Why One Lot? - Joshua 17:14

In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “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”, and in chapter seventeen and verse fourteen of Joshua we learn how, “the children of Joseph spoke unto Joshua, saying, Why have you given me but one lot and one portion to inherit?” where we read,

And 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?

The verse reads, “And the children of Joseph spoke unto Joshua, saying, Why have you given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and the children of Joseph” or “and the offspring and progeny belonging to Joseph whose name means ‘Jehovah has added’ and was the eldest son of Jacob by Rachel” “spoke unto Joshua” which means “uttered, declared and proclaimed to Joshua whose name means ‘Jehovah is Salvation’ and was 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”, “saying” or “uttering, declaring, proclaiming and asking”, “why have you given me but one lot” which means “for what reason have you, Joshua, granted, bestowed and assigned to me, the offspring of Joseph, only a single retribution, recompense or portion” “and one portion to inherit” or “and a single district, territory or region to possess and receive as a heritage or share”? Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring of “Joseph” asked “Joshua” for the reason that he assigned only a single territory and region to them. 

 

The verse continues, “… seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD has blessed me until now?” Joshua or the writer added the words, “seeing I am a great people” which means “I, the children of Joseph, exist as a massive and exceedingly numerous group of human beings”, “forasmuch as the LORD” ” or “since and on account that Jehovah who is the existing One and the proper name for the One True God” “has blessed me until now” which means “has adored, congratulated and saluted me, the children of Joseph, till the current time”? Joshua or the writer shared how the offspring of “Joseph” declared themselves to be a massive amount of “people” because Jehovah God had exceedingly consecrated them unto the current time.  

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn how the offspring of “Joseph” were dissatisfied with the allotment of land they were given by “Joshua”, and they asked him the reason for giving them such a small portion since they were abundant in number. God had “blessed” and increased the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim, Joseph’s offspring, and they were in need of more space in which to live. We shall see how “Joshua” responds in our next verses, but for now let us be mindful that the offspring of “Joseph” knew Jehovah God gave them their increase. God wants us to be aware of His provision for us as well. He so loves us that He sent His Son Jesus 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 our lives 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 help us live in a manner that blesses Him and us for all the days of our lives. (See John 3:16; Psalm 1)

Next time we see how, “Joshua answered them, If you be a great people, then get you up to the wood country, and cut down for yourself”, 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".