In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the children of Joseph spoke unto Joshua, saying, Why have you given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD has blessed me until now? And Joshua answered them, If you be a great people, then get you up to the wood country, and cut down for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for you. And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel”, and in chapter seventeen and verse seventeen of Joshua we see how Joshua said, “you are a great people, and have great power: you shall not have one lot only” where we read,
And Joshua spoke unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying,
you are a great people, and have great power: you shall not have one lot only:
The verse reads, “And Joshua spoke unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and Joshua spoke” or “and Joshua whose name means ‘Jehovah is salvation’ and was the son of Nun of the tribe of Ephraim and successor to Moses as the leader of the children of Israel; led the conquest of Canaan, uttered, declared and proclaimed” “unto the house of Joseph” which means “to the dwelling, habitation and abode belonging to Joseph whose name means Jehovah has added and was the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel”, “even to Ephraim” or “also and indeed toward Ephraim whose name means ‘double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful’ and was the second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh” “and to Manasseh” which means “and toward Manasseh whose name means ‘causing to forget’ and was the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh”, “saying” or “uttering, proclaiming and declaring” the following words. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” addressed the people belonging to the tribes of “Ephraim and Manasseh” with the following words.
The verse goes on to say, “you are a great people, and have great power: you shall not have one lot only:” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “you are a great people” which means “you, Ephraim and Manasseh, exist as an abundant and numerous amount of human beings”, “and have great power” or “and own and possess mighty strength and vigor”: “you shall not have one lot only” which means “you, Ephraim and Manasseh, will in no way or manner own or possess just a single portion alone”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joshua” told the people of “Ephraim and Manasseh” that they were a mighty and strong group of “people”, and they would in no way possess solely a single portion of land.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn how “Joshua” responded to the people of “Joseph’s” concern that they were not allowed sufficient territory for all their people. “Joshua” encouraged the descendants of “Joseph”, “Ephraim and Manasseh”, with words concerning their massive numbers and their powerful ability. They were not to settle for only a single portion of land, but would be able to secure more land for themselves. God provided for the people of “Joseph”, and He will provide for everyone who turns to Him through His Son Jesus who was sent into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the dead after three days. When we yield to Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to give us the ability to live with the power and strength He provides when we yield to Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Acts 17:28)
Next time we see how Joshua says, “the mountain shall be yours”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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