Filling in the blanks…

Ok. I admit it. I’m a slow-waker-upper. My husband used to say that when I first woke up I would bounce from wall to wall in search of caffeine. My sister, on the other hand, is wide awake and bushy-tailed the moment her feet hit the floor! I have improved over the years, thankfully… but I’m definitely NOT a morning person.

And so when my husband and I went for a walk a few mornings ago you now can understand why he was so perplexed when I pointed to a dead bird on the path. “Bird?” he said. “Does a bird have pincers?!?”

In my not-quite-alert state I had briefly glanced at what looked to me like a baby bird. I filled in the blanks, made an assumption, and announced, “Watch out! There’s a dead bird on the ground!”

I didn’t look closely to see what was actually on the ground.

I’m not alone in filling in the blanks, not looking closely at a situation, coming to erroneous conclusions. The Israelites fell into that trap several times.

Once they entered the Promised Land, the Israelites engaged in military campaigns to conquer the territory. Their mandate: annihilate the inhabitants and take over the land. Sounds brutal, and it was! Their first conquests instilled fear in the hearts of the people in the remaining territories. The inhabitants’ hearts melted and there was no longer any spirit in them because of the people of Israel (Joshua 5:1).

The city of Gibeon decided on a plan to trick the Israelites into making a treaty with them, a treaty that would obligate the Israelites to come to their aid if the Gibeonites were attacked. They came up with an elaborate deception to save themselves from what would be certain death once the Israelites invaded their city.

They went to the camp of the Israelites with worn-out sacks on their donkeys. All their provisions were dry and crumbly. Their wineskins were split open and mended. Their sandals were patched and they wore worn-out clothes. They said, “We have come from a distant country, so now make a covenant (treaty) with us.”

Joshua, the leader of the Israelites, was skeptical. He even wondered if these people lived among them. But the Gibeonites were very convincing.

From a very distant country your servants have come, because of the name of the Lord your God. For we have heard a report of Him, and all that He did in Egypt… and to the two kings of the Amorites… So our elders and the inhabitants of our country [sent us to you]… This bread was hot from the ovens when we left our homes. But now it is dry and moldy. These wineskins were new when we filled them, but now they are old and split open. And these garments and sandals are worn out from the very long journey.

Joshua 9: 9-13

The Israelites examined the Gibeonites’ food — did a quick look/see — but didn’t ask God if it was a good idea to enter into an agreement with these strangers. And so Joshua made a treaty with them.

Three days later the Israelites learned that these people actually lived nearby. And because of the treaty, the Israelites were now obligated to protect the Gibeonites from any attacks from enemy nations.

Filling in the blanks. Glancing at a situation, not looking at it closely. Failing to be discerning. Not seeking God and His wisdom.

Ouch! I realize I sometimes fall into the same trap. I hastily read a text or half-listen to a conversation… and fill in the blanks of what I think the other person was wanting to communicate. I look at worn-out sacks, wineskins, clothes — in other words, outer appearances — and fill in the blanks, jumping to conclusions about a person. I neglect to first ask God what HE wants me to do — filling in the blanks with my very limited knowledge and wisdom.

Live and learn, right?!? Hopefully! May we take to heart yet another lesson from the children of Israel and NOT fill in the blanks, but rather learn to be more discerning. And together, may we have joy in the journey of this thing called “Life!”

By the way… the “bird” was actually a crab!