From Joshua 16-18
Overview
Josh 16.1-7.13; Story; The allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh
Josh 17.14-18; Story; The tribe of Joseph wants a bigger land. Joshua tells them to go get it.
Josh 18.1-10; Story; The allotment of the remaining land
Josh 18.11-28; Story; The Inheritance for Benjamin
Passage and comments
Joseph’ descendants want a bigger allotment because the LORD has blessed Joseph with many descendants. But the location has unwanted residents. So whats the problem? Shouldn't they just drive them out?
14 Then the people of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given me but one lot and one portion as an inheritance, although I am a numerous people, since all along the Lord has blessed me?” 15 And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.” 16 The people of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel.” 17 Then Joshua said to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, “You are a numerous people and have great power. You shall not have one allotment only, but the hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.” (Josh 17.14-18)
The people of Joseph want a bigger land, an easier land to conquer. They are a strong contrast to Caleb (Josh 14.6-15). Caleb is courageous, faithful, loyal and zealous. He fears neither giants or built up cities. He had a difficult land to conquer. But he did it, because he trusted that the LORD was with him.
The people of Joseph complain. They are unhappy with their allotment and insist they should receive more. The people of Joseph try to get a place that will be easy to settle. They are afraid of iron chariots. They cant do it. They don't trust in the LORD. Joshua is optimistic that they can take the land despite their chariots and strength. But what about them? Do you think they gave up believing and hoping?
Story of Israel
Israel continues to be a mix of faithful and unfaithful people through their history. For the most part however, most of Israel path is dominated by the unfaithful, with the occasional person of faith. The LORD sends prophet after prophet, but unfortunately they don't listen.
Story of Jesus
We need to keep trusting in the LORD. He has plans for each of our lives and he wants us to live courageously like Caleb, not like these descendants of Joseph. After Jesus died and rose again, his first followers exhorted one another with stories of faithful men like Caleb and women like Rahab.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they had been encircled for seven days. By faith Rahab the prostitute did not perish with those who were disobedient, because she had given a friendly welcome to the spies. And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. (Heb 11.30-34)We need to keep encouraging one another to keep trusting and to keep persevering.