Contemplative Bible Reading

Joshua 9:14 (New Living Translation)

14 So the Israelites examined their food, but they did not consult the Lord.

This is part of the (hi)story of the people coming into the land the LORD had promised them. Joshua was leading them. As they progressed, they won a string of military victories. People in the land were rightly afraid.

Some people in Gibeon had a plan of deception. The plan worked. The Israelites examined the goods held by the people from Gibeon. Everything seemed in order. The deception was well crafted and was working. The Israelites believed what they saw. They did not, however, consult the LORD.

They were fooled. They were foolish.

Consult the LORD. Everything I see, taste, touch, hear, and all that tells me one thing. Consult the LORD. But, but, but… wrong. Consult the LORD. Just do it. Consult the LORD.