Joshua 17
Today's Passage: Joshua 17
Today we continue reading about the allotments of the Promised Land for the people. Honing in on the tribe of Manasseh (the son of Joseph) we see a contrast of two responses to the land that God gives this tribe.
The first response that we see is that of the daughters of Zelophehad. Joshua 17 reveals the fulfillment of the promise that God made to them through Moses in Numbers 27.
Before the Israelites were anywhere close to entering the Promised Land, these women approached Moses. They fully believed that God would bring them into the Promised Land. They had faith that God would be faithful. Traditionally land would only be given to men, but, since their father had died in the wilderness, they wanted to know what their place would be in the Promised Land.
They made their request to Moses in faith and humility and Moses brought their request before the Lord. The Lord shows his care for these women by making a place for them. God revealed that for anyone who came to Him in faith and humility, there would be a place in the Promised Land.
As we continue in Joshua 17, we see that the tribe of Manasseh’s second response to the allotment that God gives them: disobedience and greed.
The Canannites in this land were determined to stay, but the Israelites were not as determined to rid the land of the Canannites. God commanded the Israelites to drive out the Canannites and He had promised to give them the strength to do so, but instead they settled. In settling they chose to use the Canaanites for their own convenience, and eventually this disobedience would lead them away from God and into idolatry.
Ultimately, the people of Joseph were unhappy with the land that they had been given. They complained to Joshua, but ultimately their frustration was toward God who had sovereignly chosen this land for them.
Manasseh and Ephraim were the largest tribes, but they were motivated by greed in their request. Joshua heard their complaints and requests, but he did not bend or change the land that they had been given. Instead, he revealed to them that their responsibility was to take the land that God had given them and to make it a place that they could call home.
The tribes wanted pursuing God’s promise to be easy, but it would require the hard work of clearing trees and driving out the Canannites.
In reflecting on the responses of this tribe, I am humbled thinking about my own response to God’s promises. God promises that all who come before Him in faith will receive a place in His Promised Land. Now, we know the Promised Land to be spending eternity with God which is offered to us through Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf.
However, until the Lord calls us to himself, we have a responsibility on this earth to use the time, resources, and relationships that we have to glorify Him. Living for God daily takes diligence, but if you are in Christ, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of you and will spur you on toward Him.
Written By: Paulette Black
Today we continue reading about the allotments of the Promised Land for the people. Honing in on the tribe of Manasseh (the son of Joseph) we see a contrast of two responses to the land that God gives this tribe.
The first response that we see is that of the daughters of Zelophehad. Joshua 17 reveals the fulfillment of the promise that God made to them through Moses in Numbers 27.
Before the Israelites were anywhere close to entering the Promised Land, these women approached Moses. They fully believed that God would bring them into the Promised Land. They had faith that God would be faithful. Traditionally land would only be given to men, but, since their father had died in the wilderness, they wanted to know what their place would be in the Promised Land.
They made their request to Moses in faith and humility and Moses brought their request before the Lord. The Lord shows his care for these women by making a place for them. God revealed that for anyone who came to Him in faith and humility, there would be a place in the Promised Land.
As we continue in Joshua 17, we see that the tribe of Manasseh’s second response to the allotment that God gives them: disobedience and greed.
The Canannites in this land were determined to stay, but the Israelites were not as determined to rid the land of the Canannites. God commanded the Israelites to drive out the Canannites and He had promised to give them the strength to do so, but instead they settled. In settling they chose to use the Canaanites for their own convenience, and eventually this disobedience would lead them away from God and into idolatry.
Ultimately, the people of Joseph were unhappy with the land that they had been given. They complained to Joshua, but ultimately their frustration was toward God who had sovereignly chosen this land for them.
Manasseh and Ephraim were the largest tribes, but they were motivated by greed in their request. Joshua heard their complaints and requests, but he did not bend or change the land that they had been given. Instead, he revealed to them that their responsibility was to take the land that God had given them and to make it a place that they could call home.
The tribes wanted pursuing God’s promise to be easy, but it would require the hard work of clearing trees and driving out the Canannites.
In reflecting on the responses of this tribe, I am humbled thinking about my own response to God’s promises. God promises that all who come before Him in faith will receive a place in His Promised Land. Now, we know the Promised Land to be spending eternity with God which is offered to us through Christ’s sacrifice on our behalf.
However, until the Lord calls us to himself, we have a responsibility on this earth to use the time, resources, and relationships that we have to glorify Him. Living for God daily takes diligence, but if you are in Christ, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives inside of you and will spur you on toward Him.
Written By: Paulette Black
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