Manasseh and Ephraim’s Inheritance - Joshua 16:4

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goes up from Jericho throughout mount Bethel, and goes out from Bethel to Luz, and passes along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth, and goes down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer: and the goings out thereof are at the sea”, and in chapter sixteen and verse four of Joshua we learn how, “the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance” where we read,

So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.

The verse reads, “So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “so the children of Joseph” or “wherefore, then, therefore and on this account the offspring and progeny belonging to Joseph whose name means ‘Jehovah has added’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel”, “Manasseh” whose name means “causing to forget” and was “the eldest son of Joseph and progenitor of the tribe of Manasseh”, “and Ephraim” whose name means ‘double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful’ and was “second son of Joseph, blessed by him and given preference over first son, Manasseh”. Joshua or the writer shared about the offspring belonging to “Joseph” who were “Manasseh and Ephraim”. 

 

The verse continues, “… took their inheritance.” Joshua or the writer added the word, “took” which means “received, acquired and inherited” “their inheritance” or “their, Manasseh and Ephraim’s, possession”. Joshua or the writer shared how “Joseph’s” offspring, “Manasseh and Ephraim” received their territory or possession within the promise land. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we see how the “tribe of Joseph” was divided into the two parts, “Manasseh and Ephraim”, who were his offspring. The territory within the promise land was given unto them, and although one-half of the tribe of “Manasseh” already received their inheritance within the region on the east side of the Jordan river, the remaining one-half were to receive their allotment within the promise land. God knew exactly where all of these people groups would be, and they were to live wherever their were in worship of Him. God knows our location as well, and when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way through faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord  to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and equipped with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and empower us to live according to that truth so our lives will be pleasing to Him wherever we are in the world. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8; Revelation 4:11) 

Next time we learn how, “the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus”, 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".