Joshua 17
-In some interesting history for the formation of the
national identity in Israel, Manasseh was allotted land on both sides of the
Jordan. The half-tribe to the east was settled by the descendants of Machir,
who was a man of war and the father of Gilead. The rest of the sons of
Manasseh, which included the sons of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher,
and Shemida, were the ones to settle to the west of the Jordan. A recount to
Moses’ rational rule from God for inheritance allotment to the daughters of
Zelophehad, a descendant of Manasseh through Machir and Gilead, was given thus
making the ten portions to Manasseh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan,
which was to the east of the Jordan (Joshua 17:1-6).
-Precise border descriptions are once again given for this
territory distributed to the sons of Joseph. Some areas of note are the city of
Beth-shean, the Jezreel Valley, and the plains of Megiddo more towards the
coast. These were areas of importance for travel routes historically between
Europe, Asia, and Africa. Megiddo is where the consummation battle of the
tribulation will take place (Revelation 16:16). We see again the inability to
go completely forward in conquest as the LORD had assigned. The Canaanites
persisted in living in that land of Manasseh, even though the Israelites put
them to forced labor after they became strong. The sons of Joseph asked for
more than one lot for their numerous people. Joshua responded with a challenge.
He issued that that they “go up to the forest and clear a place for yourselves
in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, since the hill country of
Ephraim is too narrow for you.” The sons of Joseph rebuttal showed fear, and
not faith. They were somewhat afraid of the iron chariots of the Canaanites who
lived in the valley, but Joshua wanted to see them conquer. He exhorted them that
they had great power because of God’s call, and they would indeed prosper in
victory with more land if they would only show courage (Joshua 17:7-18).
Apparently, they were never able to demonstrate this spirit as Judges 1:27
attests.
-*Application* Notice the difference between Caleb of Judah
and the sons of Joseph. Caleb took what God had given him and moved ahead in
His program (Joshua 14:12). His confidence in faith was rewarded and his people
more fully occupied their inheritance (Joshua 15:14-15). The two tribes of
Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, had been given choice land indeed and lots
of it. However, they were too scared to actualize their inheritance fully. This
would prove to start a trend in the national history of Israel. Civil strife
would one day separate theses tribes. The northern kingdom, which had its power
center in Ephraim, dissolved much quicker than Judah. And, as we know, the
promises ended up coming through Judah for the Holy City where God’s Temple
would be built and where Jesus would make His atonement for the world. The only
good biblical kings were in the southern kingdom. God’s desire was for both to
prosper, but only Caleb’s bunch passed the test. What about us? Are we strong
in faith, confident, and courageous? Or, do we tend to complain about what we
might lack, stay in fear, and never get what God wants us to really have?
Verses to Memorize:
Joshua 17:12-13
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