know all to well people will say or do just about anything to gain control over your, get your stuff or save their booties. With a presidential campaign starting this year you can see that’s the case with the men running. How I would love the take them on their word, but it’s difficult with so many contradictions each one gives. If you watch most politicians closely they will say what their present crowd wants to hear and many times contradict themselves with the next group.
With people being so deceptive throughout the world, this is where we need God for guidance. We don’t need to go to Him on the mundane, like French toast or waffles, but we do need to go to him on the big stuff. I wonder if Joshua didn’t think God needed to be bothered or if he just forgot to ask. Either way the repercussions we felt for generations to follow. Also, we need to zone in on that “little voice” and know when it’s God. More than once I have come to an intersection and for whatever reason thought “I should go this way”. Then I ignore it and go the “normal” way only to hit an outlandish traffic jam. Was that God sparing me the aggravation of the traffic or just a coincidental brain fart? The key is knowing when it’s God and when it’s you so when you do go to Him for the big stuff the answer will be clear.