Joshua 16,17; Psalm 129

Read Joshua 16-17; Psalm 129

Verse chosen for meditation: Joshua 17:17,18 ESV

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, 18 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.”

Reflect

Why were Ephraim and Manasseh entitled to lands when they were not even sons of Jacob, or Israel as he was later called? Also, why is Manasseh mentioned after Ephraim when he was the first born of Joseph?

What can we learn about making requests from this passage? There were at least 2 requests made pertaining to the allotment of lands.

Were the requests made in fair hearing, and were they fair requests to begin with? 

Was there any precedence set? Were the replies expected, or were they not?

Relate

Concerning the treatment of Manasseh and Ephraim as though they were his own sons like his other twelve sons, Genesis 48 gives a good account (v5) of the matter. It also explains how Jacob mistakenly mixed the order up when Joseph had positioned the two boys according to their ages (v19).

For that reason, it was appropriate that as sons of Jacob, they should request for an additional share of the land. The hearing was made in the presence of Joshua whom God had endorsed as the rightful successor to Moses. As such, both the request and hearing were fair.

A precedence was set in relation to the request by Zelophedad's daughters. Though as the great great grandson of Manasseh, any of Zelophedad's descendants should have been accorded rights, but in those days, lands were only allotted to males in the family.  

So, what happened to families when there were no sons to inherit the father's share? This was exactly the situation in Zelophedad's case. Would they be disqualified on grounds that there were no eligible heirs? 

In a favourable turn of events, which set a landmark, the case expanded the legal rights of women. Thereupon, after a revision in ruling, women were included in the list of eligible heirs of property. The following also became the inheritance order: son, daughter, brother, paternal uncle, and nearest clan kin. This was to ensure that property was not transferred outside of one's tribe (Numbers 27:1-11).

Not only were the hearing and request fair, so was the outcome. So, what about the outcome of the request made by the tribes of Joseph concerning an extra portion of land, was is really fair?

Inferring from the reply that Joshua gave to them, it sounded fair and reasonable. He didn't say no to their request. He even gave them a piece of good advice. The rest would be up to them.

It was true that they had allowed the Canaanites to remain in their occupied land in return for their free labour when they could have driven them out completely. More land could have been theirs as a result, but they chose to have an easy life by striking a compromise with the Canaanites instead.

From the account, it is obvious that they wanted everything, including not having to do anything for the extra land even when it was assured to them that they would be able to drive out the Canaanites in spite of their strong, iron – fitted chariots. In other words, they wanted it all on a platter.

Are we like them in any way? Have we made any request of the Lord, or claimed what's been promised to us? 

Do we think the answer is fair and reasonable? Is there a precedence set? 

As children of God, we're told to make our requests known in Philippians 4: 6 and John 16: 24. A fair hearing is assured in the presence of God himself, with the promise of peace and joy respectively. 

So, what this passage shows us is the heart and attitude of God when we make our requests known to him. He eagerly hears us. He desires to be fair to us. He even makes justified exceptions for us.

But we need to do our part as well. We need to trust that it is possible as he said it would be (Matthew 7:7). Only that it would not always be granted on a platter.

Rest

Lord, we thank you that we can bring our requests before you. And for taking our side each time, even making exceptions for us. But let us not assume that it will always be granted on a platter.

Naville Chia