"The Lack of the Wisdom of God"

Amongst the confusion of my circumstances (my health? upcoming months?) my head was stuck between a rock and a hard place.What next? Firstly, my long last youth pastor who I miss, had great post (Proverbs Part 1 on wisdom, when you have time click here). Secondly, I been reading a good commentary on the book of Joshua by Dale Ralph Davis. On Joshua 9:3-15 , he echoes the need for God's wisdom, entitled "The Lack of the Wisdom of God."

The Israelites had all signs in front of their eyes (v4-5, 12-13), believing the testimony v9-11. The problem was not so much they asked the right questions but they made the decision on their own, Davis points outs v14, "they did not inquire of the Lord." What they should have done was inquire to the Lord through Eleazer the priest according to the law (Numbers 27:31), "He is to stand before Eleazar the priest, who will obtain decisions for him by inquiring of the Urim before the LORD. At his command he and the entire community of the Israelites will go out, and at his command they will come in."

Davis adds this warning , "Joshua 9 warns God's people against such cocky independence. In the context of our various trials we need wisdom to know how to function in those trials and circumstance...available from a giving God, and we are to ask for (James 1:5)."

After reading these comments, suddenly upcoming events do not appear to be complicated. Israel learned the hard way, they made the oath alone and had to bear the consequences (Joshua 9:18-21). In the times of doubt I need to seek His wisdom to deal with my health, upcoming studies and other things. I must walk with Him. At the time my judgments appeared to be right but just like Israel somehow, the problem with "common sense" just never occurred to me!

-Lloyd