Today we will reflect together a passage from the book of Joshua. Before you start to read, acknowledge God's presence and ask the Holy Spirit for enlightment.
3 On learning what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, the inhabitants of Gibeon
4 put into effect a device of their own. They chose provisions for a journey, making use of old sacks for their asses, and old wineskins, torn and mended.
5 They wore old, patched sandals and shabby garments; and all the bread they took was dry and crumbly.
6 Thus they journeyed to Joshua in the camp at Gilgal, where they said to him and to the men of Israel, "We have come from a distant land to propose that you make an alliance with us."
7 But the men of Israel replied to the Hivites, "You may be living in land that is ours. How, then, can we make an alliance with you?"
8 But they answered Joshua, "We are your servants." Then Joshua asked them, "Who are you? Where do you come from?"
9 They answered him, "Your servants have come from a far-off land, because of the fame of the LORD, your God. For we have heard reports of all that he did in Egypt
10 and all that he did to the two kings of the Amorites beyond the Jordan, Sihon, king of Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth.
11 So our elders and all the inhabitants of our country said to us, 'Take along provisions for the journey and go to meet them. Say to them: We are your servants; we propose that you make an alliance with us.'
12 This bread of ours was still warm when we brought it from home as provisions the day we left to come to you, but now it is dry and crumbled.
13 Here are our wineskins, which were new when we filled them, but now they are torn. Look at our garments and sandals, which are worn out from the very long journey."
14 Then the Israelite princes partook of their provisions, without seeking the advice of the LORD.
15 So Joshua made an alliance with them and entered into an agreement to spare them, which the princes of the community sealed with an oath.
16 Three days after the agreement was entered into, the Israelites learned that these people were from nearby, and would be living in Israel.
17 The third day on the road, the Israelites came to their cities of Gibeon, Chephirah, Beeroth and Kiriath-jearim,
18 but did not attack them, because the princes of the community had sworn to them by the LORD, the God of Israel. When the entire community grumbled against the princes[1]
Points of reflection
1. The human being has the necessity of making an alliance with God, through His representatives on Earth. Maybe at this point in your life your path has been distant from God, but now you feel His presence and the only way to come out of this situation in good standing is by means of an alliance.
Jesus Christ has made a new alliance with humanity and everyone of us must sign this deal in order to be saved. By this I mean that we must believe in Christ and publicly recognize Him as Lord and Savior, so that we may aspire to be included among the chosen. This is the meaning implied in the following verse found in the book of Saint Mark: Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.[2]
2. People that live distant from God lie on a daily basis and they are skillful at lying, for the children of this world are more prudent in dealing with their own generation than are the children of light.[3] These people have the following strategy: to offer immediate satisfaction in exchange for your acceptance of the deal.
When people such as these approach you with an offer, do not be naive and self-sufficient. It is better to ask for time to think the deal through. You must present your decision first to God and ask for His advice. To seek advice you have several resources: the Bible, your own conscience, prayer, spiritual direction and counsel from family members with moral integrity.
3. Strong leadership is found in people like the Pope. This strength comes from his closeness to God.
When a leader walks away from God he or she loses moral authority and leadership. The leader may maintain power and may be able to enforce his will, but people will not be inspired to follow him or her. People follow and obey leaders, but tyrants are only obeyed.
Let us ask our Holy Mother, herself an excellent christian leader, to teach us to believe in Christ, to ask for good advice and to become true leaders close to God's heart.
Thank you for reflecting with me this passage of Scripture. This is a place where you are appreciated. This is a place where you are loved in Christ. You are the purpose of my blog. May God bless you abundantly.
[1] Joshua, 9, 3 - 18
[2] Mark, 16, 16
[3] Luke, 16, 8
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