After Joshua renews and reviews Israel's covenant with the Lord, he wrongly assumes all is well. Because of that assumption, he makes a colossal error and–despite his zeal to obey the Lord–directly disobeys Him.

Sadly, men of action sometimes see prayer as a last resort. Throughout Scripture, the Lord repeatedly invites us to ask Him for wisdom (for example, Proverbs 2:3-6 and James 1:5). Joshua and his fellow leaders, however, are deceived by what they see. They see the Gibeonites' ″worn and patched sandals″ and ″dry and mouldy″ bread (Joshua 9:5), and trust their words that they come from a distant country. Joshua and his leaders fail to pray before making a peace treaty with them (v. 14). Thankfully, Joshua will learn his lesson–just in time to ask for a great miracle in the next chapter.

Interestingly, the envoys from the large and feared city of Gibeon express great faith. When asked why they had deceived the Israelites, they tell Joshua: ″Your servants were clearly told how the Lord your God had commanded his servant Moses to give you the whole land and to wipe out all its inhabitants from before you. So we feared for our lives because of you, and that is why we did this″ (v. 24).

The Israelite leaders' response is also notable: ″Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water-carriers in the service of the whole assembly″ (v. 21). Despite the deceit, the leaders decide to keep their promise to the Gibeonites.

This illustrates an important principle: wisdom is needed to know how to obey the Lord's commands when we face a dilemma or conflicting laws. Rahab had chosen to commit treason against her own city and bear false witness in order to protect the two Israelite spies (2:4-6) because she feared the God of the Israelites and acknowledged His sovereignty. Now, even though Joshua and his fellow leaders are supposed to wipe out all the inhabitants of Canaan, they decide to keep their promise to the Gibeonites. This agreement is sacred because it had been ratified by an oath made in the name of the Lord (9:15, 18-19). In keeping this promise, Joshua and the leaders show that they are men of integrity, men who stand by their word. Though humiliated by what had transpired, they do not want to bring disgrace on God and His people by breaking a sacred treaty.

Today, let us not repeat the mistake of not enquiring of the Lord before making a decision (v. 14). Instead, let us ask the Lord for wisdom in every sphere of our lives.