Reading: Joshua 17
“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…”.
Joshua 17: 18
Often we see boundaries as limitations—not always as
blessings. Or we see only the complications before us with no vision for
possibility.
As Joshua continued the allotments more questions and,
perhaps, attitudes of entitlement arose. The house of Joseph only received one
lot of the inhabited land and the inheritance of both sons continued to have
Canaanites in their midst.
Why? They asked. We are a numerous people. And Joseph
pointed out that the forest of the hill country was theirs as well. It would be
more than enough but they would need to clear it to possess it. And as a
numerous people they had the means if they stepped out in faith.
One line of Manasseh had no sons, but only daughters, and
they came to Joshua and reminded him, “The
Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers” And
Joshua honored that commitment reminding Israel of the foundation that in God
both male and female receive an inheritance. Unheard of in the surrounding
tribes—but from the very beginning in the Lord’s creation. If they had not had the
courage and faith to speak, would they have received?
“There is neither Jew
nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor
female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then
you are Abraham’s offspring, heirs according to the promise.” Galatians 3:
28-29
Lord, help us to accept the boundaries You choose for us and
look only to You for the work that You ask of us. Not in comparison to other
fields, or other positions, but the ones that You provide. Let us not place
automatic limitations on ourselves, or others, but look to Your counsel and
stand on Your promises. Help us to truly live and possess the terrain You have
given each of us in You.
Psalm of Worship: Psalm 137: 4
“How can we sing the Lord’s song in a foreign land?”
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