In the book of Joshua, we are learned how, “the men of Israel said unto the Hivites, Peradventure you dwell among us; and how shall we make a league with you? And they said unto Joshua, We are your servants. And Joshua said unto them, Who are you? and from where do you come? And they said unto him, From a very far country thy servants are come because of the name of the LORD your God: for we have heard the fame of him, and all that he did in Egypt, and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites, that were beyond Jordan, to Sihon king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, which was at Ashtaroth. Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, We are your servants: therefore now make you a league with us.”, and in chapter nine and verse twelve of the book of Joshua, we learn how the men of Gibeon continue by saying, “This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth” where we read,
This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you; but now, behold, it is dry, and it is moldy:
The verse reads, “This our bread we took hot for our provision out of our houses on the day we came forth to go unto you;” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “this our bread” which means “these our, the men of Gibeon’s, food, grain or victuals” “we took hot for our provision” or “we, the men of Gibeon, lay hold of warm and heated on behalf of our, the men of Gibeon’s, food and victuals” “out of our houses” which means “from our, the men of Gibeon’s, dwelling places, abodes and habitations” “on the day we came forth” or “upon the sunrise to sunset or time period that we, the men of Gibeon, departed, exited and proceeded” “to go unto you” which means “to depart, proceed and move to you, the people of Israel”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “men of Gibeon” told Joshua and the people of Israel that they took the food from their homes with them while it was heated and warm at the time they left to proceed toward the people of Israel.
The verse continues, “… but now, behold, it is dry, and it is moldy:” Joshua or the writer added the words, “but now” which means “however, notwithstanding, nonetheless and moreover at this time”, “behold, it is dry” or “lo, look and consider, it, the food, exists as crumbling, hard and without moisture”, “and it is moldy” which means “and it, the food, exists as spotted and pricked with mold”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “men of Gibeon” called upon the people of Israel to notice how their food was crumbling and hard as well as spotted with mold.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how the “men of Gibeon” continued their deception with Joshua and the people of Israel. As though they had been traveling for a great distance, their food was without moisture and filled with mold. They were lying, and Joshua and the people of Israel did not appeal to God to discover their pernicious ways. God wants us to always go to Him in prayer as we make commitments in our lives. He loves us, and He proved His love when 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 give us His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and remind us to go to God before we make choices that will adversely affect our lives.
Next time we learn how the men of Gibeon continue by saying, “these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new”, 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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