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 your 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. 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”, and in chapter nine and verse thirteen of the book of Joshua, we learn how the men of Gibeon continued by saying, “these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new” where we read,
And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent:
and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.
The verse reads, “And these bottles of wine, which we filled, were new; and, behold, they be rent:” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and these bottles of wine” which means “and the skin or leather container used for liquid fruit of the vine”, “which we filled” or “that we, the men of Gibeon, replenished and made full”, “were new” which means “existed as fresh; “and, behold” or “and lo, look and consider, ”, “they be rent” which means “they, the bottles of wine, exist as torn and broken open”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “men of Gibeon” told the people of Israel that they were carrying fresh leather skin “bottles” which they replenished with “wine” at the time they left their homes, however, those “bottles” were now torn and broken open.
The verse goes on to say, “and these our garments and our shoes are become old by reason of the very long journey.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and these our garments” which means “and the articles of outer clothing, wrappers or mantles which were worn by the men of Gibeon” “and our shoes” or “and our, the men of Gibeon’s, sandals” “are become old” which means “have become old and worn out” “by reason of the very long journey” or “through the means and cause of the exceedingly great and plentiful road, travel and pathway”. Joshua or the writer shared how the “men of Gibeon” also told the people of Israel that their clothing and footwear had become old and worn out because they had such and exceedingly long time of travel.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how the “men of Gibeon” continued to lie to Joshua and the people of Israel. They were not a great distance from Israel as we shall see, however they made as though their food, clothing, shoes and leather wine bottles were worn out because they had traveled so long. God knew the truth, and because the people of Israel did not go to Him in prayer, the people of Israel, as we shall see, believed them. God wants a personal intimate relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for our sins and was raised from the dead after three days. When we surrender to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Sprit who will guide us into all truth and teach us to rely upon God before we make any decisions about things we do not know.
Next time we learn how the men of Israel, “asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD”, 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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