YOU CAN DRIVE THEM OUT

Joshua 16:1-17:18

Key Verse 17:18

“but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out.”

Introduction

This passage is about allotment for the tribe of Joseph; Manasseh and Ephraim. The two tribes were given vast land. Zelophehad’s daughters claimed for the land according to God’s command for his father. The people of Joseph demanded more allotment for land. But Joshua encouraged them to pioneer the difficult land by faith in God even though people in the land had chariots fitted with iron.

1. Read 16:1-10. What regions were allotted for Joseph’ descendants? (1-4) Where was the Ephraimites’ territory? (5-9) Who did they fail to dislodge and what was the consequence? (10)

1-1. Read 16:1-10.

The allotment for Joseph began at the Jordan, east of the springs of Jericho, and went up from there through the desert into the hill country of Bethel. ² It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz),^[a] crossed over to the territory of the Arkites in Ataroth, ³ descended westward to the territory of the Japhletites as far as the region of Lower Beth Horon and on to Gezer, ending at the Mediterranean Sea.⁴ So Manasseh and Ephraim, the descendants of Joseph, received their inheritance.⁵ This was the territory of Ephraim, according to its clans:The boundary of their inheritance went from Ataroth Addar in the east to Upper Beth Horon ⁶ and continued to the Mediterranean Sea. From Mikmethath on the north it curved eastward to Taanath Shiloh, passing by it to Janoah on the east. ⁷ Then it went down from Janoah to Ataroth and Naarah, touched Jericho and came out at the Jordan. ⁸ From Tappuah the border went west to the Kanah Ravine and ended at the Mediterranean Sea. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the Ephraimites, according to its clans. ⁹ It also included all the towns and their villages that were set aside for the Ephraimites within the inheritance of the Manassites.10 They did not dislodge the Canaanites living in Gezer; to this day the Canaanites live among the people of Ephraim but are required to do forced labor.

1-2. What regions were allotted for Joseph’ descendants? (1-4)

· The allotment for Joseph began at the Jordan, east of the springs of Jericho, and went up from there through the desert into the hill country of Bethel. ² It went on from Bethel (that is, Luz),^[a] crossed over to the territory of the Arkites in Ataroth, ³ descended westward to the territory of the Japhletites as far as the region of Lower Beth Horon and on to Gezer, ending at the Mediterranean Sea.⁴ So Manasseh and Ephraim, the descendants of Joseph, received their inheritance.

· The allotment for Joseph was vast and fertile. It was fulfillment of Jacob’s blessing for them (Gen 48:15,16, 49:22-26)

1-3. Where was the Ephraimites’ territory? (5-9)

· This was the territory of Ephraim, according to its clans:The boundary of their inheritance went from Ataroth Addar in the east to Upper Beth Horon ⁶ and continued to the Mediterranean Sea. From Mikmethath on the north it curved eastward to Taanath Shiloh, passing by it to Janoah on the east. ⁷ Then it went down from Janoah to Ataroth and Naarah, touched Jericho and came out at the Jordan. ⁸ From Tappuah the border went west to the Kanah Ravine and ended at the Mediterranean Sea. This was the inheritance of the tribe of the Ephraimites, according to its clans. ⁹ It also included all the towns and their villages that were set aside for the Ephraimites within the inheritance of the Manassites.

· Manasseh and Ephraim were Joseph’s two sons. Ephraim was younger brother but he was blessed as first son by Jacob. (Gen 48:8-20) Now Ephraim received the land first before his older brother. Ephraimites became leader tribe for the Northern kingdom of Israel later.

1-4. Who did they fail to dislodge and what was the consequence? (10).

· They did not dislodge the Canaanites living in Gezer; to this day the Canaanites live among the people of Ephraim but are required to do forced labor.

· Ephraimites didn’t fully obey God’s command to drive out the Canaanites. (Dt 7:2)

· Rather they allowed them to live among their people.

· Ephraim forced the Canaanites to do forced labor.- Even though they had enough power to drive out the Canaanites they let them remain for their benefits.

· The remaining Canaanites caused many troubles to Israelites such as worshipping idols. Ephraimites became the center of Idol worshipping later.

2. Read 17:1-13. What was the allotment for the male descendants of Manasseh? (1-2) Who received an inheritance for Zelophehad? (3-6) Describe the allotted territory for Manasseh. (7-10) What happened to some towns that were challenging to occupy? (11-13)

2-1. Read 17:1-13.

This was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn, that is, for Makir, Manasseh’s firstborn. Makir was the ancestor of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because the Makirites were great soldiers. ² So this allotment was for the rest of the people of Manasseh—the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph by their clans.³ 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, Milkah and Tirzah. ⁴ 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 relatives.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father, according to the Lord’s command. ⁵ Manasseh’s share consisted of ten tracts of land besides Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan, ⁶ 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.⁷ The territory of Manasseh extended from Asher to Mikmethath east of Shechem. The boundary ran southward from there to include the people living at En Tappuah. ⁸ (Manasseh had the land of Tappuah, but Tappuah itself, on the boundary of Manasseh, belonged to the Ephraimites.) ⁹ Then the boundary continued south to the Kanah Ravine. There were towns belonging to Ephraim lying among the towns of Manasseh, but the boundary of Manasseh was the northern side of the ravine and ended at the Mediterranean Sea. ¹⁰ On the south the land belonged to Ephraim, on the north to Manasseh. The territory of Manasseh reached the Mediterranean Sea and bordered Asher on the north and Issachar on the east.11 Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had Beth Shan, Ibleam and the people of Dor, Endor, Taanach and Megiddo, together with their surrounding settlements (the third in the list is Naphoth^[a]).¹² Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region. ¹³ However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely.

2-2. What was the allotment for the male descendants of Manasseh? (1-2)

· This was the allotment for the tribe of Manasseh as Joseph’s firstborn, that is, for Makir, Manasseh’s firstborn. Makir was the ancestor of the Gileadites, who had received Gilead and Bashan because the Makirites were great soldiers. ² So this allotment was for the rest of the people of Manasseh—the clans of Abiezer, Helek, Asriel, Shechem, Hepher and Shemida. These are the other male descendants of Manasseh son of Joseph by their clans.

·

2-3. Who received an inheritance for Zelophehad? (3-6)

· ³ 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, Milkah and Tirzah. ⁴ 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 relatives.” So Joshua gave them an inheritance along with the brothers of their father, according to the Lord’s command. ⁵ Manasseh’s share consisted of ten tracts of land besides Gilead and Bashan east of the Jordan, ⁶ 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.

· Zelophehad had no son but had five daughters. The daughters claimed the land as portion of their father. “The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our relatives.”

· They claimed their right to receive the land based on God’s command. (Numbers 27:1-11)

· At that time daughters didn’t have right to receive inheritance because they would belong to other tribe once they would get married. And Zelophehad’s family couldn’t’t receive a land because there were no son in the family. And Zelophehad’s name could disappear in the tribe of Manasseh since his family couldn’t’t receive a land. So to keep his father’s name in the tribe, the daughters claimed the land according to the God’s command.(Numbers 27:1-11)

2-4. Describe the allotted territory for Manasseh. (7-10)

· The territory of Manasseh extended from Asher to Mikmethath east of Shechem. The boundary ran southward from there to include the people living at En Tappuah. ⁸ (Manasseh had the land of Tappuah, but Tappuah itself, on the boundary of Manasseh, belonged to the Ephraimites.) ⁹ Then the boundary continued south to the Kanah Ravine. There were towns belonging to Ephraim lying among the towns of Manasseh, but the boundary of Manasseh was the northern side of the ravine and ended at the Mediterranean Sea. ¹⁰ On the south the land belonged to Ephraim, on the north to Manasseh. The territory of Manasseh reached the Mediterranean Sea and bordered Asher on the north and Issachar on the east.

2-5. What happened to some towns that were challenging to occupy? (11-13)

· Within Issachar and Asher, Manasseh also had Beth Shan, Ibleam and the people of Dor, Endor, Taanach and Megiddo, together with their surrounding settlements (the third in the list is Naphoth^[a]).12 Yet the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region. ¹³ However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely.

· Manassites were not able to occupy theses town : They were supposed to derive out the Canaanites by faith in God fighting continually but they didn’t do it. They didn’t obey God’s command with lack of faith seeking easy going life.

· Canaanites determined to live in that region. They decided to stay in the land whatever happens and resisted Israelite’s conquering.

- They show the nature of Satan. Satan doesn’t want to lose or give up his territory. Satan wants to keep his territory by any means and resist against work of God.

- We should not give up but keep fighting until we drive out all Stan’s occupation.

· However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor but did not drive them out completely. :

- While King David and Solomon reigned Israel was most powerful and was able to drive Canaanite completely from the region.

- Our spiritual power should grow stronger to overcome all evil forces. None of evil power can resist the power of the Holy Spirit.

3. Read 17:14-18. What was the complaint issued by Joseph’s descendants? (14) What did Joshua say to them? (15) What was their excuse? (16) How did Joshua assure them? (17, 18)

3-1. Read 17:14-18.

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.” ¹⁵ “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.”¹⁶ The people of Joseph replied, “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.”¹⁷ But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment ¹⁸ but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out.”

3-2. What was the complaint issued by Joseph’s descendants? (14)

· 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.”

· The people of Joseph were Ephraim and Manasseh. They were given one allotment being counted as one tribe because they were same tribe of Joseph.

· Their argument could not be justified. First, half of Manasseh had received the land already. Second, other tribes such as Judah and Dan also had similar number of people. Comparing to the number of people, the size of the land that they had received was a lot bigger than the size of the land that other tribes had received. Also the land they had received was very fertile. Their request for more allotment came from their greed.

3-3. What did Joshua say to them? (15)

· “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.”

· Joshua encouraged them to cultivate the land of forest instead of requesting more allotment

3-4. What was their excuse? (16)

· “The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron, both those in Beth Shan and its settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.”

· They still argued that the hill country is not enough for them. They also said that he could not obtain the land because all the Canaanite in the land had chariots fitted with iron.

- They wanted to receive only good land that they didn’t need to work for.

- They also wanted get the land that they could get easily without difficult war.

- They didn’t have faith that they would win the land since God would fight for them.

- When they didn’t have faith in God, they were filled with spirit of complaint and unfair demanding.

- If they had had faith they could have enjoy big and good land.

3-5. How did Joshua assure them? (17, 18)

· But Joshua said to the tribes of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment ¹⁸ but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out.”

· “You are numerous and very powerful” “You will have not only one allotment”– Joshua recognized their number and strength instead of rebuking their unfair demanding. He even recognized that they deserved more allotment.

· Joshua still encouraged them to pioneer and cultivate the land promising that the land’s farthest limits would be theirs. They could get the land as much as they would clear the land.

· He also assured that they would derive out the Canaanites even though they had chariots and were strong.

- Joshua helped them to have faith in God

Conclusion

The people of Ephraim and Manasseh received large territory of the land. The five daughters of Zelophehad received land for his father’s name by claiming the land boldly based on God’s command. It is God’s blessing to have portion in the land that God promised. Joshua encouraged the people of Joseph to pioneer and conquer even difficult land by faith. God doesn’t want us to seek easy gaining. Rather he wants us to obtain what God promised by overcoming all challenges by faith. We have to expand the territory of God’s kingdom to all lands even the lands and people that are armed with chariots.

One word: YOU CAN DRIVE THEM OUT!