Consultation

The Israelites had just gotten through defeating the towns of Jericho and Ai. The people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to both these towns so they resorted to deception in order to save themselves from the same destruction. The kings west of the Jordan River had already joined forces in order to fight as one against Joshua and the Israelites, so the people of Gibeon put together a deceptive plan.

They sent ambassadors to Joshua, loading their donkeys with withered saddlebags and old, patched wineskins. They put on worn-out, patched sandals and ragged clothes. And the bread they took with them was dry and moldy. When they arrived at the camp of Israel at Gilgal, they told Joshua and the men of Israel, "We have come from a distant land to ask you to make a peace treaty with us." The Israelites replied to these Hivites, "How do we know you don't live nearby? For if you do, we cannot make a treaty with you." They replied, "We are your servants". "But who are you?" Joshua demanded. "Where do you come from?" They answered, "Your servants have come from a very distant country. We have heard of the might of the Lord your God and of all he did in Egypt. We have also heard what he did to the two Amorite kings east of the Jordan River--King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan (who lived in Ashtaroth). So our elders and all our people instructed us, 'Take supplies for a long journey. Go meet with the people of Israel and tell them, "We are your servants; please make a treaty with us."

"This bread was hot from the ovens when we left our homes. But now, as you can see, it is dry and moldy. These wine skins were new when we filled them, but now they are old and split open. And our clothing and sandals are worn out from our very long journey."

"So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord." Then Joshua made a peace treaty with them and guaranteed their safety, and the leaders of the community ratified their agreement with a binding oath." (Joshua 9:4b-15)

Outwardly, everything looked squared away to Joshua and the Israelites. The story seemed believable and the Israelites examined the food, however, they made a big, big mistake--they forgot to consult the Lord! God can see what man cannot! He is Sovereign!

How many times do we go about our lives making decisions that matter for eternity without ever consulting the Lord? Young people make life altering decisions like marriage without ever consulting the Lord on WHO to marry. Many people take on new jobs without ever asking God on what HE wants our what we should do.  I see parents allowing their children and teenagers to make decisions that matter for eternity as if it were as simple as choosing between where to eat lunch. When we fail to consult God in any matter that matters for eternity, we are setting ourselves up for failure! Any eternal decision that is made in our lives, must be proceeded with a meeting with the LORD OF OUR LIVES. He has the answers, he is just waiting for us to come to him for those answers. He is waiting and willing to lead and direct every area of our lives.

Are there any decisions in your life where you have failed to consult with the Lord? What was the result of failing to do so? As parents, it is vital that our children/teenagers see us consulting with God on eternal matters!