An allotment of land is given to Manasseh, and they also neglect to drive out the inhabitants of the land. Manasseh and Ephraim both complain about their allotments, and the response of the tribe of Ephraim foreshadows their ongoing discontent.
Joshua 17:14 (WEB) “The children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, ‘Why have you given me just one lot and one part for an inheritance, since we are a numerous people, because Yahweh has blessed us so far?’ ”
Judges 8:1 (WEB) “The men of Ephraim said to him, ‘Why have you treated us this way, that you didn’t call us when you went to fight with Midian?’ They rebuked him sharply.”
Judges 12:1 (WEB) “The men of Ephraim were gathered together, and passed northward; and they said to Jephthah, ‘Why did you pass over to fight against the children of Ammon, and didn’t call us to go with you? We will burn your house around you with fire!’ “
Joshua doesn’t stand for it. He confronts them and challenges them to work for a better home!
Joshua 17:15 (WEB) “Joshua said to them, ‘If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest, and clear land for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.’ “
Thought for the day: Our culture continually encourages us to be like Ephraim. To be discontent. To complain. To take shortcuts. To not want to work for a reward. Scripture instead challenges us to be content, diligent, industrious, and conscientious. Even with a desire for something different, we should be joyful for what we have and okay if our circumstances don’t change. But if we desire change, we need to make sure that we are willing to do the work that is necessary to bring about that change!
1 Timothy 6:6 (WEB) “But godliness with contentment is great gain.”
