Read Joshua 16-17
Joshua 16 and 17 describe to allocation of
land to the tribes in Joseph’s lineage – Ephraim and Manasseh. Chapter 16
details the land to be inhabited by Ephraim. Chapter 17 focuses on Manasseh. Half
of the tribe of Manasseh had already settled east of the Jordan. The second
half of the tribe is not forgotten. They receive a portion in the Promised Land
alongside their Israelite brothers. Both Ephraim and Manasseh receive land,
even though they come from the same son of Jacob. This ensures twelve
allotments of land despite the Levites not receiving land. Before Jacob died he
gave Joseph a generous blessing (Genesis 49:22-26). Here we see the blessing
fulfilled as his family is given the honour of receiving two portions of land.
Another specific blessing is fulfilled in the allotment to Joseph’s sons. Moses
had promised land to the daughters of Zelophad (Numbers 27:1-11). Here Joshua
faithfully gives the daughters of Zelophad their due (17:3-4). God has always
loved both women and men!
Chapter 17 closes with a petition from the
sons of Joseph. They believe they have not received enough land. Their
population is far too numerous for their allotment. Joshua’s character is
exemplified here again. Rather than disregarding the sons of Joseph, Joshua
offers a solution. They can go to the hill country and clear more land for
themselves. The sons of Joseph are resistant at first. The hill country is home
to powerful Canaanites. Instead of rebuking Ephraim and Manasseh for their
fear, Joshua simply states that his verdict is final. If they want more land,
they will need to take courage and fight the Canaanites. Surely, with God’s
help, they will prove victorious (17:18).
Prayer
and Journaling
1. Several times in these chapters we are
reminded that the Canaanites still lived in the land (16:10; 17:12-13, 15-18). The
Israelites’ work was not complete. They could not yet rest. Ask God to show you
any areas where you have become too comfortable and stopped working for His
kingdom. Confess this and ask for His forgiveness.
2. Ask God for a step you can take today to
spread His kingdom. Commit to following his direction.
3. Pray for Israel today. Israel is not
merely a historical people group we read about in the Bible. They are a people
and nation today! Scripture clearly states that whoever blesses Israel will be
blessed and whoever curses Israel will be cursed. Pray for the Israeli
government, pray for protection as a country and pray that many Jews would come
to know Jesus as Yahweh.
