Examining the Bread
So the Israelite leaders examined their bread, but they did not consult the Lord.” (Josh 9:14 NLT)
(Please read Joshua 9.)
This is an ancient story with an extant and universal truth. It will help our understanding to start with the larger context and refine our way to the salient points which give significance for our lives today.
In this account, Joshua is continuing the ministry of Moses by leading the children of Israel into the Promised Land. In carrying out the Lord’s commandments through Moses, he was to conquer the land by completely destroying all the people of the land along with all the cities. There was to be no mercy given, no treaties made, and only those spoils taken as approved by God.
Some of this may offend finer sensibilities, however, we must remember God was eradicating gross idolatry from the land as well as conveying universal truths through types and shadows. There is a deeper more spiritual meaning in this Word. Generally, the idolatrous people represent anything, or any potential thing, in our lives which could become a snare by displacing the Lord’s presence in our hearts.
One of the first things we might notice in reading this passage is the very intentional deception perpetrated by the Gibeonites. They lived three days journey from the Israelite army, but they knew they were slated for annihilation. So they set up an elaborate ruse to avoid the horrific and terminal consequences they knew were forthcoming. They sent out their messengers with stale, moldy bread, worn out wine skins, old dirty clothes, and broken down sandals to make it look like they had traveled a great distance. This should be a huge red flag for all serious followers of Jesus. The character of things that supplant the existence of Christ in our lives is subtle, devious, and deceptive in nature and will always ultimately rob us of the inheritance he has purposed to share with us.
One of the common misconceptions we hold is that of not being deceived. We just tend to believe no one can or will “pull the wool over our eyes.” I think in general we hate being lied to. However, this is not only the weapon of choice of our arch enemy, it is also a weapon of mass destruction. Satan was a liar from the beginning. It’s his natural language. In Revelation he is called the deceiver of the whole world. The Devil employed this tactic with Eve and we see it continuing, although failing, with Jesus in the wilderness temptations. If we think we’re immune to deception, we’re already deceived.
This story illustrates so graphically how seriously Jesus considers even the little, seemingly meaningless “alliances” in our lives. He may tolerate certain activities for a season, but there will come a time when they will have to be eradicated, annihilated from our lives. This becomes the Lord’s way of purging out everything that doesn’t look like Jesus. This is one reason why one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to maturation in Christ. In our relationship and pursuit of full stature life in Christ, we are all in a different place at any given time. Knowing this helps set us free from sitting in judgment on others.
Unfortunately, our approach in addressing these issues tends to be more about “examining the bread” than consulting the Lord. We tend to look at and evaluate things from an outward viewpoint. Additionally, we don’t see God being concerned and involved with what we might consider minutia. The truth is the Lord is eternally interested in every aspect of our lives where something has captured a place in our hearts that belongs to Jesus. John wrote, “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts.” If I am fascinated with, overly focused on, or totally absorbed with anything of a non-spiritual nature, there will come a time when the Lord excises that from my life. This will always be in his perfect timing as it is congruent with his purpose for me.
There are many things in this world which have the appearance of complete innocence, which seem totally apart from anything evil in nature. However, Satan has his finger on, his influence in, everything this world has to offer. For a wonderful understanding of this, please read Watchman Nee’s, Love Not the World. Unquestionably, Satan is the god of this world. Therefore every worldly system is going to be tainted to some degree by his evil influence. We have great difficulty seeing the reality of this with things we are involved with every day. Regardless, the Devil has his fingerprints on every system produced in this world, whether politics, education, sports, the arts, government, or even religion.
Remember, the bread you examine won’t always appear stale and moldy. Satan will present you with much that appears hot and fresh. Only in consulting the Lord will we be able to follow his plan for realizing the complete life in Christ.
May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to him.” (Heb. 13:21 NLT)
