Giants. Walled cities. Iron chariots. It had to be somewhat intimidating to the Israelites as they moved in to redeem the land that God gave them. Most of us have more than a few obstacles in life that we have to remove but these were very intimidating barriers. It’d be like me trying to go one-on-one with Kobe Bryant. The only way I beat him is if he breaks both legs and has a heart attack as he steps onto the court. The odds aren’t in my favor.
This week Pastor Chris taught us that The Promised Land was being subdivided and the clans and families of the original twelve sons of Jacob were receiving their inheritance. Now Joseph’s inheritance is double any other brother and he gets two portions for his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh. Jacob’s son Levi received no land inheritance because God commissioned Levi and his clan into the priesthood and they received their blessings in different ways. So the people of Joseph’s family came to complain because they felt their land portions were too small for their numerous people. What they were really saying was the portion of their land that was already cleared and cultivated for farming and pastures for their flocks were still occupied with hostile people with intimidating weapons. All the other land was still uncultivated…rural forested property. They were seeking an easy way. Joshua says to them “You’ve got one of the biggest portions of land of any tribe…yes, it is uncultivated but you are one of the larger and stronger tribes and with a little “sweat equity”, you can overcome your enemies. From your effort, you can have all the space you’ll ever need. So, cease this complaining and go to work …you never get something for nothing.” That’s what I think Joshua was saying to the family of Joseph.
There is another saying in the Bible that says, “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” Luke 12:48 (NIV). This was a large family with tremendous resources and the Lord (and Joshua) knew that they could handle the land and those who inhabited it. We may view them as whiners but we often act the same way. We want to ride on the coat tails of those who have already done the hard work. We often feel that we are owed something—why should we have to work for something when others we know seem to get a free ride? But Joshua refused to bow to their whining. He did not give them an “easy pass.” Rather, he said “Get to work…create your bountiful future… Work for it. You are strong when you trust in your God. You have the promise and you are already over-comers. Now, take what God’s already given you.”
Joseph says, “Clear it, and it’s farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you will drive them out (vs. 18). Basically, Joseph is saying, “you are your only limitation.”
The same goes for us. God does not give us something for nothing. Even our salvation cost God the life of His own Son. When I look at this community and see the strongholds that exist, I have to realize that “greater is He who is in me than who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). This town, this community, this is the land He has given to us who live here, worship here and believe in Him. It’s up to us to avoid whining about how horrible things are and fall on our knees in prayer. We must boldly claim that it is only through His Spirit that we will begin to cultivate a land overgrown with the spiritually dead. In Christ, we are a great people who serve at the direction of a great God. No more whining…let us take the land God has already given to us. No reserve, no retreat, no regret.
Let this be our prayer:
God, sometimes I have amazing faith and sometimes I have a petty faith. I’ve seen you work in my life and the lives of others. I’ve seen you do grand things. Why do I so easily lose sight of your power sometimes and focus on the iron chariots in my life? Encourage me through your Spirit to face those challenges with faith, to trust in you and not me. Lord, forgive me for my whining, complaining and sorry excuses. Give me the victory through your power so I can give you the glory.