Sunday, May 24: Joshua

Joshua 9

⁹“They said to him, “From a very distant country your servants have come, because of the name of the Lord your God. For we have heard a report of him, and all that he did in Egypt, ¹⁰ and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan, to Sihon the king of Heshbon, and to Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth. ¹¹ So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, ‘Take provisions in your hand for the journey and go to meet them and say to them, “We are your servants. Come now, make a covenant with us.”’

(Joshua 9:9-11 ESV)
As the Israelites continue their campaign into Canaanite territory, the news of their victories has gone ahead of them. Some of the rulers band together to fight them directly, but one group decides to try a bit craftier tactics.

Despite having just re-learned their need to trust in God in chapters seven and eight, Israel will once again decide that they probably don’t need to consult with God before making their next move.

Unfortunately, that’s still the wrong choice. The consequences that follow aren’t the sort that Israel will soon be rid of, but thankfully our God is faithful to work out his good despite the often-short-sighted-decisions that we make. Maybe it’s a good idea to just trust God in the first place?

Join us this week as we explore what Israel was called to do, the reasons why Israel was deceived, and how God continues to be merciful despite our shortcomings.

See you Sunday!