In the book of Joshua, we learned how the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto the cities of the men of Gibeah on the third day. “Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. 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. But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them”, and in chapter nine and verse twenty of the book of Joshua, we learn how the men of Israel said, “we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us” where we read,
This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us,
because of the oath which we swore unto them.
The verse reads, “This we will do to them; we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “this we will do to them” which means “the following shall we, the people of Israel, accomplish and perform toward them, the men of Gibeah”; “we will even let them live” or “we, the people of Israel, shall also and indeed allow and permit them, the men of Gibeah, to remain alive, continue breathing and sustain life”, “lest wrath be upon us” which means “unless anger and wrath exists on us, the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how the people of Israel told their leaders that they would allow the men of Gibeah to remain alive or anger and rage would exist on them.
The verse continues, “… because of the oath which we swore unto them.” Joshua or the writer added the words, “because of the oath” which means “since and on account of the promise, alliance, agreement, covenant, treaty and pledge” “which we swore unto them” or “that we, the people of Israel, promised and took an oath toward them, the men of Gibeah”. Joshua or the writer shared how the assembled people of Israel told their leaders that they would allow the men of Gibeah to remain alive on account of the oath and commitment they made with them.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua or the writer how the people of Israel agreed to allow the men of Gibeah to remain alive or anger and rage would rest upon them for breaking their promise. Their devotion and determination to keep their word is commendable, however, they made their alliance without consulting God Almighty and before they knew the men of Gibeah were lying. God wants us to rely upon Him, and because He loves us, He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and give us the wisdom and determination to go to Him first and follow His direction in everything we do.
Next time we learn how “the princes said unto them, Let them live”, 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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