In Joshua in the holy Scriptures it tells us how after Moses – Joshua would be the one to take the Hebrews into the promised land. In chapter 5 it tells us of the second generation that would be circumcised. Those that were in the Exodus were circumcised, but the next generation that were born in the wilderness were not. In Genesis chapter 17 it tells us of a covenant made between God and Abraham. The sign of the covenant would be circumcision. It was time for that covenant to return to God's people.
In Joshua chapter 9 unfortunately we see a covenant made between the Gibeonites who deceived Joshua into a treaty. Joshua did not ask counsel of the Lord and would be tricked.
God takes covenant very seriously. Covenant is a binding agreement between at least two people, nations, or countries. We see in Scripture David and Jonathan made a covenant to each other. They exchanged robes, weapons and belts in 1 Samuel 18:3 – 4. This would represent them becoming one. Covenant says that my enemies are now your enemies, my strength is your strength, and what I own you own. Each one making the covenant would need to agree on this. If we understood how serious it is when we make covenants, promises, or commitments to the Lord, or others, we would surely stand by our word. To make a covenant was to say if I break my part of the covenant let it be to me as it is to this animal of sacrifice. Covenant throughout much of history was done by the shedding of blood.
What I love about the story of Joshua, was he knew he had to stand by his covenant and the Lord honored him in that covenant even though he failed to seek His counsel. In Joshua's mistake he showed integrity and God honored that. In Joshua chapter 10 as he was fighting a battle for the very people that deceived him into making a covenant with them the Lord said, "Do not fear them, for I have delivered them into your hand." The Lord was talking about the enemies coming against the Gibeonites. Joshua would command the sun to stand still so he could finish the battle. It says the Lord heeded the voice of a man; for the Lord fought for Israel. The sun stood still and the moon stopped. So the Lord defended Joshua's covenant.
I ask you to pray today and ask the Lord if you have broke covenant. You see Jesus died upon a cross and shed His blood so we could make covenant with HIm. The New Testament is really The New Covenant! We become one with Christ. What is His, is now ours, and the little we have is to be HIs. We have a part in covenant; our love; our loyalty; our commitment. We are to be a people of integrity. Let your yes be yes and your no be no, even if it cost you something.
I truly believe in this day if we will stand in integrity and keep our part of covenant, even in our mistakes He will honor us and our word.
Go and be a blessing today!!