They Forgot to Inquire

They forgot to inquire of the Lord.
Joshua 9

Dealing with people all the time who show up wanting to rent an apt. makes it a bit simpler to understand how Joshua missed it with God. These people from another city came in and wanted to secure a peace treaty with Joshua, and in order to do that, they put on an elaborate act. They were actually coming from a nearly city that soon would be overtaken by Joshua's army but, they dressed down in old tathered clothes, put moldy bread on their donkeys, and walked into the city dragging and everything as if they had come a thousand miles.

Own Brother Joshua was smart. He checked them out and saw that everything pointed to them telling Joshua the truth. Joshua could even see that the shoes they were wearing had been patched. This group of men didn't miss any of the tricks. All this and they were really only 19 miles away from home. Well anyway, Joshua looked at them and believed their story. He granted them a covenant that saved their lives. Problem is, Joshua didn't ask God before making the 'peace treaty. Joshua goofed. He was too quick to see things through his own eyes, and once he found out about their lies to him, Joshua was bound by his oath.

It's a simple lesson we can all learn to live by. Yes, we might be experienced and have a pretty good judge of character going for us, but it behoves us to inquire of the Lord first. He can see we can't.


~ ~ I Believe! ~ ~