"Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord. So Joshua made peace with them..." Joshua 9:14
Living in this physical, tangible world, I pride myself at times, on being decisive and pragmatic. I can calculate the best course of action and make the most logical and practical response. How very like Joshua I am. I imagine he was just starting to feel comfortable with this whole taking-over-for-Moses, leading-the-nation thing. He was developing a cadence. Hitting his stride.
He led them across the Jordan successfully, had them build a memorial, circumcised the entire nation, conquered Jericho, purged them of the disobedient ones, and defeated Ai in brilliant military prowess. He's probably thinking, "I got this!" Or, at least, "I think I'm getting the hang of this!"
And then... enter the Gibeonites. Joshua listens to their story, sees their clothes and provisions, and makes the obvious, logical move. That was easy. But in the passage, there is that one quiet, nagging phrase. "...but they did not ask counsel of the Lord."
It's the punch in the gut. How many times can that little phrase be inserted in the narrative of my life? Way too many, it saddens me to admit. I am so dependant upon my abilities or, so impatient to get going, that I'll figure it out on the fly. And then God-in His love for me-throws a curve. Yes, deceit and manipulation are a part of fallen man's DNA, but what I forget is that God uses even wickedness to bring my focus back to Him. God, in His faithfulness, keeps me tethered to Him, just like He did Joshua.
I have so many woodcutters and water carriers in my life as reminders of God's faithfulness and my rashness. The Lord reminded me of them again this morning.
