Josué 17
Charles Spurgeon · Citado em PreceptAustin
Josué 17
Spurgeon - Excerpt from "The Lord Hath Blessed" - Joshua 17:14 “Forasmuch as the Lord hath blessed me hitherto.”—Joshua 17:14. IT is not an easy task to divide land amongst different claimants. Joshua divided Canaan with strict impartiality. He was a man of God, and he was also shrewdly wise, as you may gather from many of his speeches. But, for all that, he could not satisfy everybody. He who would please all attempts the impossible. God himself is quarrelled with. If it be the design of providence to please men, it is a melancholy failure. Do we not find men everywhere dissatisfied with their portions? This man would like his lot if it were not where it is, and that man would be perfectly satisfied if he had a little more. One would be contented with what he has if he could keep it always, while another would be more pleased if life could be shortened. There is no pleasing men. We are like the sons of Joseph in the chapter before us, ready to complain of our inheritance. It should not be so. We who have pined in the wilderness of sin should rejoice that we have entered the land of promise, and we ought to be glad to have a portion among the people of the Lord. Contentment should be natural to those who are born of the Spirit of God; yea, we ought to go beyond contentment, and cry, “Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits.” Brethren, the best advice that I can give to each man among you is, that he should endeavour to make the best of the portion which God has given him: for, after all, Joshua had not arbitrarily appointed Ephraim and Manasseh their lots, but they had fallen to them by the decree of God. Their portions had been marked out by a higher hand than Joshua’s long before. You and I ought to believe that— “There’s a divinity that shapes our ends, Rough-hew them how we will.” Cut Wood Joshua 17:14–18 - Roger Campbell - Preach for a Year: 104 Sermon Outlines I. Introduction A. Joshua the Conquering Captain 1. Joshua in charge after Moses died 2. Moses stands for the Law 3. Joshua a type of Christ (John 1:17) B. Joshua Dividing Canaan 1. Each tribe receiving its portion 2. Canaan pictures the Christian life 3. We have battles to win; territory to conquer C. The Tribe of Joseph Receives Its Land 1. The largest of the tribes 2. The tribe from which Joshua came II. Body A. The Complaint of the Tribe of Joseph (v. 14) 1. “Why … only one lot?” a. They thought their lot too small b. They thought they deserved better 2. The pride in their protest: a. “I am a great people” b. Even used the Lord’s name to complain 3. Many Christians are not content a. “The church doesn’t recognize my talent” b. “Why can’t I have that position?” c. They complain constantly 4. Godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Tim. 6:6–8) B. The Counsel of Joshua (v. 15) 1. Joshua tells them to cut wood 2. Now the truth comes out a. Clearing the land will take work b. The tribe doesn’t want the job 3. Lessons for us from this griping group a. Salvation by faith but work follows (Eph. 2:8–10) b. Reaching our potential requires work 4. What are you doing to develop your lot? C. The Chariots of Iron (v. 16) 1. The enemy is strong (Satan) 2. We are at war with powerful forces (Eph. 6:12–18) 3. We are equipped to win a. We have the armor of God (Eph. 6) b. We have the Holy Spirit (1 John 4:4) 4. The chariots of iron were a distant threat (v. 16) a. They needed to cut that wood first b. Then they could defeat the iron chariots (v. 18) III. Conclusion A. Let Us Serve God Where We Are … Now B. He Will Give Strength to Work and Win Each Day Joshua 17:15 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 of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you." If you are a numerous people: Lu 12:48 the Perizzites: Ge 13:7 Ex 33:2 Ezr 9:1 giants: or, Rephaims, Ge 14:5 15:20 2Sa 5:18,22 JOSHUA CHALLENGES THEIR COMPLAINT Joshua said to them - Notice Joshua's "tactic" -- since their rationale was that they were too numerous, he turns that around on them. It is like he is saying since you are so numerous like you claim, then use that numerical advantage against the adversaries. As their subsequent reply demonstrates, this is not what they wanted to hear! "If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you - Joshua challenges the legitimacy of their complaint by telling them to occupy the forested area (with trees and people "like trees"). Giants were no challenge for those with a "Caleb-like" faith, for he had no fear of the giant Anakim (Joshua 14:12). The sons of Joseph also need to remember that Israel enabled by God had already defeated one giant Rephaite king, Og king of Bashan (Joshua 12:4+). Life Application Study Bible - Notice the two contrasting attitudes toward settling the Promised Land: Caleb took what God gave him and moved ahead to fulfill God’s plan for him (Joshua 14:12). He was confident that God would help him drive out the wicked inhabitants and that he would soon fully occupy his land (Joshua 15:14, 15). In contrast, the two tribes of Joseph were given rich land and lots of it, but they were afraid to drive out the inhabitants and take full possession of it. Instead, they begged for more land. But Joshua asked them to prove their sincerity first by clearing the unclaimed forest areas. They agreed, but they failed to carry through (Jdg 1:27). Related Resource Who were the Rephaim? Thompson - According to the census taken in Numbers 26, Ephraim had 32,500 (26:37) and Manasseh had 52,700 (26:34). Neither group was happy with their allotment. They all wanted more land. So Joshua says, “fine,” you want it, you have it–you take for yourself the forest area and clear it and live in it (Josh. 17:15). John G Butler - Sermon Starters Volume #4 - PROVE YOUR TALK Joshua 17:15 “And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee” (Joshua 17:15). Our text comes in a context which speaks of the dividing and settling of the land of Canaan by the Israelites. It was not a good performance, the enemy was not totally drive out of the land and many of the Israelites were complaining about their allotment. They often wanted an easier allotment that would not be difficult to settle. FIRST—THE PROBLEM OF GREATNESS “And Joshua answered them.” Our text concerns a complaint brought to Joshua by the tribe of Joseph (particularly the Ephraimites) that their allotment was too hard and because they were a “great” people (in number or rank or both) they should be given a better allotment. Joshua was in charge of the dividing of the land so he would also be the one to whom the discontent would criticize. Sometimes we envy people in high position, but if we knew what they had to put up with in that position we would not envy them so much. So it was with Joshua. He had a heady position but some of the territory that went with the position was not so nice. Listening to and trying to solve the complaints of dissidents has never been an enviable task. Especially was it a pain in the neck to have to deal with. The problem of Ephraimites was that they thought they were better than they were. SECOND—THE PROFESSION OF GREATNESS “If thou art a great people.” The Ephraimites had complained that since they were a great people, they should get a better allotment. This sort of claim comes from people who think more highly of themselves than they ought (Romans 12:3). It is the complaint that wants recognition but not responsibility. They wanted privilege but not the requirements that went with the privilege. They wanted greatness but did not want to put out a great effort to achieve it. They wanted a pay increase but did not show much interest in a production increase. There kind is not extinct but still plagues society and the church. This shows up at school in those who think they should be on the team who do not qualify because their performance is deficient and in those who think they should get a better grades but do not qualify because their test scores do not even justify the grade they are given. THIRD—THE PERFORMANCE OF GREATNESS “Cut down for thyself in the land of … the giants.” Joshua called the bluff of the Ephraimites. If they were so great than let them show it by a “great” performance. If you think you are so great don’t go around demanding recognition. Show you greatness in your performance. True greatness is not as concerned about recognition as it is about performance. The Ephraimites need to match their talk with their walk. Such action needs to be ours too. Joshua 17:16 The sons of Joseph said, "The hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the valley land have chariots of iron, both those who are in Beth-shean and its towns and those who are in the valley of Jezreel." chariots: Jos 17:18 Jdg 1:19 4:3 Beth-shean: Jos 17:11 1Ki 4:12 valley of Jezreel: Jos 19:18 Jdg 6:33 1Ki 4:12 18:46 21:1,23 2Ki 9:10,37 Ho 1:4,5 Map to help visualize descriptions of boundaries of Manasseh Zondervan Atlas of the Bible: C. Rasmussen INSTEAD OF THANKSGIVING THEY ARE COMPLAINING The sons of Joseph said, "The hill country is not enough for us - Click this map and note the hills north of the designation "JUDAH" to give you a good sense of where the hill country was located. Now the sons of Joseph begin with excuses, giving two reasons they are not receptive of Joshua's "hill country" proposal! First, the "hill country" was not sufficient, even though it was given by divine lot. Perhaps God did not realize that He had short-changed the sons of Joseph! (Being sarcastic of course). All uses of hill country in Number through Judges (conquering the land) - Num. 13:17; Num. 13:29; Num. 14:40; Num. 14:44; Num. 14:45; Deut. 1:7; Deut. 1:19; Deut. 1:20; Deut. 1:24; Deut. 1:41; Deut. 1:43; Deut. 1:44; Deut. 2:37; Deut. 3:12; Deut. 3:25; Jos. 2:16; Jos. 2:22; Jos. 2:23; Jos. 9:1; Jos. 10:6; Jos. 10:40; Jos. 11:2; Jos. 11:3; Jos. 11:16; Jos. 11:21; Jos. 12:8; Jos. 13:6; Jos. 14:12; Jos. 15:48; Jos. 16:1; Jos. 17:15; Jos. 17:16; Jos. 17:18; Jos. 18:12; Jos. 19:50; Jos. 20:7; Jos. 21:11; Jos. 21:21; Jos. 24:30; Jos. 24:33; Jdg. 1:9; Jdg. 1:19; Jdg. 1:34; Jdg. 2:9; Jdg. 3:27; Jdg. 4:5; Jdg. 7:24; Jdg. 10:1; Jdg. 12:15; Jdg. 17:1; Jdg. 17:8; Jdg. 18:2; Jdg. 18:13; Jdg. 19:1; Jdg. 19:16; Jdg. 19:18; Here is the second (AND PROBABLY MAIN) reason the sons of Israel did not like Joshua's proposal... And all the Canaanites who live in the valley land have chariots of iron, both those who are in Beth-shean and its towns and those who are in the valley of Jezreel (picture of modern Jezreel Valley) - Chariots of iron would only be effective in flat areas. This use of iron was a new development. Israel did not employ chariots until much later until the time of Solomon (1Ki 9:22; 1Ki 10:26–29). Now they are beginning to sound a bit like the 10 spies who felt they were "grasshoppers" compared to the Canaanites (Nu 13:33+). They needed to remember the words Moses told them in Dt 11:4+ (they had no excuse, for they had all heard these words!) describing what God "did to Egypt's army, to its horses and its chariots" (Dt 11:4+)! Their memory of God's power and provision was very short (THAT NEVER HAPPENS TO US DOES IT BELOVED?!!!). They were walking by sight, not by faith (2Co 5:7). They were looking at the fearsome iron chariots and not the fearful Captain of the Lord's Host (Josh 5:13-15+). In short, they had (in Old Testament sense) taken their eyes off of Jesus (the Captain). Fear set in and drowned out faith. Kenneth Gangel that the people of Joseph "also added complaint to compromise and complacency. The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh were not content. They had a problem. They thought that because of their size they deserved more land. Joshua told them to clear some forest land and settle there. But they complained that the forest lands wouldn't work because this would put them too close to Canaanites with iron chariots. And we thought entitlement programs were an invention of the late twentieth century! These tribes didn't want to work or fight for their land. They wanted something given to them. Their complaining and fear got in the way of their blessing. Have you ever complained to God that he is not doing enough for you? Lord Congelton once overheard a servant say, "If only I had five pounds, I would be perfectly content." He gave her five pounds and then heard her say, "Why didn't I ask for ten pounds?" (ED: IS THIS NOT A PERFECT ILLUSTRATION OF OUR FALLEN FLESH....GIVE ME, GIVE ME, GIVE ME?) (Holman Old Testament Commentary - Joshua) Note that Megiddo and the valley of Jezreel (Valley of Esdraelon) had some of the best agricultural land in the area but it was "protected" by iron chariots (see this picture of the modern fruitful Jezreel Valley and also region of Megiddo). In the map above locate the upper border of Manasseh [western half-tribe] for the locations of Megiddo and the Jezreel valley. Jezreel - Holman Bible Dictionary meaning “God sows” (OR "GOD SCATTERS"), refers to a major valley, a northern city, a southern city, and the son of Hosea 1:1 . The Old Testament uses the name to refer to the entire valley of Jezreel which separates Galilee from Samaria, including the valley of Esdraelon. The valley was important militarily as a battle site for Deborah (Judges 4-5), Gideon (Judges 6-7), Saul (2 Samuel 4:1), Jehu (2 Kings 9-10), and Josiah (2 Kings 22:1 ). The geography of Palestine made Jezreel a major route for travel from north to south and from east to west. 2. The northern city of Jezreel, which guarded the corridor to Beth-shan, was the site of the royal residence of Omri and Ahab where the incident of Naboth's vineyard occurred (1 Kings 21:1). 3. David's wife Ahinoam was from the southern city of Jezreel which is located in the vicinity of Ziph (1 Samuel 25:43-44 ). 4 . The prophet Hosea named his son Jezreel as a symbol to indicate the evil nature of the dynasty of Jehu which began with much bloodshed in Jezreel. The name also symbolized that God will sow seeds of prosperity after the destruction (Hosea 1:4-5; Hosea 1:10-2:1). Robert Street Related Resource: What is the meaning of Jezreel? | GotQuestions.org What is the significance of Megiddo in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org
Josué 17
Spurgeon - Faith's Checkbook -Joshua 17:18 - Divine Expulsion - (See similar topic - Expulsive Power of a New Affection). IT is a great encouragement to valour to be assured of victory, for then a man goes forth to war in confidence, and ventures where else he had been afraid to go. Our warfare is with evil within us and around us, and we ought to be persuaded that we are able to get the victory, and that we shall do so in the name of the Lord Jesus. We are not riding for a fall, but to win; and win we shall. The grace of God in its omnipotence is put forth for the overthrow of evil in every form: hence the certainty of triumph. Certain of our sins find chariots of iron in our constitution, our former habits, our associations and our occupations. Nevertheless we must overcome them. They are very strong, and in reference to them we are very weak; yet in the name of God we must master them, and we will (ED: YES, BUT ONLY AS WE ARE SUPERNATURALLY ENABLED BY THE SPIRIT - See Romans 8:13+). If one sin has dominion of us we are not the Lord’s free men (cf Ro 6:12-14+). A man who is held by only one chain is still a captive. There is no going to heaven with one sin ruling within us, for of the saints it is said, “Sin shall not have dominion over you.” Up, then, and slay every Canaanite, and break to shivers every chariot of iron! (cf Col 3:5+) The Lord of hosts is with us, and who shall resist His sin-destroying power? Streams in the Desert - “The hill country shall be thine.” (Josh. 17:18, R. V.) THERE is always room higher up. When the valleys are full of Canaanites, whose iron chariots withstand your progress, get up into the hills, occupy the upper spaces. If you can no longer work for God, pray for those who can. If you cannot move earth by your speech, you may move Heaven. If the development of life on the lower slopes is impossible, through limitations of service, the necessity of maintaining others, and such-like restrictions, let it break out toward the unseen, the eternal, the Divine. Faith can fell forests. Even if the tribes had realized what treasures lay above them, they would hardly have dared to suppose it possible to rid the hills of their dense forest-growth. But as God indicated their task, He reminded them that they had power enough. The visions of things that seem impossible are presented to us, like these forest-covered steeps, not to mock us, but to incite us to spiritual exploits which would be impossible unless God had stored within us the great strength of His own indwelling. Difficulty is sent to reveal to us what God can do in answer to the faith that prays and works. Are you straitened in the valleys? Get away to the hills, live there; get honey out of the rock, and wealth out of the terraced slopes now hidden by forest.—Daily Devotional Commentary. Got any rivers they say are uncrossable, Got any mountains they say ‘can’t tunnel through’? We specialize in the wholly impossible, Doing the things they say you can’t do. —Song of the Panama builders. F B