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 in chapter nine and verse fifteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how Joshua and the leaders of Israel, “made a league with them” where we read,
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.
The verse reads, “And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” “made peace with them” or “fashioned, accomplished and produced soundness, completeness, quiet and contentment with the men of Gibeon”, “and made a league with them” which means “fashioned, accomplished and produced an alliance, pledge, covenant and agreement with them, the men of Gibeon”, “to let them live” or “to allow and permit them to remain alive, breathing and animated”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” not only produced quiet and tranquility with the “men of Gibeon”, but he also formed a covenant with them to allow them to remain alive.
The verse goes on to say, “and the princes of the congregation swore unto them.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and the princes” which means “and the chiefs, captains and leaders” “of the congregation” or “belonging to the gathering or assembly” “swore unto them” which means “adjured and took an oath toward them, the men of Gibeon”. Joshua or the writer shared how the leaders within the assembly of Israel took an oath toward the “men of Gibeon”.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how “Joshua” formed a “peace treaty” with the “men of Gibeon” even though they continued with their deception. The leaders of Israel who were assembled also took an oath concerning this agreement. In other words, all of them were deceived. They did not go to Jehovah God in prayer before making this commitment, and this should serve as a reminder to us to seek God’s face before we make decisions in our lives. God loves us, and when He sent His Only Begotten 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, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord” to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and given His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and remind us to go to Jehovah God in prayer for the decisions, both large and small, that come into our lives.
Next time we learn what happened, “at the end of three days after they had made a league with them”, 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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