More on the Tribes of Joseph (Josh. 16-17)

SPIRITUAL DIARY

My Worship Time                              Focus:  More on the tribes of Joseph

Bible Reading & Meditation                        Reference:  Joshua chapters 16-17

          Message of the verses:  Chapter sixteen and seventeen show the division of the two tribes of Joseph and they also show the pride of these tribes, and their seemingly lack of faith.  I will get into this latter on.

            I want to write the fifth lesson from Warren Wiersbe’s book “Be Strong” which is his commentary on the book of Joshua.  “God wants to give all His people their inheritance.  ‘You do not have because you do not ask’ (James 4:2, NKJV).  In Jesus Christ, all believers are one an are heirs of God (Gal. 3:26-29).  Nothing from your first birth should hinder you from claiming all that you have in Jesus Christ.”  This lesson was given after the long fifteenth chapter where all of the rest of the tribes were given their inheritance. 

            At the end of chapter seventeen the sons of Manasseh began to complain to Joshua about the size of their territory, and it seems to be because of their pride that they did this complaining.  They wanted more land, but they were not willing to drive out the Canaanites who were in the valley, which God had promised they could do:  1 ¶  "When you go out to battle against your enemies and see horses and chariots and people more numerous than you, do not be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, is with you. (Deu. 20:1)  They did not have the same kind of faith that Caleb had, for he went onto his land and drove the Canaanites from it and he was eighty-five years old. 

            Spiritual meaning for my life today:  What I can take out of this section has to do with pride, for the tribe of Manasseh was a prideful people, and this showed up latter on also and their tribe was eventually led into captivity.  The Bible teaches that pride comes before a fall, and I must realize that all that I have is because of what the Lord has given to me, and therefore I have nothing to have pride over.  The greatest gift that God has given me is salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ and so like Paul if I am to boast it is in Christ Jesus.

My Steps of Faith for Today:

1. Trust the Lord to guide my path today.
2. Give myself to the Lord for worship and service.
3. Continue to learn contentment.
4. Put on the spiritual armor:  The belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace, take up the shield of faith, put on the helmet of salvation, and take up the sword of the Spirit.

10/24/2009 9:05 AM