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Joshua 9:14 – Praying through the Bible #66 – A Prayer that Didn’t Get Prayed
Benjamin Franklin wryly said, “In this world nothing can be said to be certain, except death and taxes.” In this world, I might add, nothing can be said to be more certain than a life without prayer, is a life without God preventing us from making stupid mistakes.
Can God answer prayers that are never said? The All-Knowing One can. Will God answer prayers that are never said? The All-Merciful One might. Joshua 9 warns that God does not always save us from ourselves when we think we know better or know enough, not to pray. When the Gibeonites heard what God’s people had done to Jericho and Ai, they acted wisely in the ways of the world by acting deceptively. Gathering worn-out sacks, old wineskins, patched sandals, threadbare clothing, and dry bread, they proceeded to Israel’s camp. Planting their false evidence, they misleadingly claim, “We have come from a distant land. Please make a treaty with us” (9.3-6). Such a treaty was divinely forbidden with Canaanites (9.24). Afterwards, the Israelites discovered the Gibeonites lived only three days away (9.17).
In the beginning, God’s people act wisely, even suspiciously. “Perhaps you live among us. How can we make a treaty with you?” (9.7). “Who are you and where do you come from?” (9.8). Examining the evidence, and getting satisfactory answers, a treaty is formed. But no one prayed. They “did not seek the LORD’s counsel” (9.14). God is not included. Everyone talks about Him, both the pagans and the believers (9.9-10). But no one is talking to God, and God is not talking to them. Because God is absent, bad decisions abound. Apparently talking about God is not as beneficial as talking to God.
First, Joshua and the leaders do not pray to God about the Gibeonites’ claim of being from a far away land (9.9). From all appearances, no one is acting arrogantly, just naively. It’s as if their brains are saying, “Don’t need God on this one, we’ve got it.” Everything looks kosher. Everything is not as it seems. Second, when Joshua and the leaders discover the deception, again no one prays. Instead they conclude, “We have sworn an oath to them by the LORD, the God of Israel, and now we cannot touch them” (9.19). Again, pride is not the driving force here, but rather sincerity. In trying to do the right thing, they abide by their oath. Was honoring a false treaty the right decision? We can argue and only form opinions, because no one asked God, and God doesn’t say.
I cannot imagine or fathom how many mistakes I haven’t made because I prayed. Neither do I know how many times I haven’t prayed but should have. One thing is certain. If Joshua would have prayed, he would not have made this blunder. Hear this, and be wise. Even with seemingly all the available facts and personal integrity, we still are not wise enough to make the right decision without prayer.
Prayer Challenge: Think of times we prayed and didn’t pray; consider the results. Ask ourselves why we did or didn’t pray. Make a decision to pray even about the little things.
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