In the ongoing narrative of the Promised Land allocation, Joshua 17 provides a compelling continuation of the story, underscoring the importance of steadfastness and resolve in the face of challenges. This daily devotional reveals not only the distribution of land to the daughters of Manasseh but also highlights the ongoing struggle between the Israelites and the Canaanites. It prompts a reflection on the necessity of fighting for what we believe and the determination required to overcome obstacles. Through Joshua’s firm leadership and the faithfulness of the Israelites, we are reminded of the value of adhering to divine commands and the courage needed to claim our promises. Dive into Joshua 17 to explore these themes and discover how they resonate with our personal battles today. To discover more of the Promised Land allocation, read the daily devotional on Joshua 16.
Joshua 17 Commentary by Allen J. Huth
Joshua 17 is the continuation of the allotment of the Promised Land. Sometimes we need to stand firm for what we believe. Are you willing to fight for what you believe? Please read or listen to Joshua 17.
In 1995, after reading Joshua 17, I wrote, “More land divided, yet still they let the Canaanites stay in the land. You sometimes need to fight for what you want.”
In 2004, I read Joshua 15-17 on the same day, and concerning chapter 17, wrote, “The sons of Joseph needed more land because they didn’t want to drive out the Canaanites with chariots of iron. They wanted the easy way out. Joshua says, ‘No! Clean them out!’ We all have battles. Do we drive them out, compromise with them, or shy away from them and want the easy way ou
What Does the Tribe of Manasseh Represent?
In 2013, I read Joshua 17, and wrote in my personal Bible reading journal, “Daughters of Manasseh gain an allotment of the Promised Land. They were recognized and granted ownership of property because their father had no sons.” I continued to write, “It appears the people lost their faith or confidence in God along the way. They failed to drive out the Canaanites and they make excuses. Joshua doesn’t buy the excuses and stays firm. If you want more land, go fight for it and go take it from the Canaanites. It takes faith and work to accomplish God’s will and purpose in life.”
What Is the Meaning of Joshua 17?
Let’s look at two key principles from Joshua 17. First, one of the sons of Manasseh had no sons; he only had daughters. Verse 4 says, “‘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.” Where does this come from? We have to go back to the Book of Numbers 36:1-12:
The heads of the fathers’ houses of the clan of the people of Gilead the son of Machir, son of Manasseh, from the clans of the people of Joseph, came near and spoke before Moses and before the chiefs, the heads of the fathers’ houses of the people of Israel. They said, “The Lord commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the people of Israel, and my lord was commanded by the Lord to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters.But if they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the people of Israel, then their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of our fathers and added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry. So it will be taken away from the lot of our inheritance. And when the jubilee of the people of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe into which they marry, and their inheritance will be taken from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.”
And Moses commanded the people of Israel according to the word of the Lord, saying, “The tribe of the people of Joseph is right. This is what the Lord commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: ‘Let them marry whom they think best, only they shall marry within the clan of the tribe of their father. The inheritance of the people of Israel shall not be transferred from one tribe to another, for every one of the people of Israel shall hold on to the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. And every daughter who possesses an inheritance in any tribe of the people of Israel shall be wife to one of the clan of the tribe of her father, so that every one of the people of Israel may possess the inheritance of his fathers.So no inheritance shall be transferred from one tribe to another, for each of the tribes of the people of Israel shall hold on to its own inheritance.’”
The daughters of Zelophehad did as the Lord commanded Moses, . . . They were married into the clans of the people of Manasseh the son of Joseph, and their inheritance remained in the tribe of their father’s clan.
The Tribe of Manasseh
In Joshua 17, this action takes place. These daughters of the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, remained faithful to the promise. They did not marry outside of the tribe of Joseph. They were faithful to the Word of God. And Joshua honors their faithfulness and gives them their inheritance. They understood the conditions, they lived by them, and they are now rewarded.
The second key point of Joshua 17 is one we covered in previous chapters of Joshua. It is covered in verses 12 and 13, “Yet the people of Manasseh could not take possession of those cities, but the Canaanites persisted in dwelling in that land . . . they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out.” Now, they want more land. They say they are a numerous people so they want to be given land by Joshua. Joshua does not buy the argument. He tells them, “Go take the land.” Verses 17 and 18:
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, 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.”
We learned this principle in previous chapters, but sometimes you have to fight for what you want.
Praise God for Joshua’s consistent leadership. He granted the daughters of Machir, exactly what they deserved. Here, he gives the tribe of Manasseh and Ephraim exactly what they deserved. Joshua was consistent and firm.
Prayer
Father, we thank You for these great principles out of Joshua 17. We thank You Joshua knew the Word. He knew what Numbers 36 said and he abided by it. We also thank You he stood firm, and said to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, “Go take what you want.” These principles remind us to obey Your Word and to fight for what we hear in it. May You bless us as we go take our Promised Land. In Your name, we ask it. Amen.
