Behind the Veil!

Let’s look at a very fascinating story in Joshua 9. The Israelites were making their way to the Promised Land, they had downed a few nations and moving on to the next batch. When the Gibeonites heard of what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they devised a plan that would ensure they were not mowed down like the other nations. The bible says they “craftily” went to Joshua to pretend they were ambassadors from a far country. In order to make their ruse seem real, they wore old clothes and torn sandals, used old sacks to carry their provisions and torn and mended old wine skins as well as moldy bread.

When Joshua questioned their story, they said ” This bread of ours was warm when we packed it at home on the day we left to come to you. But now see how dry and moldy it is. And these wineskins that we filled were new, but see how cracked they are. And our clothes and sandals are worn out by the very long journey.” Joshua swallowed their tales hook, line and sinker, took the provisions they offered and made a peace treaty not to destroy them. Three days later, the Israelites found out that the Gibeonites were actually their neighbors who had deceived them into signing the treaty.

Verse 14 is my focus this morning. It says “The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the Lord.” (Before making the peace pact with them)

Appearances can indeed be deceptive and as Christians we cannot take important decisions based on appearances and without consulting God. Many things and people around us are not what they seem to be and so if you do not look behind the veil, you might commit to something you did not bargain for. Yes, God orders the steps of the righteous, yes He leads us in the paths of righteousness but we must first commit our steps to Him, then listen to His counsel and follow His lead.

You cannot afford to make important decisions based on superficial attributes or scanty knowledge or information. Certain decisions such as what to eat or wear or drink do not need much work or thought but decisions as to who to marry, what job to take, church to join, where to live are important enough to warrant thought, investigation and seeking the counsel of God.

“All that glitters is not gold”. Many have lost their way, been ensnared, bonded to the devil’s sibling because they were fooled by appearances, failed to look behind the veil and seek counsel from the Lord. The Gibeonite deception was successful because the Israelites failed to do these.

Determine that in this year you will run your decisions by God and actually follow His leading; you know He will not lead you astray.

Blessings.
Love, Lady Monica