March 28, 2023
Today’s reading takes us through the additional allotment of land for Ephraim, Manasseh, and others. We find this information in chapters 16, 17, and 18.
Chapter 16 –
The tribe of Joseph was actually divided into two tribes from his sons, Ephraim, and Manasseh. They did not drive out the Canaanites but they remained in the land and served as forced labor. Why is this important? We will learn from the book of Judges that their failure to drive them out is setting Israel up for a fall because of their idolatrous practices.
Next comes Manasseh and in the midst of these verse we find five daughters of Zelophehad who had no inheritance because it went to the sons. They came to Joshua and pleaded their case and received an inheritance. This goes back to Numbers 17:4-5.
The descendants of Manasseh and Ephraim were so great they needed additional land. Joshua directed them to additional land but they were fearful of the Canaanites. The people feared the Canaanites but Joshua, but the courageous leader he was encouraged them to drive the Canaanites out of the land. Working together they could take and clear the land.
Chapter 18 –
Israel gathered at the tent of meeting where they met to offer sacrifices. The land was subdued before them but there was still several tribes who had no land. Joshua tells the land will not divide itself you must do something. I guess they expected Joshua do everything. He told them to select three men from each tribe to survey the land, bring back the surveys, and he would cast lots for their inheritance. Although God gives us things, He expects us to take them.
The land is surveyed, lots are cast, the land is divided, and the remaining tribes take possession of their land. Joshua was saying it is up to God who gets what portion. The remainder of the chapter and all of chapter 19 describe the allotment of the land to remaining tribes.
Chapter 19 – Verses 49 – 51
Finally Joshua received his personal inheritance. Like any good leader he made sure the people had received theirs before he took his allotment. With their leader now in his new home they divided the remainder up.
Asbury United Methodist Church 