In the book of Joshua, we learned how the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto the cities go 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”, and in chapter nine and verse nineteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how the “princes” of Israel said, “we have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel” where we read,
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.
The verse reads, “But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “but all the princes” which means “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover each, the whole and every one of the leaders, chiefs, chieftains and officials” “said unto the congregation” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to the gathered assembly”, “we have sworn unto them” which means “we, the officials of Israel, promised, made a covenant and formed an alliance with them, the people of Gibeah” “by the LORD God” or “through the means of Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name of the One True God who is the Supreme Deity” “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 each and every one of the officials and leaders of Israel told the people who were assembled how they made an oath with the men of Gibeah through the means of Jehovah God who is the Supreme Deity of “Israel”.
The verse goes on to say, “now therefore we may not touch them.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “now therefore” which means “at this time wherefore, then and on this account” “we may not touch them” or “we, the leaders of Israel, are unable to violently strike, hit or beat them, the men of Gibeah”. Joshua or the writer shared how the leaders of Israel told the assembled people that they were unable to violently strike and beat the men of Gibeah.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the leaders of Israel began to explain why they were unable to strike the men of Gibeah. They told the assembled crowd that they had made a covenant with the men of Gibeah, and their promise was given through Jehovah God. It is interesting to note that the leaders of Israel felt obligated to keep their promise to the men of Gibeah, but they did not go to Jehovah God in prayer prior to making the agreement with them. God wants us to yield our lives to Him completely through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind, and when He raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and give us the wisdom to seek His direction before we make agreements with others that obligate us in ways that are out of alignment with Him.
Next time we learn how the men of Israel say, “we will even let them live, lest wrath be upon us”, 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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