Day 198: Joshua 16-17 - Allotment for the Joseph Tribes

READ: Joshua 16-17

BACKGROUND:
In these two chapters Ephraim and Manasseh, the two sons of Joseph, receive their allotments of land. The leaders didn't think their allotments were enough, so they asked Joshua for more land. Joshua told them they could clear some of the forest and thereby gain more land for themselves. But they didn't think they could overcome the people who lived there. As you can see in the map below, Manasseh's portion is very large compared to that of most of the other tribes. And Ephraim's portion is rather large as well. By this time, Manasseh has fulfilled the prediction of Jacob that the younger brother would be greater than the older. (Gen. 48:19)



REFLECTION:

Neither Ephraim nor Manasseh drove out the Canaanites like they were supposed to. Sound familiar?

But they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites live
in the midst of Ephraim to this day, and they became forced laborers. (Joshua 16:10)

But the sons of Manasseh could not take possession of these cities, because the Canaanites persisted in living in that land. And it came about when the sons of Israel became strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but they did not drive them out completely. (Joshua 17:12-13)

They didn't seem to believe that God would drive the Canaanites out. They were relying on their own strength and strategy and found themselves overpowered and outwitted by their enemies without even trying.

They also were not content with the portion God had decreed for them. They complained it wasn't enough land and asked for more. But they weren't willing to work for it; they just wanted Joshua to hand it over to them.

APPLICATION:

Let's take some time today to thank God for the many blessings we have received from Him. We often come to Him with our requests, and He wants us to do that. But are we also taking the time to thank Him for what he has already provided for us?

Are there any "enemies" in your life that you are harboring? Is there sin that you like to keep around rather than going to all the effort it takes to get rid of it? It can be hard work to weed out those sinful habits, and we often give up before we even try.

PRAYER:
Father, thank you for the inheritance you have given us as your children. You have adopted us through Jesus. You give us your grace and mercy every day. You give us wisdom. You give us every spiritual blessing. You chose us before the foundation of the world to make us holy and blameless. Drive out the sins that we get caught up in so easily so we can live holy lives, pleasing to you. Help us to do the work it takes to fight the enemies that keep us from obeying you completely. Because of Jesus, Amen.