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“Asked Not Counsel At The Mouth Of The Lord” (Joshua 9:14) In the midst of great success, Israel showed a great lack of wisdom that sadly many still make today. |
“Asked Not Counsel At The Mouth Of The Lord” (Joshua 9:14)
In the midst of great success, Israel showed a great lack of wisdom that sadly many still make today.
- Problem: Not doing what God desired. Israel had been instructed to destroy the cities of Canaan and make no treaties with them (Ex. 34:12-17; Deut. 30:10-18). But they were deceived into making a treaty with the Gibeonites (v1-15).
- Root of the Problem: They relied on their own wisdom (v14). We must realize that man needs the wisdom of God (Prov. 14:12; Jer. 10:23) that has been revealed to us (Ps. 119:105; 2 Tim. 3:16). Too often God’s wisdom and author-ity (Col. 3:17) is rejected because of ignorance (Hos. 4:6; Eph. 5:17; 2 Tim. 2:15); relying on our own wisdom (Isa. 55:8-9; 1 Cor. 1:18-19); trusting in others (Matt. 7:15; 15:8-9); and/or apathy (Isa. 30:10; 2 Tim. 4:3-4).
- Problem Evidenced: For Israel it was in making this treaty with the Gibeonites; for many today it is seen in not respect-ing the authority of God (Col. 3:17) in matters of: salvation (Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:6; Luke 13:3; Rom. 10:9-10; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38); organization of the church (Eph. 1:22; Acts 20:28; 1 Tim. 3; 2:9, 12); unity of the church (Eph. 4:4; 1 Cor. 1:10; John 17:21; Rom. 16:16); worship of the church (Eph. 5:19; Col. 3:16; 1 Cor. 11:23-26; 16:1-2; Matt. 15:9); marriage and the home (Matt. 19:4-6, 9; Eph. 5:22-6:4); moral issues (Phil. 4:8; 1 Thess. 5:21-22; Gal. 5:19-21; 1 Cor. 6:9-10; Rom. 6:4, 6, 13; 12:1-2); etc.
