Daily Bible Reading for March 27, 2020

Today my Bible reading plan covers Joshua, Chapters 16-18. It continues the allotment of land to the Israelite tribes, excluding the Levites, whose inheritance is God.

In Chapter 16, the overall boundary of land for Joseph’s sons, Ephraim and Manasseh are given. The specific territory for Ephraim and his clans is identified with boundary lines north, south, east and west. They did not drive out all the Canaanites, but put them to forced labor.

In Chapter 17, the allotment made to Manasseh and his clans is identified with the boundary lines of the north, south, east and west borders. The cities and towns they inherited were identified. But they were not able to drive out all of the Canaanites. A complaint arose because the allotment to Joseph sons was just one lot and they were a “numerous people”.  Joshua rebukes them and tells them to drive out the Perizzites. With their persistent complaint that the land is not enough, Joshua tells them that they are granted the hill country but they must clear it by driving out the Canannites.

“For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.” Vs. 18b

Unlike Caleb, who took God at his word that he will give the inhabitants into their hand, the sons of Joseph did not.

In Chapter 18, the remaining land had not yet been apportioned. Joshua rebukes the remaining seven tribes for not taking possession of the land. He takes three men from each tribe to go out to survey and divide the land into seven regions which he will assign by casting lots.

The first lot cast fell to Benjamin. The inheritance of Benjamin’s land was defined by its borders, and the cities and towns inherited were identified.

My Thoughts On This: Our faith is more than a mere belief, it is demonstrated by what we do. Caleb believed God, and went in to drive out the inhabitants, while Joseph’s sons did not. It is not unlike our expression of love for God, as I probably referred to earlier. Our love is demonstrated by our obedience.

Let’s read the Book!