Joshua 9:14

Then the men of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not seek the counsel of the LORD.

Study Bible

Then the men of Israel
This phrase refers to the leaders or representatives of the Israelite community. In the context of Joshua 9, the Israelites are in the process of conquering the Promised Land. The "men of Israel" signifies those who were responsible for making decisions on behalf of the people. Historically, these leaders were expected to act with wisdom and discernment, especially in matters of covenant and warfare. Their actions were meant to reflect the will and guidance of God, as they were His chosen people.

sampled their provisions
The Hebrew root for "sampled" can be understood as "taking" or "receiving." This action implies a physical examination or testing of the goods presented by the Gibeonites. The provisions were meant to deceive the Israelites into believing that the Gibeonites came from a distant land. This act of sampling without further inquiry highlights a reliance on human senses and judgment rather than spiritual discernment. It serves as a cautionary tale about the limitations of human perception and the importance of seeking divine guidance.

but did not seek the LORD’s counsel
This phrase is central to the verse and underscores the critical error made by the Israelites. The Hebrew word for "seek" implies an intentional and earnest inquiry. In the context of the Old Testament, seeking the LORD's counsel often involved prayer, consultation with a prophet, or the use of the Urim and Thummim. The failure to seek God's guidance here is a significant oversight, especially given the covenantal nature of the Israelites' relationship with God. This omission serves as a reminder of the necessity of divine guidance in decision-making processes. It reflects a broader biblical principle that human wisdom is insufficient without the insight and direction provided by God. The consequences of this failure are seen later in the chapter, as the Israelites are bound by an oath to the Gibeonites, which complicates their conquest of the land. This teaches the importance of prioritizing spiritual discernment over mere human judgment.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Joshua
The leader of Israel after Moses, tasked with leading the Israelites into the Promised Land.

2. The Israelites
The people of God, who are in the process of conquering the land of Canaan as God commanded.

3. The Gibeonites
A group of people from Canaan who deceived the Israelites into making a peace treaty with them by pretending to be from a distant land.

4. Gibeon
A significant city in Canaan, whose inhabitants sought to make a treaty with Israel to avoid destruction.

5. The Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

Teaching Points

The Importance of Seeking God's Counsel
The Israelites' failure to seek God's guidance led to unintended consequences. This teaches us the importance of consulting God in all our decisions, big or small.

Discernment in Decision-Making
The deception by the Gibeonites serves as a reminder to be discerning and not rely solely on appearances or human wisdom.

Consequences of Neglecting Prayer
The Israelites' oversight in not praying for guidance resulted in a binding treaty with the Gibeonites. This underscores the potential consequences of neglecting prayer in our lives.

God's Sovereignty and Grace
Despite the Israelites' mistake, God used the situation for good, showing His sovereignty and grace. This encourages us to trust that God can redeem our errors.

Learning from Mistakes
The incident with the Gibeonites is a lesson in learning from past mistakes and seeking to align our actions with God's will in the future.

Bible Study Questions

1. What can we learn from the Israelites' failure to seek God's counsel in Joshua 9:14, and how can we apply this lesson in our daily decision-making?

2. How does the account of the Gibeonites' deception challenge us to be more discerning in our interactions with others?

3. In what ways can we ensure that we are seeking God's guidance in our lives, as encouraged in Proverbs 3:5-6?

4. How does the outcome of the Israelites' treaty with the Gibeonites demonstrate God's sovereignty and ability to work through our mistakes?

5. Reflect on a time when you made a decision without seeking God's guidance. What was the outcome, and how might things have been different if you had sought His counsel?

Connections to Other Scriptures

Proverbs 3:5-6
This passage emphasizes the importance of trusting in the Lord and seeking His guidance in all decisions, contrasting with the Israelites' failure to seek God's counsel in Joshua 9:14.

James 1:5
Encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, which the Israelites neglected to do in this situation.

1 Samuel 30:8
Illustrates a positive example where David seeks God's guidance before making a decision, highlighting the importance of consulting God.