JOSHUA 16-17– MISSING GOD’S BEST
#15 – MOVING FORWARD – THE BOOK OF JOSHUA
- What does it mean to miss God’s best?
- How is it possible to miss God’s best for us?
- Why should we never be content with being just partially obedient?
- In Numbers 33:51-56 Israel was given instructions to take possession of the land and destroy the residents of the land and their idols. Joshua 1-12 describes the beginning of the process.
- In Joshua 13:1-7 God itemizes the land yet to be possessed and tells Joshua to divide the land so the individual tribes could possess their territory and finish conquering the land.
- As we arrive at Joshua 16-17, The Tribes of Reuben, Gad, the half-Tribe of Manasseh, and Judah had received their assigned inheritance. Next was the Tribe of Joseph that included Ephraim and the other half of Manasseh to receive their inheritance.
- Like the other Tribes, they missed God’s best by not totally obeying God.
COMPROMISE – Joshua 16:1-10
- 10 – After describing the territory in verses 1-9, this telling statement is made. Instead of driving them out, they simply subdued the Canaanites. There was always the potential for the Canaanites to regain strength and give grief to Israel.
- What happens when we allow pet sins to hang around? Colossians 3:1-10, 2 Peter 2:9
- “We Christians have three choices: (1) We can fully conquer our fleshly lusts; (2) we can co-exist with them; or (3) we can let them fully conquer us.” Roy Gingrich, The Book of Joshua
COMPLIANCE – Joshua 17:3-6
- Inheritance in the land came through the sons.
- However, when there were no sons, the daughters were to inherit. Numbers 27:1-11
- The daughters received their inheritance. The only stipulation was they needed to marry within their tribe. Numbers 36:1-12
- When it comes to inheritance, women and men have equal rights. Galatians 3:26-29
COMPLAINTS – Joshua 17:12-14, 16
- 12-13 – Manasseh was having trouble with the Canaanites. Why could they not drive them out? How does this relate to our stubborn sins?
- 14 – They wanted more territory than what they were allotted because of the difficulty they were experiencing in being victorious.
- 16 – They wanted an easier way of possessing land than what God prescribed. Sound familiar?
Hebrews 12:1-4, 1 Peter 5:8-9
COMPULSION – Joshua 17:15, 17-18
- 15 – Joshua compelled them not to be lazy but make a way for themselves. There was plenty of territory for them, they needed to possess it.
- 17-18 – Joshua again compelled them to get to work! They were to clear the land and drive out the Canaanites. With God’s help they could succeed.
- We too can take more Spiritual land and drive out our sins, if only we would get busy and trust God for help. 1 John 2:15-17, Ephesians 6:10-17, Galatians 5:16
