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”, and in chapter nine and verse eleven of the book of Joshua, we learn how the men of Gibeon continue by saying, “our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, Take victuals with you for the journey” where we read,
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.
The verse reads, “Wherefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “wherefore our elders” which means “therefore, then and on this account our, the men of Gibeon, aged and older men” “and all the inhabitants” or “and each, every, the whole and everyone of the dwellers, abiders and ones who remain” “of our country” which means “belonging to our, the Hivites’, territory, region, district and land” “spoke to us” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed to us, the men of Gibeon”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring and proclaiming” the following words. Joshua or the writer shared how the "men of Gibeon” said their aged men and the people who dwelled within their territory said the following words to them.
The verse continues, “… take victuals with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say unto them, …” Joshua or the writer added the words, “take victuals with you” which means “get, fetch, lay hold of, seize and acquire provisions, meat and food alongside and accompanying you, the men of Gibeon” “for your journey” or “on behalf of your, the men of Gibeon’s, road, pathway and course”, “and go to meet them” which means “and depart, proceed and move away to befall and encounter them, the people of Israel”, “and say unto them” or “and utter, declare and proclaim to them, the people of Israel” the following words. Joshua or the writer shared how the “men of Gibeon” said their “elders and inhabitants” told them to lay hold of food for their travels, leave and proceed to encounter the people of Israel, and to declare the following words.
Finally the verse says, “We are your servants: therefore now make you a league with us.” Joshua or the writer concluded this verse with the words, “we are your servants” which means “we, the men of Gibeon, exist as your, the people of Israel’s, bondmen, slaves and men of servile condition”: “therefore now make you a league with us” or “wherefore, then and on this account at this time cause you, the people of Israel, to fashion and form a covenant, alliance, treaty and pledge alongside us, the men of Gibeon”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “men of Gibeon” were instructed to tell the people of Israel that they existed as their men of servile condition and for this reason the people of Israel should fashion a covenant with them.
When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Joshua how the “men of Gibeon” continued to share their deceptive words with the people of Israel. They acted as though they were from a distant land where the people in that location told them to lay hold of food and provisions to travel to the people of Israel, and when they arrive, they were to tell the people of Israel that they were their men of servile condition. All of these things were meant to preserve the men of Gibeon’s lives, and we shall see how it works out for them in our next few verses. Joshua and the people of Israel believed these men from Gibeon, and rather that seeking the face of God, they took these men at their word. God wants us to have a close, intimate relationship with 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. When we submit to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and encourage us to always go to God before we make major commitments and alliances with others.
Next time 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”, 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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