In the book of Joshua, we are learned how the men of Gibeon fabricated a story about being from a distant place, “and the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation swore unto them”, and in chapter nine and verse sixteen of the book of Joshua, we learn what happened, “at the end of three days after they had made a league with them” where we read,
And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them,
that they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they dwelt among them.
The verse reads, “And it came to pass at the end of three days after they had made a league with them, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and it came to pass” which means “and it happened and occurred” “at the end of three days” or “at the extremity, completion and finish of three sunrises to sunsets” “after they had made a league” which means “following the time they, the people of Israel, formed, fashioned, accomplished and produced an alliance, pledge, covenant and agreement” “with them” or “alongside or with them, the men of Gibeon” the following happened. Joshua or the writer said the following occurred after “three” sunrises to sunsets following the agreement that was formed between the people of Israel and the “men of Gibeon”.
The verse continues, “… that they heard that they were their neighbors, and that they dwelt among them.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “that they heard” which means “that they, the men of Israel, were given the faculty for hearing, perceiving, noticing, distinguishing and discerning” “that they were their neighbors” or “that they, the men of Gibeon, existed as people who lived near and close at hand to the people of Israel”, “and that they dwelt” which means “and that they, the men of Gibeon, were set, lived and abided” “among them” or “in the midst or middle of them”. Joshua or the writer shared how the people of Israel perceived that the “men of Gibeon” were people who lived near and in the midst of them.
When we think through the words in this verse, we see how the people of Israel discovered that the “men of Gibeon” were not from a distant land, but actually lived very close to them. This took “three days” to discover, and we can imagine the minds of those in Israel who realized they had been deceived. Sometimes deception takes a little while to be unveiled, as one said, “you don’t know what kind of tree you have until you see what kind of fruit it’s bearing. It takes a little while”. Jesus said, “every good tree brings forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt three bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire”. (See Matthew 7:17-19) We are wise to listen to Jesus’ words who came into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we submit to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will not only guide us into all truth, but also empower us to live according to that truth so we may discern between someone is not bearing good fruit and those who produce fruit for the Kingdom of God that remains. (See John 15:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8)
Next time we learn how, “the children of Israel journeyed, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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