NO BIBLE NO BREAKFAST DAILY BIBLE REFLECTIONS AND MORE

REFLECTION

“A Cunning Plan” is the theme for our reflection. To be cunning means to achieve one’s ends by deceit or evasion. A cunning plan is a scheme designed to deceive and take advantage of others. We shall reflect on the fact that we must turn to God for direction and discernment to overcome the cunning plan of our enemies or those who seek to take advantage of us.

Beloved in the Lord, some people use any means possible to advance their course or interest through trickery or cunning plans, therefore, we must always turn to God for direction and discernment to overcome the cunning plans of those who seek to take advantage of us to advance their interests. Gibeon, one of the towns in the newly occupied territory of the promised land given to Israel by God, had a cunning plan to save its people from being destroyed by the Israelites. “However, when the people of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, 4 they resorted to a ruse (cunning plan): They went as a delegation whose donkeys were loaded with worn-out sacks and old wineskins, cracked and mended. 5 They put worn and patched sandals on their feet and wore old clothes. All the bread of their food supply was dry and mouldy. 6 Then they went to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal and said to him and the Israelites, “We have come from a distant country; make a treaty with us.” (Joshua 9:3-6). In other words, the Gibeonites feared for their life therefore, they cunningly approached the Israelites and deceived them into making an oath not to destroy them.

Later, we are told that “The Israelites sampled their provisions but did not inquire of the LORD. 15 Then Joshua made a treaty of peace with them to let them live, and the leaders of the assembly ratified it by oath. 16 Three days after they made the treaty with the Gibeonites, the Israelites heard that they were neighbours, living near them…The whole assembly grumbled against the leaders, 19 but all the leaders answered, “We have given them our oath by the LORD, the God of Israel, and we cannot touch them now. 20 This is what we will do to them: We will let them live, so that God’s wrath will not fall on us for breaking the oath we swore to them.” (Joshua 9:14-16, 18-20) The leaders of Israel failed to seek God’s direction and discernment before and after engaging their enemies. They made a treaty with their enemies contrary to the will of God. Leaders must learn to pray about decisions and reflect on God’s Word and will before making decisions that bind their congregation, society and nation. Then Joshua summoned the Gibeonites and said, “Why did you deceive us by saying, ‘We live a long way from you,’ while actually you live near us? 23 You are now under a curse: You will never be released from service as woodcutters and water carriers for the house of my God.”   24 They answered 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. 25 We are now in your hands. Do to us whatever seems good and right to you.” (Joshua 9:22-25). Although the Gibeonites would become bonded labourers in the camp of the Israelites, the harm had already been done, the leaders of Israel fell to the cunning plan of the Gibeonites and disobeyed God. Beloved in the Lord, let us always confer with the Word of God and pray for His direction before taking a decision, especially advice from people concerning decisions that may affect other people’s lives. The decision to make a treaty with the Gibionites was made by the leaders of Israel, but the impact was felt by the whole assembly of the Israelites. As leaders in whatever domain, let us be spiritually and intellectually proactive when we are faced with issues. When Adam and Eve were deceived or tempted by Satan, they fell for it, but when it was Jesus’ turn, He responded, “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4-11). Jesus relied on the written Word of God for direction. Again, let us learn to say with Jesus when we face the temptation of deception, “not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42)

In summary, we have discovered that we must turn to God for direction and discernment to overcome the cunning plans of our enemies or those who seek to take advantage of us.

PRAYER

May the Holy Spirit grant us discernment to make decisions according to God’s will. Amen.