Tuesday, June 8, 2021

The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.

 Joshua 9:1-27

However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they resorted to a ruse: They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded[a] with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and moldy. Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the Israelites, “We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us.”

The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord. Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath.

Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by saying, ‘We live a long way from you,’ while actually you live near us? You are now under a curse: You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.

Gibeon was an important city about 8Km north of Jerusalem. The Israelites had been forewarned against any alliance with local people. But the Gibeonites employ such cunning even to the pretence tath news of the recent victories at Jericho and Ai has not reached them that they not only get their treaty but include three other cities too. God is not consulted. And Israel cannot draw back from a treaty sealed in friendship (the meal eaten together). The worst they can do is reduce the Gibeonites to slave status.

Why?

Israelite did not obey the word of the Lord, God has said don't make a treaty with Canaanite. But they did not listen.

To identify a matter is truth or lier we may ask the Lord, For the Lord knows everything. Don't make decisions by yourself. For something, we don't know.

For they have done the wrong treaty so they have to obey the treaty with Gibeon.

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基遍人知道與耶和華作對,一定不能勝。所以只有投降。因為以色列人要滅絕當地人,所以他們用巧計來投降。因為怕以色列人拒絕。有但書,申20:10-12 你臨近一座城、要攻打的時候,先要對城裡的民宣告和睦的話。他們若以和睦的話回答你,給你開了城,城裡所有的人都要給你效勞,服事你;若不肯與你和好,反要與你打仗,你就要圍困那城。所以神仍然希望人歸順,不希望滅絕迦南地的人。

基遍誠心求和。

以色列人反而沒有求問,也沒有求證。神為什麼沒有責備以色列人,因為以色列人守約是神喜悅的。以色列和他們立約,不是刻意要違背神的話。外邦人只是聽說就有順服的心志,要來投靠神。他們只是聽說,就願意事奉神,更何況我們這些經歷神許多大能,豈不是應該更降服在神的權柄之下。

基遍人雖然放下自己在會幕服事神。他們卻是最靠近神的人。

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How?

For the Lord is my God, so everything I can ask the Lord show me the way.



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