Today I read Joshua 9, in which Israel made a promise to not harm some of their neighbors because of the trickery of the Gibeonites. Today I considered that we can show people and strangers kindness but should not make promises until we as the Lord and hear His reply.
Tricked, Did Not Ask God
Kings banded together to either fight the Israelites or trick them into sparing their people (Joshua 9:1-27). The kings on their side of the Jordan heard about Israelites battles with Jericho and Ai and agreed to fight Israel together. The people of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath-jearim decided to have people dress up as ambassadors from a far country to trick Israel into making an agreement with them. They dressed in worn down clothes, with old wine bottles, old sacks, and moldy bread. They said they were from a far country, and came to the Israelites to be their servants because of the name of the Lord. Joshua and the princes made an agreement with them to servants that hew wood and draw water. After three days they found out the ambassadors were neighbors. The Israelites were bound because the princes swore to the Lord God of Israel concerning the false ambassadors. The Israelites did not inquire of God first. Joshua cursed them to always be their bondsmen and made them hewers of wood and drawers of water for the people and the altar of the Lord.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
Even if the evidence seems good and convincing, we need to ask God what is the truth before making a decision. The Israelites saw what they thought were strangers traveling a long way and showed them the kindness as they are supposed to show strangers. They did not ask God before making an agreement with the people. We can show people kindness that does not mean we should make promises to them.
Have you ever made a promise to someone and then regretted making the promise?