May the mumbling commence!
Here I am again. I am still lost in the Promised Land. In the midst of today’s allotment of the Promised Land, another hidden promise is fulfilled. Do you remember the daughters of Zelophehad? Read this excerpt from Joshua 17:
Now Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Makir, the son of Manasseh, had no sons but only daughters, whose names were Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah. They went to Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the leaders and said, "The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brothers." So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father, according to the Lord's command. Manasseh's share consisted of ten tracts of land besides Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan, because the daughters of the tribe of Manasseh received an inheritance among the sons. The land of Gilead belonged to the rest of the descendants of Manasseh. (Verses 3-6)
The precedent had been set by the Lord through Moses and the promise was carried out by the Lord through Joshua and Eleazar. Manasseh’s inheritance was increased because of Zelophehad’s daughters. The Lord always fulfills His promises even at great cost and at great irritation to larger humanity.
No, the Lord does not have a preferential option for the poor and vulnerable – even though it may look that way to some people. The Lord blesses everyone the same, and sometimes it looks scandalous to our eyes. The Lord is always fair and just.
But, at times, people do question the fair distribution of God’s blessings. Look at this passage from later in Joshua 17:
The people of Joseph said to Joshua, "Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people and the Lord has blessed us abundantly."
"If you are so numerous," Joshua answered, "and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites."
The people of Joseph replied, "The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have iron chariots, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel."
But Joshua said to the house of Joseph – to Ephraim and Manasseh – "You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out." (Verses 14-18)
Joseph’s sons thought that their inheritance was too small. Their fear confined them in the hills. Though there were valleys and plains in their allotment, they feared the iron chariots of the people of the valley and the plains. We often like to cling to the familiar and comfortable.
We often wish to stay with the Lord in the mountaintop experiences. Yet, we learn much about ourselves, develop our faith, and cement our character in the experiences we have in the valley and it the plains. With the Lord, we can conquer our times in the valleys and the plains – just like the sons of Joseph were invited to do.
I will leave us with the question from Joshua 18:3b – "How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your fathers, has given you?” Let us wait no longer to place our claim on being children of God and take possession of the Promised Land that is before us – life eternal with God. Eternal life starts when you choose to take possession of it through faith in Jesus. And eternal life is not only about quantity, it is also about quality. The caliber of eternal life is so great that our wildest imaginings fall far short. I praise the Lord for the promises that He sets before me.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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