Joshua 16
Today's Passage: Joshua 16
If you’re like me, I used to always get confused about the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Here’s why: the sons of Jacob (Israel) are: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. But these are not the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The Twelve Tribes of Israel are the same except Joseph and Levi are replaced by Ephraim and Manasseh. So what happened?
For Levi, they have the honor to become the priests, so they are to dwell throughout all the tribes. So where do Ephraim and Manasseh come from?
They are the sons of Joseph (see v. 4). What happened is that Reuben lost his birthright because of a terrible sin and so Joseph received a double portion of inheritance (1 Chronicles 5:1). Then, in Genesis 48:5 Israel tells Joseph: And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. Then in Genesis 48:11 Israel says to Joseph: I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.
Israel was so happy to be with Joseph but was overwhelmed by God’s grace that he got to meet Joseph’s offspring.
All this to say, Joshua 16 is a reminder of God’s sovereign and faithful plan. Ephraim technically wasn’t to receive the inheritance they got. Much like how we don’t deserve the inheritance promised to us through Jesus.
Written By: Brice Stockton
If you’re like me, I used to always get confused about the Twelve Tribes of Israel. Here’s why: the sons of Jacob (Israel) are: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Joseph, and Benjamin. But these are not the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The Twelve Tribes of Israel are the same except Joseph and Levi are replaced by Ephraim and Manasseh. So what happened?
For Levi, they have the honor to become the priests, so they are to dwell throughout all the tribes. So where do Ephraim and Manasseh come from?
They are the sons of Joseph (see v. 4). What happened is that Reuben lost his birthright because of a terrible sin and so Joseph received a double portion of inheritance (1 Chronicles 5:1). Then, in Genesis 48:5 Israel tells Joseph: And now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you in Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh shall be mine, as Reuben and Simeon are. Then in Genesis 48:11 Israel says to Joseph: I never expected to see your face; and behold, God has let me see your offspring also.
Israel was so happy to be with Joseph but was overwhelmed by God’s grace that he got to meet Joseph’s offspring.
All this to say, Joshua 16 is a reminder of God’s sovereign and faithful plan. Ephraim technically wasn’t to receive the inheritance they got. Much like how we don’t deserve the inheritance promised to us through Jesus.
Written By: Brice Stockton
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