We are Your Servants - Joshua 9:8

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 in chapter nine and verse eight of the book of Joshua, we learn how the men of Gibeon, “said unto Joshua, We are your servants” where we read, 

And they said unto Joshua, We are your servants. 

And Joshua said unto them, Who are you? and from where do you come?

The verse reads, “And they said unto Joshua, We are your servants.” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and they said unto Joshua” which means “and they, the Hivites, uttered, declared and proclaimed to Joshua whose name means Jehovah is salvation”, “we are your servants”  or “we, the Hivites, exist as your, the people of Israel’s, men of servile condition, slaves or bondmen”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “Hivites” told “Joshua” that they existed as the people of “Israel’s” bondmen or men of servile condition. 

 

The verse goes on to say, “And Joshua said unto them, Who are you? and from where do you come?” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Joshua” whose name means “Jehovah is salvation” “said unto them” or “uttered, declared and proclaimed to them, the Hivites”, “who are you” which means “what people do you, Hivites, exist as”? “and from where do you come” or “and from what place or location do you, the Hivites, enter and approach”?  Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” asked the “Hivites” who they were and from what location they came. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the “Hivites” told “Joshua” that they were the people of Israel’s bondservants which caused him to ask them who they were and from where they came. Joshua investigated these deceptive people and their attempt to save themselves, however, he did not ask for Jehovah God’s words concerning them. God wants people to call upon Him, and when we realize He gave His Son Jesus to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, we may be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit as we put our trust and faith in Him as our personal “Savior and Lord”. Regardless of who comes into our lives, let us learn this lesson, go to God first before we commit to “make an alliance” with anyone.

Next time we learn how the men of Gibeon, “said unto him, From a very far country your servants are come because of the name of the LORD your God”, 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".