relationships (Joshua 9:1-27) Make Wise and Informed Decisions

(Joshua 9:1-27)  Now it came about when all the kings who were beyond the Jordan, in the hill country, the lowland, and on all the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon, the Hittite and the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite, heard about it, 2 that they met together with one purpose, to fight with Joshua and with Israel.

3 The inhabitants of Gibeon also heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and to Ai, 4 but they on their part acted craftily and went and took provisions for a journey, and took worn-out sacks on their donkeys, and wineskins that were worn out, split open, and patched, 5 and worn-out and patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes on themselves; and all the bread of their provision was dry and had become crumbled. 6 And they went to Joshua at the camp at Gilgal and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now then, make a covenant with us.” 7 But the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you are living within our land; how then are we to make a covenant with you?” 8 So they said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” Then Joshua said to them, “Who are you and where do you come from?” 9 They said to him, “Your servants have come from a very distant country because of the fame of the Lord your God; for we have heard the report about Him 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 to Og king of Bashan who was in Ashtaroth. 11 So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, ‘Take provisions in your hand for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them, “We are your servants; now then, make a covenant with us.”’ 12 This bread of ours was hot when we took it for our provisions from our houses on the day that we left to come to you; but now behold, it is dry and has become crumbled. 13 And these wineskins which we filled were new, and behold, they are split open; and these clothes of ours and our sandals are worn out from the very long journey.” 14 So the men of Israel took some of their provisions, and did not ask for the counsel of the Lord. 15 And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live; and the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to them.

16 However, it came about at the end of three days after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard that they were neighbors and that they were living within their land. 17 Then the sons of Israel set out and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kiriath-jearim. 18 But the sons of Israel did not attack them because the leaders of the congregation had sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel. And the whole congregation grumbled against the leaders. 19 But all the leaders said to the whole congregation, “We have sworn to them by the Lord, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them. 20 This we will do to them, even let them live, so that wrath will not be on us because of the oath which we swore to them.” 21 So the leaders said to them, “Let them live.” And they became gatherers of firewood and labor to draw water for the whole congregation, just as the leaders had spoken to them.

22 Then Joshua called for them and spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are very far from you,’ when you are living within our land? 23 Now therefore, you are cursed, and you will never cease to be slaves, both gatherers of firewood and labor to draw water for the house of my God.” 24 So they answered Joshua and said, “Since your servants were fully informed that the Lord your God had commanded His servant Moses to give you all the land, and to destroy all the inhabitants of the land before you, we feared greatly for our lives because of you, and did this thing. 25 And now behold, we are in your hands; do to us as it seems good and right in your sight to do.” 26 This he did to them, and saved them from the hands of the sons of Israel, and they did not kill them. 27 But on that day Joshua made them gatherers of firewood and labor to draw water for the congregation and for the altar of the Lord, to this day, in the place which He would choose.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Even leaders make big mistakes.  We can so easily get ahead of ourselves and forget to ask God for direction.  Whether something seems to be so obvious or something seems really good, or there's something we really want, or - whatever it is - we can be blind to reality and the problems.  And sometimes our decisions have lifetime consequences. 

The closest thing to which this story can be likened is marriage.  Someone might come along and sound and behave like a believer.  And especially when marriage is something one desperately wants, one can then see what they want.  But after marriage when you realize your mistake, it is too late to question whether or not you should have entered the marriage covenant with that person.  But it is never too late to seek God's direction in the circumstance that you do find yourself in.  

You may be "stuck" in that relationship until death, but God is always there to direct you through it.  Understand, it was never and is never God's will for a believer to marry an unbeliever.  But if one does find themselves making that mistake, God's will is now for you to start living in God's will as best as possible, in His strength and guidance.

Obviously, if a spouse is abusive, you need to separate and get help.  But if the marriage is not abusive, you should stay and do the best you can with God's help.  Since you cannot make your spouse a Christian, or a slave, you will have to choose to be a slave to righteousness and do God's will, praying for a peaceful existence, and praying that your spouse does become a believer at some point.

No matter what our circumstances are, it is never too late to seek out God's guidance!  And always, seeking and praying for God's guidance as soon as possible is most beneficial.

My mom would say, "Be careful who you date, because you will fall in love."  Wise advice.  And I took that a step further.  Even as a young teenager, I had made a list of what kind of man I would want to marry one day - if - I would ever get married.  But I still decided not to date until I was an adult.  Why?  Because I was still a kid, and I needed to figure out myself and my relationship with the Lord first!

Jesus is literally my soulmate, and He completes and fulfills me!  One cannot put a spouse or anyone else in place of God.  They will only disappoint you and let you down.  Because God does want the best for us, we should pray and let Him know our requests.  AND THEN, trust Him and wait PATIENTLY for His answer!  And if and when it is to be, God will send someone who is a good fit for you.

Even still, we need to be aware, alert, and then after the fruit of the Spirit is very obvious, decide to fall in love using our minds, and then, enjoy with our hearts!  Love is a choice, not a feeling.  Feelings are fickle.  They come and they go! 

So once I was an adult, I firmly decided I wasn't going to date anyone unless and until I met someone that aligned with my entire list of qualifications!  Several times, a Christian guy would come along and I thought - he must be the answer to my prayers.  Time revealed that this was actually a test!  It was a definite "no way!"  Or, "close, but not really."  Look, it is far, far better to be happy and single, than married and unhappy.  Even with the "right" person, marriage is a lot of work.  Never feel like you have to rush into anything.  

BE CONTENT IN ALL THINGS!  Even being single.  Work on becoming the person who would be a good spouse.  One of our pastors gave excellent advice.  Do God's will.  And then if and when you see a person walking beside you, introduce yourself!