“Joshua said to them, ‘If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest and clear a place for yourself there in the land…’” (Joshua 17:15)
The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh came with a complaint that they needed more room. Joshua gave them a job instead. If you want more land, go get more land. Historically, God has never been a big fan of complaining. Grumbling isn’t productive, and God made us for dominion, not helplessness (see Genesis 1:26).
When you have a complaint in your marriage, your job, your congregation, or any other arena – find the work and do something about it. You aren’t helpless. You were made to shape the world.
Bonus verse – compare Joshua’s response to the Ephraimite complaint to what the tribe of Dan does in Joshua 19.
“The territory of the sons of Dan proceeded beyond them, for the sons of Dan went up and fought…” (Joshua 19:47)
Matthew 4:4 #Biblebites
This Week’s Reading: Joshua 15-24; Psalm 25; Proverbs 25
This year, #Biblebites are looking at lessons from the history of the Old Testament. Each week reads a section of history with a Psalm to meditate on and a dash of Proverbs to dwell upon. If you would like a copy of the reading schedule, you can view it here: https://eastlandchristians.org/news-events/2024-vision