One allotment

The sons of Joseph complained to Joshua. The sons of Joseph here are the tribe of Ephraim. They are making this complaint in two points. (1) The tribe of Manasseh received two territories, one in the east and one in the west of the Jordan River, but to Ephraim, only one lot and one portion were given, even though they were a tribe of numerous people. Joshua, receiving this complaint, said to them that they can go up to a forest and clear an inhabitable place for themselves. (2) They responded by saying that the hill country was too small for them and that the Canaanites in the valley land of Beth-shean and in the valley of Jezreel were unconquerable as they had chariots of iron. To this, Joshua said that, as they clear a place in the forest, they must drive out the Canaanites. Ephraim should be able to do so if they have such numerous people and the ability. In short, they need to acquire the land with their own effort.

Lesson for us

(1) Let’s pay attention to Joshua’s behavior as a public figure. He himself was from the tribe of Ephraim, but he did not give his own tribe any special treatment. He treated all tribes fairly. This is the reason he was trustworthy as a leader. (2) The tribe of Ephraim sought blessing without making any effort. Here is a trap that any believer can fall into. The mindset of a balanced believer is that “the Lord, by his grace, provides us with good things. Therefore, we must make the effort to win them.” Have you been complaining that the place given to you is too small? The land you shall clear with your own effort is right before your eyes. By faith, let’s make the effort to expand our territory.