Circumstantial Evidence

Posted on April 29, 2016 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD.  So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them. Joshua 9:14-15

How often do we fall prey to making decisions based on circumstantial evidence in our lives?  We hear often God opens and closes doors and I don’t question that but I wonder how often we check to determine WHO opened or closed the door before we decide to walk through it or to stop.

Joshua and the Israelites were fresh off a miraculous victory against Jericho and Ai “when the inhabitants of Gibeon heard what Joshua had done to Jericho and Ai, they worked craftily, and went and pretended to be ambassadors.” Joshua 9:3

When the enemy seeks to throw us off track he works craftily and pretends that the way he is showing us is the right way and he often does it with circumstantial evidence.

And Joshua said to them, “Who are you, and where do you come from?”
So they said to him: “From a very far country your servants have come, because of the name of the LORD your God; for we have heard of His fame, and all that He did in Egypt, and all that He did to the two kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan—to Sihon king of Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who was at Ashtaroth.  Therefore our elders and all the inhabitants of our country spoke to us, saying, ‘Take provisions with you for the journey, and go to meet them, and say to them, “We are your servants; now therefore, make a covenant with us.”’ This bread of ours we took hot for our provision from our houses on the day we departed to come to you. But now look, it is dry and moldy. And these wineskins which we filled were new, and see, they are torn; and these our garments and our sandals have become old because of the very long journey.” Joshua 9:8-13

All the evidence they presented made it appear as if they spoke the truth but that was the point. They intended to mislead Joshua to lure him into a misguided covenant.  That’s the problem with circumstantial evidence – it may be false and misleading.

Then the men of Israel took some of their provisions; but they did not ask counsel of the LORD.  So Joshua made peace with them, and made a covenant with them to let them live; and the rulers of the congregation swore to them. Joshua 9:14-15

Joshua’s mistake was to fail to seek the counsel of the Lord.  Flying high from the victories at Jericho and Ai, he failed to bow low to humbly seek the Lord’s counsel.  We have all been there. We have failed to seek God’s counsel.  I think we tend to go to God for the big stuff but surely, since we don’t know what each day will bring, we would be wise to seek His face every morning for His guidance and direction so we don’t fall prey to being led astray through circumstantial evidence.

“Show me your ways, LORD,
    teach me your paths.
Guide me in your truth and teach me,
    for you are God my Savior,
    and my hope is in you all day long.” Psalm 25:4-5

Did you seek God’s counsel today?

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt served for 16 years on the staff of America’s Keswick until recently when she and her husband relocated to North Carolina. She now continues serving as a contributing writer and Partner Care consultant. Diane is also a Biblical Counselor, speaker, teacher, and author. She delights in the opportunities she has as a women’s conference and retreat speaker to share from God’s word.  Many of her illustrations are drawn from her relational experiences as a wife, mother, and mema. They are the very relationships that bring her the greatest joy and the most fun!