Message by Larry Thacker Jr. from May 16
Over the years we have talked about how God’s word should direct our lives and how all of it, including the Old Testament, is of value for us today. It all points to Jesus, and we can find wisdom everywhere we look. We have also talked about making good decisions. One think I have stressed every time the topic comes up is the importance of looking to God for answers, usually siting the story of Joshua and the Gibeonites as an example of why that is important. Something that happened with us last week got me thinking about that story again, so I thought it would be of benefit for all of us to examine. I did ask the Lord.
The story is found in Joshua, Chapter 9. We’ll read Joshua 9:9-16, but we’ll cover material found in chapters 9 and 10. Joshua has led the Israelites across the Jordan and conquered the towns of Jericho and Ai. Hearing of this and afraid of being next, the inhabitants of Gibeon hatch a plot to avoid the same fate. Having learned that the Israelites were charged with driving out the peoples of the land, they tricked Joshua and the leaders of Israel into thinking they came from far away, and got them to agree to a treaty. We find the critical error in verse 14. Israel did not ask the Lord first.
But there’s more to this story. Yes, Israel has violated God’s commandment not to make treaties with the people of the land that He was giving them, but they did it in ignorance, not in rebellion. Even after they learned that the Gibeonites lived nearby, they kept there word. The Gibeonites’ action was not without consequence. They would live as slaves, but they would live. When the kings around them got together to attack them, Israel was bound to defend them. God turned their Israel’s error into an opportunity for them to defeat more of their enemies, giving them supernatural help in the process.
This account teaches us a few things about how we should live. Never think that God has no interest in the decisions that you make. Never assume that you know the answer. Don’t forget to include Him, and then obey. Keep your word, even when the other party is dishonest. You answer for your own actions. Finally, do not despair when you find you have erred. Stay true to the Lord, and know that He can turn your failure into His success.
