What does Joshua 9:6 teach about seeking God's guidance in decision-making? A surprising knock at Gilgal • Joshua 9:6: “They went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the men of Israel, ‘We have come from a distant land; please make a treaty with us.’” • Israel had just seen Jericho and Ai fall by God’s power; word spread, and the Gibeonites devised a disguise to secure peace. • Their request sounds harmless, even flattering. Yet the verse is intentionally recorded to set up a contrast: a critical decision is being placed before Joshua, one that appears urgent and reasonable on the surface. Where consultation stopped short • The narrative moves quickly to verse 14: “So the men of Israel sampled their provisions, but did not seek the LORD’s counsel.” • By pairing 9:6 with 9:14, Scripture shows that the real issue was not the Gibeonites’ clever story but Israel’s failure to pause and ask God. • Israel leaned on sight (worn sandals, dry bread) and on logic (“They must be far away; God only forbids treaties with nearby nations,” cf. Deuteronomy 20:16-18). • The episode underscores that even seasoned leaders can skip the simple step of prayerful inquiry. Core truths about guidance drawn from 9:6 • Urgency is not an excuse. The travelers appear suddenly, but haste cannot replace prayer (cf. Isaiah 28:16, “whoever believes will not act hastily”). • Plausible evidence can still mask deception. “Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). • God is willing to direct when asked. Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 32:8; James 1:5 all promise clear guidance to those who seek it. • A covenant made without God’s counsel becomes a burden later (Joshua 9:19-27). Choices made in the flesh bind us long-term. Practicing discernment today 1. Pause. Build space between the request and the response. Quick agreements often bypass prayer. 2. Pray specifically. Ask, “Lord, is this from You?” (cf. 1 Samuel 23:2-4; 2 Samuel 5:19). 3. Search Scripture. God’s written Word exposes hidden motives and faulty reasoning (Hebrews 4:12). 4. Seek godly counsel. Multiple Spirit-filled voices help confirm direction (Proverbs 11:14). 5. Look for peace from the Spirit, not merely favorable circumstances (Colossians 3:15). Key takeaways • Joshua 9:6 spotlights the moment of decision; what follows shows the cost of neglecting God’s guidance. • The verse teaches that every offer, no matter how attractive or logical, deserves prayerful consultation with the Lord. • When we trust God’s wisdom above our own perceptions, He keeps us from entangling compromises and steers us onto His best path. |
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