Day 104

Joshua 9:3–10:43; Luke 16:19–17:10; Psalm 83:1-18; Proverbs 13:4

DRAMA AND VICTORY took place in the Promised Land today as a deception eventually catapulted into war. The reality of Israel’s presence in the land sapped any arrogance God’s enemies might have had. They were terrified of Israel. One of the people groups —the Gibeonites —decided to be proactive. Although they had a large city full of warriors, they understood God’s reputation and knew they were sure to be conquered in battle. They decided it would be better to serve the Hebrew people than to be dead. They sent ambassadors into the camp of Israel and lied that they had traveled from a faraway land in pursuit of a peace treaty —and their request was granted. Once Joshua realized they were neighbors and not people from a distant land, he couldn’t break the treaty.

The defeat of Jericho and Ai, combined with the peace treaty with Gibeon, served to unhinge the balance of power in the region. The kings of Jerusalem, Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Eglon allied themselves to attack Gibeon in retribution for their peace treaty with Israel. Joshua was forced to enter the battle on behalf of Gibeon because of the same treaty. A surprise attack routed the five southern kings, and quickly, Israel gained a large swath of the Promised Land to settle into.

Today’s proverb provides a reminder all of us need to hear from time to time. It is easy to fall prey to lazy daydreaming, spending our time hoping and wishing for what we don’t have. Those daydreams may be within reach, but they’re not going to happen magically. To prosper at anything —including our spiritual life and relationship with God —we must be willing to work hard.

MEDITATION:

Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper.