“And the men took of their victuals and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD” (Joshua 9:14).
Joshua and the people thought there was no harm in making a league with the humble and fearful Gibeonites. So without consulting God, in their desire to show kindness and sympathy to the pleading people, they made a covenant with the Gibeonites not to destroy them. Just as Joshua and the children of Israel failed to enquire from God and know His will concerning the Gibeonites, very often we also fail to seek guidance from God. It is the privilege of God’s children to be led by the Lord. He has promised, “I will guide thee with mine eye” (psalm 32:8).
This is a solemn warning to us all. Before making any decision, before doing anything whatever, whether it is a family matter or a marriage or a job, let us take care to come to the Lord for guidance, lest we should suffer loss and shame. Some might wonder whether they should go to the Lord for small things also. Remember, this doubtful thought is exactly the same as what Joshua thought concerning the Gibeonites. As God’s people, let us take warning not to be governed by our relations, our own community, our friends, or neighbours or anybody else. Be governed only by God’s Word and the Holy Spirit and the voice of God. Now it may take a day, or a week, or five years, or ten years, or even more, to find God’s will. However that might be, wait patiently till it pleases Him to speak to you. Pray again and again morning, noon and night, day after day. Otherwise, you and your children will suffer loss. This loss may be in many ways. First of all, you will become blind spiritually. You will not be able to hear the voice of God, because of dullness in spiritual hearing. The enemy will go on gaining more and more ground in your life.
The Lord wants to give a heavenly inheritance and make you higher than all the nations of the world. He wants to give you all that He has, His kingdom and His authority. That is why sometimes He makes you wait. If you want to receive all things from God, you must learn not to leave a hoof behind for the enemy. In everything, you must be governed by God. It is a sad thing how in spite of repeated warnings from the Lord many parents have been deceived and have committed mistakes concerning their children’s future. Sometimes they have feared their daughters are getting old and no one will marry them. So they have hastily got them married even to unbelievers without asking counsel from God. They argue that after marriage, the daughters can convert their husbands. With great sorrow, we have to warn you that if you do this, you and your family and that very same daughter, will suffer for many years and bring you much misery.