In the book of Joshua, we are learned how the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto the men of Gibeah’s cities on the third day.“Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim”, and in chapter nine and verse eighteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how, “the children of Israel smote them not” where we read,
And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.
The verse reads, “And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the children of Israel” which means “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “smote them not” or “did not hit, beat or kill them, the men of Gibeon”, “because the princes” which means “since and on account of the leaders, chiefs, chieftains and officials” “of the congregation” or “belonging to the gathering or assembly of Israel” “had sworn unto them” which means “promised, adjured and took an oath toward them, the men of Gibeon” “by the LORD God” or “through the means of Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God” “of Israel” which means “belonging to Israel whose name means God prevails and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob”. Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring belonging to “Israel” did not beat or kill the “men of Gibeah” on account that their leaders and officials made a covenant with them through their Supreme Deity Jehovah God.
The verse continues, “And all the congregation murmured against the princes.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “and all the congregation murmured” which means “and each, every, the whole and everyone within the gathering and assembly grumbled and complained” “against the princes” or “in opposition to the chiefs, chieftains, leaders and officials of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how everyone within the assembly of the people of Israel began to grumble and complain in opposition to their leaders and officials.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how the offspring of “Israel” did not beat or kill the “men of Gibeah” on account that their leaders took an oath by Jehovah God that they would not harm them. This action caused the people of “Israel” to complain against their leaders, and we can imagine how this affected all of “Israel”. God knew the deception that was being carried out by the “men of Gibeah”, and the leaders of “Israel” did not go to Him in prayer to seek His advice. Now the leaders of “Israel” were keeping their promise and oath to the “men of Gibeah”, and their people were upset. God wants us to come to Him through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days, and when we yield to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us who will guide us into the truth and remind us to pray before we make commitments that will harm us and others in the future.
Next time we learn how the leaders of Israel say, “we have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel”, 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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