More often that not, with tight fisted hands, we hold on for dear life what does not give life at all.  We hold on to things for the temporary pleasure they give until the newness fades and the excitement of owning it disappears.  We hold on to ideas that are dreamed only from a human perspective and later prove unreliable and untrue.  We hold on to what we think we want and should have until we see that what we cling to is hurting us and costs what we can no longer pay.  We hold on to pride which drives our need to please of what others which exhaust us completely of all that is in us. We cling to the false assumption that we can force or cajole a fickle humanity to love us by what we do for them.  We hold on to wanting more; more land, money, and notoriety with the goal to gain more influence and importance in this world. 

All we hold on to in this world is not God’s ultimate best for us in His world of love, mercy, and grace.  What God offers is peace and calm with power and strength to overcome in the middle of stormy conditions and circumstances beyond our control. 

The Promised Land was given to the Israelites after setting them free from the bondage of slavery to the Egyptians.  God gave His people a new beginning with borders.  God gave commands with purpose for their protection.  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul.  Love others like you love yourself.  Let go of all manmade idols and worship God, your God alone.  But they still could not let go of everything. When they did not let go; it did not go well for them.  God knew. God still loved His created.

Joshua 16-17

Allotment for Ephraim and Manasseh

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), 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.

17 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.

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.”

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.”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

We learn that all this history of Joshua of how the promised lands were allotted and taken hold of are setting the stage for God’s greatest Promise!  Later, God informs His prophets to tell of The Promise of all times that is to come! 

The Promise was His Son, Jesus, the Messiah, “the one who would save all people from all nations from all their sins.”  God spoke through his raised-up prophets, telling His people to get ready for a suffering, compassionate Savior who would be the once and for all sacrifice for all the sins of the world.  Only a remnant believed what God said, however. Fortunately, our unfaithfulness did and does not stop a faithful Father who loves us! It is a good thing that God is God and does what He says regardless of what mankind currently thinks or does! 

Jesus came to an oppressed people with great need.  Jesus was, is, and is to come the promise of eternal life but we must let go of our grip on the life we have created.  We cannot hold death in one hand and life in the other.  We must take hold with all that is in us and get a firm grip on the Promise who set us free from our sins and gave us full access to the very throne of our Creator, God. Jesus fully explained the lose to gain life when He came and walked with humanity, specifically his disciples in training;

• “Those who try to gain their own life will lose it; but those who lose their life for my sake will gain it.” Matthew 10:39
• “For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for my sake, you will find it.” Matthew 16:25
• “For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it; but if you lose your life for me and for the gospel, you will save it.” Mark 8:35
• For if you want to save your own life, you will lose it, but if you lose your life for my sake, you will save it.” Luke 9:24
• Those who love their own life will lose it; those who hate their own life in this world will keep it for life eternal.” John 12:25

When God/Jesus/Holy Spirit repeats a commanding truth; it is important for us to listen, trust, and obey!  Jesus did not seek to have earthly power like the Pharisees and Sadducees. He sought to build a kingdom that would last into eternity. He told his followers that by giving their lives to him, they would find true life.

“Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise.” Hebrews 10:23

Need Courage?

Could you use some courage today?  I could!  Are we backing down more than we’re standing up? If so, let Jesus, The Promise, lead us up the mountain again. Let Him remind us why we should “fear not”, worry less, and trust more. Earthly fears are no fears at all. All the mystery is revealed. We can be assured our final destination is guaranteed. Jesus answered the big question of eternity, so that the little questions of life fall into perspective. This is LIFE to the full for a believer and follower of Jesus! So, get a grip!

Lord,

Cleanse my heart of all that is not of you.  Renew my mind.  Transform my thinking and behaviors.  Refresh my soul with your tender, new mercies for today.  Restore the joy of your salvation at work within me.  For only when I let go of my control am I able to get a firm grip on you.  Then your peace comes and abides in all circumstances.  I trust you, dear Jesus!

In Jesus Name, Amen