The land allotment continues – this time for Joseph’s sons Ephraim and Manasseh.
Joshua 16: The Allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh
1 The allotment of the people of Joseph went from the Jordan by Jericho, east of the waters of Jericho, into the wilderness, going up from Jericho into the hill country to Bethel.
2 Then going from Bethel to Luz, it passes along to Ataroth, the territory of the Archites.
3 Then it goes down westward to the territory of the Japhletites, as far as the territory of Lower Beth-horon, then to Gezer, and it ends at the sea.
4 The people of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, received their inheritance.
5 The territory of the people of Ephraim by their clans was as follows: the boundary of their inheritance on the east was Ataroth-addar as far as Upper Beth-horon,
6 and the boundary goes from there to the sea. On the north is Michmethath. Then on the east the boundary turns around toward Taanath-shiloh and passes along beyond it on the east to Janoah,
7 then it goes down from Janoah to Ataroth and to Naarah, and touches Jericho, ending at the Jordan.
8 From Tappuah the boundary goes westward to the brook Kanah and ends at the sea. Such is the inheritance of the tribe of the people of Ephraim by their clans,
9 together with the towns that were set apart for the people of Ephraim within the inheritance of the Manassites, all those towns with their villages.
10 However, they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, so the Canaanites have lived in the midst of Ephraim to this day but have been made to do forced labour.
Joshua 17:
1 Then allotment was made to the people of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph. To Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, were allotted Gilead and Bashan, because he was a man of war.
2 And allotments were made to the rest of the people of Manasseh by their clans, Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher, and Shemida. These were the male descendants of Manasseh the son of Joseph, by their clans.
3 Now Zelophehad the son of Hepher, son of Gilead, son of Machir, son of Manasseh, had no sons, but only daughters, and these are the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah.
4 They approached Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun and the leaders and said, "The LORD commanded Moses to give us an inheritance along with our brothers." So according to the mouth of the LORD he gave them an inheritance among the brothers of their father.
5 Thus there fell to Manasseh ten portions, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, which is on the other side of the Jordan,
6 because the daughters of Manasseh received an inheritance along with his sons. The land of Gilead was allotted to the rest of the people of Manasseh.
7 The territory of Manasseh reached from Asher to Michmethath, which is east of Shechem. Then the boundary goes along southward to the inhabitants of En-tappuah.
8 The land of Tappuah belonged to Manasseh, but the town of Tappuah on the boundary of Manasseh belonged to the people of Ephraim.
9 Then the boundary went down to the brook Kanah. These cities, to the south of the brook, among the cities of Manasseh, belong to Ephraim. Then the boundary of Manasseh goes on the north side of the brook and ends at the sea,
10 the land to the south being Ephraim's and that to the north being Manasseh's, with the sea forming its boundary. On the north Asher is reached, and on the east Issachar.
11 Also in Issachar and in Asher Manasseh had Beth-shean and its villages, and Ibleam and its villages, and the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, and the inhabitants of En-dor and its villages, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its villages, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; the third is Naphath.
12 Yet the people of Manasseh could not take possession of those cities, but the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land.
13 Now when the people of Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labour, but did not utterly drive them out.
14 Then the people of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, "Why have you given me but one lot and one portion as an inheritance, although I am a numerous people, since all along the LORD has blessed me?"
15 And Joshua said to them, "If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you."
16 The people of Joseph said, "The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel."
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,
18 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, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong."
Things to think about…
In Josh 16 we see the two tribes of Joseph – Ephraim and Manasseh inheriting the land from the Jordan across to Jericho, Luz (Bethel), Beth-shean right across the middle of Israel through to the Mediterranean coast. This was the western inheritance of Manasseh. They also inherited the eastern side of the Jordan. Note again that the Canaanites continued to live in Gezer and were not driven out. In the same way there are areas in our lives that are not entirely submitted to the Lordship of Christ. May we conquer this land also.
Manasseh inherited the land on the East side of the Jordan – Gilead and Bashan from the defeat of the two kings, but Zelophehad only had daughters and they also received an inheritance among the sons, Josh 17:3. Therefore Manasseh also received land on the west side of the Jordan. Manasseh could not take possession of all of this land because “the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land”, 17:12. Sometimes sin persists. Just as an old pain medication ad suggested – ‘if pain persists, see your doctor’. We have the divine Doctor – Jesus Christ for when sin persists. Sometimes when we grow strong like Israel we can force these areas in our lives to submit, Josh 17:13. But often when we are weak, like a virus, sin takes advantage and subdues us for a season. Let’s encourage one another so that when we are weak, we are made strong through the encouragement we receive from others.
The people of Joseph wanted more land, not just one allotment. They received their request. The only trouble was that the Canaanites in these new allotted areas had iron chariots. Sometimes we can receive the Lord’s promises for various ministries, but it takes faith and hard work to see these promises fulfilled. True faith is only seen when there is a test to prove that it is genuine. Joshua encourages them to take the land even though the present inhabitants have iron chariots, Josh 17:17, 18. The iron of sin has been defeated through the blood of Christ as we celebrate this Easter.
Vision Point for cell groups
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Cell Groups on break over the Easter holidays.
Prayer Points
1. Good Friday and Easter Sunday messages.
2. Wedding and baptisms on the 18th April.
3. Growth, conversions, joy in the Word and Spirit to remain and increase.
4. New families as they settle into church.
5. Church finances to meet our new staff and to put a roof over our café.
6. Getting drawings into council.
7. Sunday’s message – Pastor Jay.
Praise Points.
1. Recharge Youth ministry starting to grow.
2. More visitors to church on Sunday.
3. We praise God for the rain but pray for those affected by potential flooding in Sydney and surrounding areas.
4. Praise the Lord for the Kids@church ministry. Thankyou Maddison.
5. Praise and worship – pray for continued growth and blessing.
6. Unity, peace and grace at CBC.
Announcements
1. Wedding and baptisms coming up 18th April at Church and Colleges Crossing. See Jay if you haven’t been baptized, but would like to be.
2. Good Friday service 2nd April 9:00am and Easter Sunday service 4th April 9:30am.
3. Church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
