Things Are Not Always As They Seem

 

In chapters 7-12 of Joshua we read of the Israelites capturing the people in the promised land. God was pretty specific in His instructions that the Israelites should kill all of the people in the boundary of the promised land. As you might imagine, this wouldn’t go over well with all of those people. A people named the Gibeonites decide that since they can’t defeat Israel, perhaps they can trick Israel. They pretend to be travellers from far away, using moldy, dry bread and sandals and clothing that are worn out. When presented with these people, we read that Joshua and the Israelites make a big mistake: 14 Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the Lord. 15 So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them. Israel did not seek counsel of the Lord. They trusted their own eyes but they were deceived by the Gibeonites. They made a vow not to kill the Gibeonites and then later discovered that they were from the promised land area, not far away as the Gibeonites had told them.

Isn’t it true that often in our lives things are not as they seem to be? But we don’t find that out until the damage is done. How can we avoid this? The best way I know is to seek the counsel of the Lord. I know that in relationships, most of the time if we ask God or read what He says about relationships we would be able to say, “well, obviously, she is not for me…or, I should not involve myself with him.” It is usually pretty clear if we seek God’s counsel; which can often come through other people. If you have a decision to make, please ask yourself, “What does God say about this?” Things are not always as they seem to us, but God always sees things clearly and correctly.