I might call today’s Lesson something like this: “The Occasional Value of WAITING!”
And our thought still centers on the 9th chapter of Joshua. Yes, the story of the Gibeonites and the way they deceived Joshua and the Jews. (A massive amount of Bible Literature exists on this event, nearly every commentary on the book of Joshua is “heavy” with discussion over this ruse.)
Here’s the essence of it: A neighboring Canaanite tribe (most often called the Gibeonites), among the enemies of God who were to be destroyed … came to Joshua “in disguise!” Dressing in old clothes like they had marched a long distance, eating bread that looked old and ruining … they asked for asylum! “And when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done unto Jericho and to Ai, they did work wilily, and went and made as if they had been ambassadors, and took old sacks upon their asses, and wine bottles, old, and rent, and bound up; and old shoes and clouted upon their feet, and old garments upon them; and all the bread of their provision was dry and mouldy.” Joshua 9:3-5, wherein notice that (apparently) one can lie by “actions” as well as by words!
So … Joshua (unwisely) made a treaty with them. “And Joshua made peace with them, and made a league with them, to let them live: and the princes of the congregation sware (agreed) unto them.” Joshua 9:15
As a result, Israel will be perpetually living near her wicked enemies, at least some of them! In fact, these (blatantly ungodly) “cursed ones” will be living “within” Israel’s God-given Territory, the Promised Land! (Once you make a promise, a vow, it clearly NEEDS to be kept, upheld! Here’s one trait of a godly man: “He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.” Psalm 15:4, keeping his word, even if it hurts! Parents … that probably even means promises made to children!)
A “blot” in Israel’s handling of life in their new land, the deceptive Gibeonites.
Oh, I nearly forgot.
The point of today’s Lesson. “And it came to pass AT THE END OF THREE DAYS after they had made a league with them, that THEY HEARD that they were their neighbours, and that they dwelt among them.” Joshua 9:16
Wow!
Had they only waited!
Just a few hours, only 72 it looks like!
They would have “heard” the truth!
There are verses (lots of them) like this: “But they that wait upon the LORD …”
But, in the Gibeonite case, Israel did not WAIT on anyone!
So verses 17-19 tell … “And the children of Israel journeyed, and came unto their (the Gibeonite’s) cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, and Chephirah, and Beeroth, and Kirjathjearim. And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes. But all the princes said unto all the congregation, We have sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel: now therefore we may not touch them.”
Whole cities (at least 4) full of iniquity, abominable people … whom Israel cannot touch, due to a premature decision!
In a sense, bad leadership!
In a sense, a mistake the consequences of which will impact Israel for many years!
In a sense, a Lesson on (at least sometimes) … WAITING A BIT!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
Of course if one has a precise verse of Scripture telling him or her what to do … DO NOT WAIT. Obey immediately. Not to do so becomes (in that case) sinful delay!
Isaiah 28:16 ends with these words, further admonition: “He that believeth shall not make haste.”
One more “Wow!”