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Day 209 – Discernment Joshua 9:1 It happened when the kings on this side of the Jordan, in the hills and in the lowland and in the coasts of the Great Sea toward Lebanon—the Hittite, the Amorite, the Canaanite, the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite-heard about it, 2 that they gathered to fight with Joshua and Israel with one accord. 3 However, when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua did to Jericho and Ai, 4 they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors. They took old sacks on their donkeys, old wineskins torn and mended, 5 old and patched sandals on their feet, and old garments on themselves; and the bread of their provision was dry and moldy. 6 They went to Joshua, to the camp at Gilgal, and said to him and to the men of Israel, “We have come from a far country; now therefore, make a covenant with us.” 7 Then the men of Israel said to the Hivites, “Perhaps you dwell among us; so how can we make a covenant with you?” 8 However, they said to Joshua, “We are your servants.” Joshua said to them, “Who are you, and where do you come from?” 9 They said to him, “From a far country your servants have come, because of the name of JEHOVAH your Elohiym; for we heard of His fame, and all He did in Egypt, 10 and everything He did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan—to Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth. 11 Therefore, our elders and the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, ‘Take provisions with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them, “We are your servants; now therefore, make a covenant with us.’' 12 "This bread of ours we took hot for our provision from our houses on the day we departed to come to you. But now look, it is dry and moldy. 13 "And these wineskins which we filled were new, and see, they are torn; and these our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.’” 14 Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of JEHOVAH. 15 Then Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them. 16 It happened at the end of three days, after they had made a covenant with them, that they heard they were their neighbors who dwelt near them. 17 Then the children of Israel journeyed and came to their cities on the third day. Now their cities were Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth, and Kirjath Jearim. 18 However, the children of Israel did not attack them, because the rulers of the congregation had sworn to them by JEHOVAH Elohiym of Israel. The congregation complained against the rulers. 19 Then the rulers said to all the congregation, “We have sworn to them by JEHOVAH Elohiym of Israel; now therefore, we may not touch them. 20 This we will do to them: We will let them live, lest wrath be upon us because of the oath which we swore to them.” 21 The rulers said to them, “Let them live, but let them be woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation, as the rulers had promised them.” 22 Then Joshua called for them, and he spoke to them, saying, “Why have you deceived us, saying, ‘We are far from you,’ when you dwell near us? 23 Now, therefore, you are cursed, and none of you will be freed from being slaves—woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.” 24 They answered Joshua and said, “Because your servants were told that JEHOVAH your Elohiym commanded His servant Moses to give you the entire land, and to destroy the inhabitants of the land from before you; therefore, we were afraid for our lives because of you, and have done this thing. 25 Now, here we are, in your hands; do with us as it seems good and right to do to us.” 26 He did to them and delivered them out of the hand of the children of Israel, so that they did not kill them. 27 That day Joshua made them woodcutters and water carriers for the congregation and for the altar of JEHOVAH, in the place which He would choose, even to this day. God’s name: JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal Elohiym – Supreme God Theos – Supreme Divinity Iesous – Jesus Christos – Anointed One, Messiah Hagios Pneuma – Sacred, Holy, Breath, Spirit God’s character: Mercy People trick others to do their will everywhere you go and in every occupation you where you work. They manipulate you until you comply with everything, they tell you to do. The people of Gibeon set out to deceive Israel into believing they were from a far country. Joshua did not seek JEHOVAH about what to do with the people of Gibeah. He believed their story because of the evidence they brought him: moldy food, old clothes and shoes, and cracked wineskins. Only after they made an agreement with them, did he and Israel learn they lived close by and deceived them. Then they made the people of Gibeon servants for Israel. Satan is crafty. He will do whatever it takes to turn your eyes from Elohiym, and trust your senses with what you see, hear, touch, smell, and taste. If he can convince you he is on the level, then he will win his little battle with you because you won’t seek Elohiym in whatever you agree to do. If you learn one thing as a child of Elohiym, it’s this: always seek Elohiym in everything. Make every decision a matter of prayer. Even the simple decisions, because it’s in the simple decisions where Satan will work his wiles against you. If it looks too good to be true, it is. The person you encounter wants to deceive you to do what he wants, not what is good and beneficial for you. Always, always make every decision a matter of prayer. Don’t let Satan deceive you. He will try, but if you are on your knees, he can do nothing, so that even the smallest battles become victories for you and defeat for him. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of Theos in Christos Iesous for you. 19 Do not quench the Pneuma. 20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test everything; hold fast to what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil. You have the Hagios Pneuma living in you, guiding you, teaching you everything you need to know. Let His discernment put you on your knees, seeking His will for you in every situation. Then Satan cannot put a stronghold in your life. Let’s pray: Father, let Your Holy Spirit guide my life. Give me discernment so I will know when Satan comes to deceive me to do his will, not Yours. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 14 August 2024 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.