In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “Manasseh had in Issachar and in Asher Bethshean and her towns, and Ibleam and her towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Endor and her towns, and the inhabitants of Taanach and her towns, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and her towns, even three countries. Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land”, and in chapter seventeen and verse thirteen of Joshua we learn what happened, “when the children of Israel were waxen strong” where we read,
Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong,
that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but did not utterly drive them out.
The verse reads, “Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “yet it came to pass” or “thus and still the following happened and occurred”, “when the children of Israel” which means “at the time and moment the offspring and progeny belonging to Israel whose name means ‘God prevails’ and is the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob” “were waxen strong” or “existed as hardened, courageous, firm and resolute” the following happened. Joshua or the writer shared how the following happened at the time the offspring of “Israel” became firm and courageous.
The verse goes on to say, “… that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but did not utterly drive them out.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “that they put the Canaanites to tribute” which means “that they, the offspring of Israel, set, bestowed, appointed and designated labor, tasks, tributary and forced service on the Canaanites whose name means ‘zealous’ and were the descendants of the inhabitants of Canaan”: “but did not utterly drive them out” or “however, nonetheless, notwithstanding and moreover were unable to completely and with finality seize, dispossess, disinherit and occupy the Canaanites”. Joshua or the writer said the people of “Israel” caused the “Canaanites” to labor in forced service, however, they were unable to remove them from their land.
When we think through the words in this verse, we see how the people of “Israel” became firm and resolute which caused them to force the “Canaanites” into servile labor, however, they were not able to completely remove them from the land. We shall see how this would later cause them great difficulties, but for now we can use this act as a reminder that God wants all pagan means and activities to be removed from our lives. (See 2 Chronicles 8:7-8) God sent His Only Begotten Son Jesus into the world to die on the cross for the sins of all mankind and to be raised from the grave after three days. When we surrender our lives to Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and equip us with His Holy Spirit who will guide us into all truth and purify us from all sinful and unrighteous activities that He exposes within in us. (See John 3:16: 16:13; Acts 1:8; 1 John 1:9)
Next time we see how, “the children of Joseph spoke unto Joshua, saying, Why have you given me but one lot and one portion to inherit”, 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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