“And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Beth-shean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel.”
Context:The book of Joshua is a historical account of the Israelites’ conquest and division of the Promised Land. After Moses’ death, Joshua led the Israelites into Canaan, and they began to possess the land according to God’s command. Joshua 17 describes the allotment of the land to the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim, who were descendants of Joseph.
The Complaint of the Children of Joseph:In Joshua 17:14-18, the descendants of Joseph, who were allocated a portion of the land, came to Joshua with a complaint. They felt that the hill country they were given was insufficient for their growing population and their need for more land.
The Challenge:In verse 16, the children of Joseph state their concern about the Canaanites who dwelled in the land of the valley. They mention that these Canaanites possessed chariots of iron, which were formidable weapons of war during that time. This indicates that the children of Joseph felt overwhelmed and intimidated by the military strength of the Canaanites in the valley.
Faith and Trust in God’s Promise:The complaint of the children of Joseph highlights the challenges and obstacles they faced in fully occupying their allotted territory. However, it is essential to note that God had promised to give them the land and had been with them throughout their conquests. Despite their concerns about the chariots of iron and the strength of the Canaanites, the children of Joseph needed to trust in God’s provision and promises.
God’s Response:Joshua addressed the children of Joseph’s concern by encouraging them to clear the forested land and possess it, assuring them that they were a strong people and had the ability to defeat the Canaanites (Joshua 17:17-18). The responsibility to overcome the obstacles and possess the land ultimately rested with the Israelites, but God would be with them in the process.
Application:The story in Joshua 17:16 teaches us several important lessons. First, it reminds us of the challenges and obstacles we may face when pursuing God’s promises. Like the children of Joseph, we may feel overwhelmed by the strength of the opposition or the circumstances we encounter. However, just as God was faithful to the Israelites, we can trust in His promises and provision.
Second, this passage emphasizes the importance of faith and trust in God’s leading. The children of Joseph needed to rely on God’s strength and guidance to overcome their challenges and possess their land. Likewise, in our own lives, we need to trust in God’s wisdom and lean on His strength as we navigate difficulties and pursue His purposes.
Lastly, Joshua 17:16 encourages us to be courageous and take action. The Israelites were not to be passive or allow fear to hinder their progress. They were called to clear the land and possess it. Similarly, we are called to step out in faith, trusting God’s promises, and actively pursuing His purposes in our lives.
