June 28, 2021
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Reading along with us in Joshua? Here’s today’s reading:
Joshua 17 (NIV)
1 This was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn, that is, for Makir, Manasseh’s firstborn. Makir was the ancestor of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because the Makirites were great soldiers. 2 So this allotment was for the rest of the people of Manasseh—the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph by their clans.........Continue Reading
Joshua 16 & 17
We again see mention of the daughters who were given an inheritance by Moses because their father had no sons here.
Interesting how division of land has to be mentioned in the Bible. It seems rather unimportant. Yet it tells us what matters to God. All these details of life that may even cause stress and strife among His people are all significant.
Joshua 17
17But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment 18but 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.”
Joshua is still reminding the people of their strength and the faithfulness of God’s promise for their lands.
Joshua 17
So glad Joshua reminds the tribes of Joseph that they are powerful, not only because of their strength, but what God had promised as well. At least I hope that is part of what Joseph has confidence in as he challenges them here. May we push forward in faith rather than shrinking back because things that God has lead us to is too hard. And may we all stand ready to encourage each other to press on and forward in the will, purposes and power of our great God!
16The 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.”
17But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment 18but 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.”
Again, women are not relegated to the background. They step up and ask for land in their father’s name because he had no sons to continue their family’s inheritance in Israel. GOD agrees with Moses and says basically, “the daughters are right give them the land.”