2. 1-4 The children of Joseph: Manasseh and Ephraim Joshua 16
3. The powerful house of Joseph made up of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, inherited the rich territory of central Canaan. Because Joseph kept the whole family alive during the famine in Egypt, the patriarch Jacob ordained that Joseph’s two sons , Ephraim and Manasseh, should be made founders and heads of tribes with their uncles (cf. Gen. 48:5 ). Their territory in Canaan was in many respects the most beautiful and fertile. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures by Dallas Seminary Faculty.
4. Joshua 16 10 And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute. They repeatedly make this mistake : Leave a little pocket of Canaanites.
5. Joshua 17 1-6 A descendant of Manasseh -- Zelophehad had five daughters , but no sons. 4 And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore, according to the Commandment of the Lord, he gave them an inheritance among the brethren of their father.
6. 5 And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side Jordan; 6 Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead. Some people long for the good old days , "When men were men and women were property." That's never been true in the mind of God. God loves the daughters and the sons. No difference
7. Joshua 17 13 Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but did not utterly drive them out. They had the strength to drive them out, But kept them for tribute. Meant more than God.
8. Joshua 17 14 And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people (large tribe) , forasmuch as the Lord hath blessed me hitherto?
9. The lands were given by lot, and God controlled the fall of the lots. These sons of Joseph were not content with God's Provision. We must be careful about grumbling about what we have or don't have. We are grumbling against God .
10. Philippians 4 19 But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4 11 … I have learned , in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content . Hebrews 13 5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
11. 15 And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country , and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. "You've got plenty of land; go clear it." "Cut down the forests and drive out the giants and Perizzites."
13. Joshua didn't back down: He told them, "You already have two allotments, and that's plenty of land." You have plenty of people to do the job.
14. Contrast the attitude and mindset of these two tribes, with that of Caleb. They were fearful, while Caleb was faithful. They wanted special treatment, while Caleb just wanted to claim God's Promise. They wanted to live with the Canaanites, make money off of them, while Caleb was eager to drive them out.
15. We need to deal with sin in our lives, as God commanded the Israelites to deal with Canaanites. When we don't get all the willful sin out, It takes root . It will spring up when we least expect it, And drag us down .
16. Hebrews 12 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. 14 Follow peace with all men , and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you , and thereby many be defiled; That's just one example. Any sin will do the same.
17. Let us be not fearful, but faithful. Let's claim the Promises of God, living life His Way . Don't compromise with sin or with the world; Not for money , nor for pleasure , nor anything else .
18. Greater is He that is in us, than he that is in the world. We can do all things that God would have us to do, through Christ , Who is our strength. God has given us a church. Let's occupy it. Let's get to work; bring them in. Fight the battle in the Power of God. God will drive out the devil and give us the victory.
