Ep 550 – Joshua 9:1-15

Whether we want to admit it or not, those of us who claim to be children of God can often live as if we don't really believe in God. We can acknowledge His existence and express faith in His love for us, but then, turn around and make decisions without His input. We can go through out day without giving Him a second thought. And in Joshua 9:1-5, we are going to see the Israelites do just that. Even after having built an altar to Him at Mount Ebal and having recommitted themselves to keeping His law, Joshua and the people of Israel will end up making an alliance with the Gibeonites. Sure, they were tricked into doing it. But the text makes it very clear that Joshua neglected to seek God's advice. He made a decision without divine assistance ­– never a wise move for the child of God. And not only would Joshua's ill-advised decision obligate the people of Israel, we will see that it obligated God, because it was made in His name. For the child of God, leaving Him out of the daily affairs of life is never a good plan. Failing to seek His counsel is a recipe for disaster.