Setting – The territory allocated to the half tribe of Manasseh.
Content – The daughters, Mahlah and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah, were granted land under God’s commandment to Moses (Num. 27:1-11). The sons of Joseph complained that the territory wasn’t large enough for them (v. 14), “Why have you given me only one lot and one portion for an inheritance, since I am a numerous people whom the LORD has thus far blessed?” Joshua said for them to take the forest of Perizzites and Rephaites, but they said that they couldn’t take the valley of Jezreel because (v. 16), “…the valley of Jezreel have iron chariots-they are too strong for us.”
Joshua granted the forest to them (v. 17-18 NLT), “…Since you are so large and strong, you will be given more than one portion. The forests of the hill country will be yours as well. Clear as much of the land as you wish and live there. And I am sure you can drive out the Canaanites from the valleys, too, even though they are strong and have iron chariots.”
Application – Here again we see that Israel (half tribe of Manasseh) didn’t drive out the Canaanites from the land. Even the Canaanites had “iron chariots-they are too strong for us”, God promised victory for Israel (Deut. 20:1) “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.”
I can understand Manesseh’s hesitancy. I wouldn’t want to go into battle when the odds don’t look in my favor. But God put Israel, and us, in positions where we aren’t able to do something on our own. That way when the battle is won, we realized that it was God providing the victory and not us. God wants us to realize that we can put our faith fully on His guidance, authority and power. God wants us to see the victory and God wants us to rely on Him.
Content – The daughters, Mahlah and Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah, were granted land under God’s commandment to Moses (Num. 27:1-11). The sons of Joseph complained that the territory wasn’t large enough for them (v. 14), “Why have you given me only one lot and one portion for an inheritance, since I am a numerous people whom the LORD has thus far blessed?” Joshua said for them to take the forest of Perizzites and Rephaites, but they said that they couldn’t take the valley of Jezreel because (v. 16), “…the valley of Jezreel have iron chariots-they are too strong for us.”
Joshua granted the forest to them (v. 17-18 NLT), “…Since you are so large and strong, you will be given more than one portion. The forests of the hill country will be yours as well. Clear as much of the land as you wish and live there. And I am sure you can drive out the Canaanites from the valleys, too, even though they are strong and have iron chariots.”
Application – Here again we see that Israel (half tribe of Manasseh) didn’t drive out the Canaanites from the land. Even the Canaanites had “iron chariots-they are too strong for us”, God promised victory for Israel (Deut. 20:1) “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.”
I can understand Manesseh’s hesitancy. I wouldn’t want to go into battle when the odds don’t look in my favor. But God put Israel, and us, in positions where we aren’t able to do something on our own. That way when the battle is won, we realized that it was God providing the victory and not us. God wants us to realize that we can put our faith fully on His guidance, authority and power. God wants us to see the victory and God wants us to rely on Him.
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