Click to read Joshua 16-17
(The previous 9 chapters can be accessed through the links on the side bar. To access chapters before those listed, go to the All Chapters section.)
Synopsis
Chapters 16 and 17 recorded the land allocation for Joseph’s descendants, Manasseh and Ephraim. They had the largest portion of the land allotted. As Joseph was Jacob’s eldest son by Rachel, he received a double portion of inheritance. Thus, he did not have a tribe named after himself, but that of his two sons. The largest territory and with the greatest influence in northern Israel belonged to these two tribes.
Major verses
Chapter 17:3-4 – Zelophehad son of Hepher was the great-great grandson of Joseph. He had no sons but 5 daughters. Traditionally, only men were allotted lands. By allotting the 5 daughters of Zelophehand land, Moses broke tradition as he put justice ahead. God told Moses to add a law then. That law would help other women under similar circumstances and be justly taken care of.
What I learnt
It is easy to refuse an honorable request by citing tradition or current practice or even saying “this has never been done before”. But it is best to consider the purpose of each law and the merits before deciding. We can look to Moses and Joshua as examples of putting justice ahead of tradition and do the right things instead of doing the things “right”.
Chapter 17:14-15 – The Manassites, though given much land, did not bother to drive out the Canaanites living in their land. They did not obey God’s command in this area (V12). Yet they complaint to Joshua and asked for more land. Joshua correctly passed the problem back to them and asked them to claim the land that was occupied by the Canaanites. Unlike Caleb, the Manassites had a contrasting attitude. While Caleb claimed and acted, the Manassites simply complained. Caleb was full of confidence that God would help him drive the wicked enemies out of his land. On the other hand, the Manassites let the enemies stay and simply asked for more.
What I learnt
When God gives us a promise, we must act to claim it. He will always do the big battle for us and we need only to act in faith. We must demonstrate our faith in His faithfulness by believing it in the first place.
Summary
We must stand in faith to do the right things and also act to claim the promises that our Heavenly Father has laid out for us. Instead of complaining, let’s act in faith to believe all that He has promised us.
Up next…..
At this juncture, only 4 tribes had received their land. The division of land continues in the next two chapters. Coming up on 19 Mar...
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