Village Schools of the Bible

A Devotional Study of Joshua
by Max Frazier, Jr.

LOOKING FOR THE EASY ROAD
Joshua 17

In our last study we observed the confident assurance which Caleb had in God's presence and help in the conquest of Hebron. Chapters fifteen and sixteen of Joshua describe more allocations of the land to the various tribes, particularly to Judah and to Ephraim. There are two verses in these chapters which cause us to understand that all is not going well with the complete conquest of the land by the individual tribes.

We read in Joshua 15:63 that Judah could not dislodge the Jebusites who were living in Jerusalem. And, in Joshua 16:10, the statement is made that the people of Ephraim could not dislodge the Canaanites who were living in Gezer. Although the later served in slavery to the Ephraimites, the very continued existence of the Canaanites marked an area of disobedience on the part of Ephraim, for God had commanded each of the tribal groups to totally destroy those nations which inhabited the land.

As I read those verses, I am reminded of my need for total obedience to the will of God. As one writer has put it: partial obedience to God is disobedience to God.

Now, let us turn our attention to the inheritance which was given to that part of the tribe of Manasseh who had chosen to live on the west side of the Jordan River. After receiving their allotment, the tribal leaders go to Joshua and complain that they needed more land (see verse 14). Joshua agreed with them, but he did not go back and redistribute the lands already conquered. Instead, he told them to go into the surrounding forested hillsides and conquer the cities there (see verse 15).

But the families of Manasseh replied that it would be too much work as the cities were well fortified. The task was too hard. Their attitude was "We can't do it!" And so, they did not proceed into the hill country even after Joshua reassured them that God would enable them to drive out the enemy.

"I can't do it. We can't do it. It is too hard. We have not done it before." How many times do we respond to ministry opportunities with those words, the very same words which the leaders of Manasseh used with Joshua. Why are we always looking for the easy road? Why do we always want everything to be quick and simple? If anything of significance is to be accomplished for God, then it will take lots of work.

But, as Joshua encouraged the families of Manasseh, so God encourages us. With His help and His promises, let us press forward to seize each opportunity for Him.

Father, we have grown lazy in our Christian walk. We no longer attempt the difficult things because we have forgotten Your rich promises to us. The ease and the conveniences which our society has given to us has carried over into our Christian life. We want simple Bible studies. We want formulamatic prayer times. We want "how-to" seminars to give us all the answers to life. Lord, we have forgotten that You have called us to be "cross-bearers" and that is not a pleasant or easy responsibility. Remove the word "can't" from our vocabulary and replace it with "I can through Christ". For it is in His name we pray. Amen.

Joshua 14 Return to Table of Contents Joshua 18-19