JOSHUA 17:14-17
14 The people of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the Lord has blessed us abundantly.”
15 “If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites. ”
16 The people of Joseph replied, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.”
17 But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment 18 but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out.”
Last night at FG we were studying in John where Jesus had risen and come back to live among the disciples for a short period....casting the net to the right side of the boat and they caught 153 fish, etc. We were all struck by the fact that even at this point in the text of Jesus he was still, the teacher, the mentor, kind, loving and preparing the disciples for their future, even foreshadowing how the disciples might die. In some ways, Joshua has now taken on a similar role with similar character and behavioral qualities when dealing with the Israelites and the divisions of lands. In verses, 14-17, we can see where there is complaining, unhappiness, whining with his decision by his people but we can also see that Joshua has matured in his faith and trust in God (from earlier chapters) by the way he responds in verse 18. He reminds the people of Joseph that if they keep their faith in God, they to, will prevail in their conquest and drive the Canaanites out of those lands.
How often must we practice or fail to practice our own faith in Christ when dealing with issues we encounter during our day? Are we truly placing all in God's hands or are we trying to be BIG MEN and handle it? BIG MEN fall hard, Men of Faith may fall, too, but Jesus is always with us and God's Grace is forever surrounding us. Why do we forget this...?
That's good. I agree I thought it was kind of bold to be whiny and ungrateful because after all they were each getting half of one share. And Like you said it is very important not to lose sight of God and how he provides for us. While it may seem obvious to us how many times the Israelites failed to remember Gods power and keep their trust in him, I wonder if somebody wrote an account of my life how many more times they would find this lack of faith even though I know better?
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