Title [Joshua 17:14-18]
Joshua chapters 16 and 17 record the land given to the children of Joseph. Among them, the text introduces the unbelieving words and deeds of Joseph's descendants and Joshua's spiritual leadership. I hope this will be a blessed time for you to reflect on yourself and receive grace by introducing this verse under the title of “a person of complete faith.”
1. The Unbelieving Words and Behaviors of the Descendants of Joseph
In the process of receiving the land, Joseph's descendants, Ephraim and Manasseh, expressed various complaints. God blessed us and made a great nation, but it is not fair to allow one portion with one lot. Then they demanded more land.
① Not being self-sufficient is unbelief. Paul said, “I have learned to be content in all circumstances” (Philippians 4:11). However, many believers do not know how to be self-sufficient even though they say they are living a life of faith. There are so many people who live a life of dissatisfaction. because of greed. “When lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:15), warning James, “But each one is tempted because his own desires are drawn away and deceived” (James 1). :14). We must cast away our greed so that we do not fall into temptation. Let's not be greedy any longer, but let's become the saints who give thanks for the grace given to us. Jesus also said in Luke 12:15, “Beware of all covetousness, for a man's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” I hope that we will not complain about the various graces that God has given to each of us, but become full believers who give thanks in everything.
② Disobeying God's commands and not being faithful to one's duties is unbelief. God commanded that the Canaanites be driven out of the land. But the children of Joseph disobeyed God's command. It is disloyalty to the job. Jos 16:10 says, “Because they did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, the Canaanites lived in Ephraim to this day and became enslaved servants.” They could not drive them out, so the Canaanites were determined to live in the land.” Both Ephraim and Manasseh were disobedient. We need to reflect on whether such unbelieving behavior is also present in us.
I hope that all of us who disobey orders by giving various excuses, repent of our insincerity in our duties, and repent. From now on, I hope that you will become upright believers who will be praised as good and faithful servants by obediently obeying the Word and faithfully performing your duties.
③ I had negative thoughts and a passive attitude in everything. This too is unbelief. Joshua told them to pioneer themselves in response to their demands. But they said that it was impossible to conquer the Canaanites living in the forests and valleys because they had iron chariots (16). People without faith are always passive. I have negative thoughts. They can never be pioneered. The land cannot be conquered. Proverbs 22:13 says, “The sluggard says, A lion is outside, and if I go out, I will be torn in the streets.” We hope that we will become saints who are always pioneering the wasteland with a positive and active attitude, just like people of complete faith.
2. Joshua showed leadership with complete faith
In any gathering, there are bound to be people who complain and become dissatisfied because their faith is not perfect. Moses suffered a lot because of the problem, but Joshua also suffered a lot because of these people. It cannot be denied that there are many saints like Joseph's descendants in the church today. At this time, spiritual leadership is needed.
①I expressed sympathy for their argument (15.17). In fact, Joseph's descendants were distributed without any lack in quantity or quality compared to other tribes. They were given a large and fertile land in the central region of Israel, and half of Manasseh was not in a position to be dissatisfied because they had already been allocated land from the east of the Jordan. However, Joshua did not reprove them or reject them by calculating them. He embraced them generously, showed empathy, and calmed them down. A spiritual leader should be like this.
② He instilled confidence and encouraged him that he was able to conquer (18). “You are able to drive him out,” he said. In fact, Israel's conquest of Canaan was not due to their strength or ability, but because God was with them. Joshua's encouragement and conviction contained this allusion. It is not the attitude of a spiritual leader to revuke and discourage those who are weak in faith. It is leadership that encourages, reassures, and helps to stand up courageously. Let's take a look at ourselves again. Now, let's get rid of unbelieving thoughts, words, and actions. Let's live the life of a complete believer. At that time, all things will be blessed and prosperous.