HIGHLIGHT
Joshua 17:17 (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,
EXPLAIN
The book of Joshua is exciting. God’s people are finally entering the Promised Land. Repeatedly, God tells Joshua not to be afraid. The war of conquest is amazing.
But in the apportionment of the land, we begin to see some concerns. In Joshua 17, we find the allotment to the tribe of Manasseh. It sounds like a great inheritance.
Now, in the final verses, the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh begin to complain about their inheritance. They were not given enough, they said.
Joshua responded, saying that if they needed more, they should clear the land God had given them. The people complained again that the hill country was not enough, and the Canaanites who lived there had chariots of iron.
in Joshua 17:17-18, Joshua responded, telling the people they had all the resources they needed to conquer the territory and settle the land.
APPLY
Sometimes, like these two tribes we feel like we don’t have the resources we need to serve God. We don’t have the talents, skills or abilities to be personally used of God.
Or, our local church doesn’t have the teachers, musicians, leaders, and more to perform effective ministry and outreach to our community.
The truth is, God gives us all we need to be used of him. And, through his power, we can have a powerful ministry to others.
Indeed, it is those who are faithful, even though they think they need more resources, that God tends to bless with more resources and opportunities to serve him.
RESPOND
Heavenly Father, thank you for all the gifts, talents, skills, and other resources you have entrusted to me to use for your glory. Help me to be faithful in offering my life as a living sacrifice to you. Amen.