The Bible is teeming with heroic accounts of faith—Noah, Abraham, Moses, David and many, many more. However, a closer examination of their lives reveals that while they are heralded for their exceptional devotion to God, they made some significant missteps. Noah “walked with God” but got drunk. Abraham was “a friend of God” yet told his wife to lie to others about their relationship (twice). God spoke to Moses “face to face, as a man speaks to his friend” but his anger kept him out of the promised land. David, “a man after God’s own heart,” well, you know about that one—adultery and murder (gulp!).
But what about Joshua? He is one of the most heroic characters in the Bible (in faith and action). He courageously spied out Canaan and then, with unwavering faith and despite being in the minority, gave a good report that Israel could take the land. He served faithfully as a commanding officer in the field and as an aide to Moses. He took charge of Israel after Moses died and brought the ark through the Red Sea. He executed God’s plan of securing the promised land for Israel, starting with the great walled city of Jericho. He consistently applied the law to the nation so that after his death it was written, “Israel served the Lord all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders who outlived Joshua and had known all the work that the Lord did for Israel” (Josh. 24:31). Wow! What a life.
But there is another episode of Joshua’s life that’s worthy of examination. In chapter nine is the account of two representatives of Gibeon that deceived Joshua into promising that he would not destroy their nation. The Bible says that the men “acted with cunning” when they showed up with “worn-out sacks for their donkeys, and wineskins, worn-out and torn and mended, with worn-out, patched sandals on their feet, and worn-out clothes. And all their provisions were dry and crumbly” (Josh. 9:4-5). Joshua and his men felt the brittle bread and bought their story—hook, line and sinker.
After the examination of the expired food and before Joshua’s decision to make a covenant with the scheming men is some incriminating biblical commentary. Joshua 9:14-15:
So the men took some of their provisions, but did not ask counsel from the LORD. And Joshua made peace with them and made a covenant with them, to let them live, and the leaders of the congregation swore to them.
In a circumstance that called for wisdom, Joshua and his men failed to seek God. They made an assessment and believed they knew best. Does that describe you? What is your threshold for asking for God’s wisdom? Does the decision have to be a big one or have scary consequences for you to seek His will? I am not suggesting you need to pause for prayer before choosing an ice cream flavor, but is seeking the wisdom of God an instinctive part of your daily life? Proverbs 3:5-8 reads:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
This is to say that you should put less trust in your own judgment by deferring, without hesitation, to God. Humbly acknowledge that God sees the way forward, that He knows the desires of your heart, that He is wiser than you and capable of untangling every one of life’s knots. Don’t take the attitude that says, “It’s okay God. I’ve got this one.” Instead, pray without ceasing (1 Thes. 5:17) and ask God for wisdom. He gives generously to all without reproach when the request is made in faith (Jas. 1:5-6). Set out to make wisdom-seeking an ingrained response to every puzzle, challenge or frustration that life throws at you. May it not be said of us that we did not ask counsel from the Lord.