Joshua 9:14

French (La Sainte Bible par Louis Segond 1910)

Les hommes d'Israël prirent de leurs provisions, et ils ne consultèrent point l'Eternel.

What Does This Mean?

In this verse, Joshua and the Israelites accept food from the Gibeonites without first consulting God. This shows a lack of reliance on divine guidance, which can lead to making poor decisions.

Explained for Children

Imagine if you were given candy by someone you didn't know, and you ate it without asking your parents if it was okay. That's kind of what happened here. Joshua and his friends took food from some strangers without asking God what to do first.

Historical Background

The Book of Joshua was likely written by Joshua himself or by someone close to his time, around 1400-1300 BC. The audience was the Israelites, who were about to enter and conquer the Promised Land. This incident took place during the early stages of their conquest.

Living It Out Today

Today, we might face a situation where we're tempted to make a quick decision without seeking guidance from God. For example, choosing to accept an offer from someone without praying about it could lead to unforeseen problems later.

Topics

• wisdom
• prayer
• advice
• reliance on God
• consequences
• decision-making

Related Verses

• Numbers 22:35
• Judges 20:18
• 1 Samuel 23:2
• 2 Chronicles 20:14
• Acts 16:6-7

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Joshua and the Israelites not ask God?

They might have been overconfident or too eager to make a quick decision, which is a common human weakness. Sometimes, we rush into things without seeking divine guidance.

What were the consequences of this decision?

The Israelites were tricked by the Gibeonites and had to honor their agreement, leading to unforeseen challenges in their conquest of Canaan.

How can we avoid making the same mistake?

We can avoid this mistake by always seeking God's guidance through prayer and seeking wisdom in His Word before making important decisions.

What does this story teach us about trust?

This story teaches us the importance of trusting God's wisdom rather than relying on our own judgment, which can sometimes lead us astray.