Monday thoughts

Joshua, the leader who took over after Moses, had some shoes to fill; some rather large shoes, or to be more accurate, sandals. This is evidenced when we begin to read what are sometimes referred to as the "land-grant narratives" in Joshua 13-17.

The people of Israel had now come to the place where they were to take possession of the Promised Land. The very land God PROMISED to give to them. Let's pick up the story chapter fifteen; Joshua was divying out the land but some were struggling (see 15:63, 16:10, 17:12, 14 - I encourage you to read it on your own). 

First, when told their allotment of land, the tribe of Ephraim "did not drive the Canaanites out..." but instead kept them as slaves.  

In like fashion, upon encountering the "determined" (17:12) mindset of the Canaanites, the tribe of Manasseh didn't actually drive them out and possess the land. They simply waiting until they had gained enough strength and forced the inhabitants to work as their slaves. 

Finally, the descendants of Joseph lack the perseverance needed to possess the promise. Instead, they display an all-too-common perspective, "these people are bigger, faster, and stronger than us; loss is certain, why try?" (17:16).

In summary, what we find are all people who have been given a promise and land to go with it. Yet two, Ephraim and Manasseh, opt to permit the wickedness among them for their own personal gain even though God desired their (Canaanite) destruction. 

"Peace with wickedness is preferred to war for righteousness." (David M. Howard Jr.) 

And the tribe of Joseph, what do we discover about them? They were greedy and fearful (17:14 "why have you given us only one portion of land..." & 17:16 "they are too strong for us.") but ultimately unconvincing as Joshua doesn't bend to their manipulation.  Joshua essentially restates the allotment and process to possess it, like an undaunted father staring down the stubborn and entitled child.

Why write about Joshua's leadership challenges when we face fears as novel as anything any of us can recall in our lifetime?

Because when God promises something, He provides the requisite grace to lay hold of it. These times are UNCERTAIN but our God is not at all shaken, surprised, or dethroned. Some of us reading right now need to know this beyond a shadow of a doubt.

Tomorrow (Tuesday) we will look at Caleb. A man of promise tucked within this same narrative. He DARED to believe God despite many factors. Will you?