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Joshua Chapter 17 (ESV)

¹ Then allotment was made to the people of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph. To Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, were allotted Gilead and Bashan, because he was a man of war. ² And allotments were made to the rest of the people of Manasseh by their clans, Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These were the male descendants of Manasseh the son of Joseph, by their clans.

³ Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, had no sons, but only daughters, and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. ⁴ They approached Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the leaders and said, “The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance along with our brothers.” So according to the mouth of the Lord he gave them an inheritance among the brothers of their father.⁵ Thus there fell to Manasseh ten portions, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is on the other side of the Jordan, ⁶ because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance along with his sons. The land of Gilead was allotted to the rest of the people of Manasseh.

⁷ The territory of Manasseh reached from Asher to Michmethath, which is east of Shechem. Then the boundary goes along southward to the inhabitants of En-tappuah. ⁸ The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but the town of Tappuah on the boundary of Manasseh belonged to the people of Ephraim. ⁹ Then the boundary went down to the brook Kanah. These cities, to the south of the brook, among the cities of Manasseh, belong to Ephraim. Then the boundary of Manasseh goes on the north side of the brook and ends at the sea, ¹⁰ the land to the south being Ephraim’s and that to the north being Manasseh’s, with the sea forming its boundary. On the north Asher is reached, and on the east Issachar. ¹¹ Also in Issachar and in Asher Manasseh had Beth-shean and its villages, and Ibleam and its villages, and the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, and the inhabitants of En-dor and its villages, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its villages, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; the third is Naphath¹² Yet the people of Manasseh could not take possession of those cities, but the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land.¹³ Now when the people of Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out.

 ¹⁴ Then the people of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given me but one lot and one portion as an inheritance, although I am a numerous people, since all along the Lord has blessed me?” ¹⁵ And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.” ¹⁶ The people of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel.” 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.”

REFLECTION:

• Despite victory, there was disobedience among the tribes of Israel which indicated future disasters. When the population of Manassah grew, the tribe subdued several Canaanite towns in its territory. But rather than drive these people out as God had commanded, the Manassites enslaved them.
• Again, when the Manassah tribal members were challenged to conquer extra land, they failed to trust God, instead they responded, “The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron” (v16). Despite the unbroken record of military victories won with God’s aid, their vision of God were blocked by the iron chariots.

PRAYER: 

Heavenly Father, thank You for always walking with me. Whether it’s traversing rugged mountains or dark valleys, navigating winding paths or desolate wilderness, Your grace and love are always with me. However, despite receiving your abundant grace, my faith often falls short, and my body and spirit are weak. Especially when I face various difficulties, I become filled with worries and fears, much like the Israelites facing the “iron chariots” of the Canaanites in the past. Father in heaven, have mercy on my weakness. Teach me to rely solely on You in times of difficulty, instead of seeking my own ways and methods. Let me rest under the shadow of Your wings, relying on Your power to overcome. I deeply understand that external difficulties are not frightening; what is truly formidable is the pride and disobedience in my heart. That is my greatest enemy. Before I am intimidated by external challenges, I am already defeated by the enemies within my heart. My weakness and failures stem from my stubbornness and obstinacy. Father in heaven, transform my stubbornness into gentle obedience to You, and refine it to become a hundredfold strength. Strengthen my faith like a rock that can withstand any flood. Let it soar like an eagle, surpassing all barriers. Amen!

HYMN:

Turn Your Eyes – youtu.be/ZJDELcuYX3g