Joshua 17:18

But the mountaine shalbe thine, for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it downe: and the outgoings of it shalbe thine: for thou shalt driue out the Canaanites, though they haue yron charets, and though they be strong. Joshua 17:18 (KJV)

Historical Context: The book of Joshua records the events surrounding the Israelites’ conquest and division of the Promised Land. At this point the land was being distributed among the tribes of Israel. In Joshua 17 the tribe of Manasseh is requesting more land because their allotment seemed insufficient.

The Challenge Faced: The verse begins with the statement, “But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood.” The tribe of Manasseh was given a mountainous region as their inheritance, which had forests. The presence of the mountain and the wood presented a challenge for the tribe. It required effort and work to clear the land for cultivation and settlement.

Symbolism of the Mountain: In the Bible mountains are often associated with obstacles, challenges, or places of encounter with God. The mountain in this verse therefore represents the difficulty the tribe of Manasseh would face in possessing and settling the land, and may also symbolize the challenges and opposition they would encounter as they sought to establish themselves in the Promised Land.

Divine Provision and Responsibility: Despite the challenge, God assured the tribe of Manasseh that they would be able to conquer the Canaanites, who were known for their strong iron chariots. The phrase “the outgoings of it shall be thine” suggests that the boundaries and territories beyond the mountain would belong to the tribe. God promised to give them victory over their enemies and enable them to possess the land.

Spiritual Lessons:

Trust in God’s Provision: The verse reminds us that when God assigns us a task or challenges us, He also provides the means to overcome it. The mountain may seem overwhelming, but with God’s help we can overcome the obstacles in our path.

Diligence and Perseverance: The tribe of Manasseh was instructed to cut down the wood and drive out the Canaanites. This implies the need for hard work, determination, and perseverance in fulfilling God’s purposes. Likewise we are called to be diligent and persistent in pursuing our spiritual goals and overcoming the challenges we face.

Dependence on God’s Strength: The Canaanites possessed iron chariots and were strong, yet God assured the tribe of victory. This teaches that no matter how powerful our adversaries may appear, we can trust in God’s strength and rely on Him to overcome seemingly insurmountable obstacles.

In summary, Joshua 17:18 portrays the challenge faced by the tribe of Manasseh in possessing their allotted land. It emphasizes the need for diligence, perseverance, trust in God’s provision, and dependence on His strength to overcome obstacles and fulfil His purposes.