Blogging Bible Study: Joshua 16:1 -17:18 -- The Inheritance of Joseph

Posted by Lisa Laree to Beer Lahai Roi

Joseph, the favored son of Jacob/Israel, received a double portion inheritance among the people of Israel: the descendants of both his sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, received separate territory just as if they themselves had been sons of Jacob.  They pretty much split the land directly west of the Jordan, all the way to the Mediterranean, plus the allotment for half of the tribe of Manasseh on the east side of the Jordan, with the Reubenites and the Gadites.

But it wasn't described that way in the beginning, even though they were clearly divided into two portions, 16:1 describes it as 'the allotment for Joseph'.  That's certainly how the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh saw it, despite the fact that the two of them together occupied more territory than any other of the tribes, they complained to Joshua that it wasn't enough.

'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."  (17:14).

Joshua didn't argue with them.  He pointed them at some unclaimed land and said, 'Fine.  You can clear and claim that.'

That brought out a pout. 
'The hill country is not enough, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have iron chariots.'  (17:16a).

Quite a contrast from Caleb's declarations in chapter 14, eh?

So Joshua wasn't having it; he reminded them of 1) their statement that they were numerous and 2) the ability given to the Israelites.

'You are numerous and very powerful.  You will have not only one allotment but the forested hill country as well.  Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours; though the Canaanites have iron chariots and though they are strong, you can drive them out.' (17:18)

There are some other points in this passage that are worth discussing...the inheritance of the daughters of Zelophehad, the failure to completely drive out the pagan people from the territory...but I want to focus on this, the difference in attitude between Caleb and the children of Joseph.

Notice...they both came to Joshua asking for land.  They were both given land under the same conditions...that they clear it of the current inhabitants and remove the pagan influence.  Caleb said '..the LORD helping me, I will drive them out just as he said.'  The children of Joseph whined 'but they have iron chariots!'

Watch the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh throughout the history of Israel as you read through the rest of the books of history.  This is a shadow of things to come.  The attitude doesn't just reflect the current generation, but it propagates on down.  The chip on the shoulder of the children of Joseph never really goes away.

That's a sobering lesson.  The seeds of division that will eventually rip the country in two are actually visible here, with the attitude of what certainly appears to be entitlement...the children of Joseph wanted their inheritance handed to them.  They didn't want to have to go out and earn it themselves.

Why did they have that attitude?  What was the root of that?  Hard to say at this point...but it may have something to do with whatever happened when the house of Joseph left the capital and made their home among the Hebrews in Goshen.  We don't know when that happened, but it had to be a difficult transition.  Joseph was second in command in Egypt; his boys grew up privileged.  At some point, that privilege was lost...they were numbered with the Hebrews by the time Moses showed up.  But there may have been smoldering resentment...or even just the expectation of it...and resulting offense that still remained all the generations later.

A true reminder to resolve any such issues before they get rooted in the next generation.