Context No. 2468 of 4322 · Joshua

Joshua 17:13-18: in context

13When the children of Israel had grown strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, and didn’t utterly drive them out. 14The children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given me just one lot and one part for an inheritance, since we are a numerous people, because the LORD has blessed us so far?” 15Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest, and clear land for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.” 16The children of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us. All the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both those who are in Beth Shean and its towns, and those who are in the valley of Jezreel.” 17Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph, that is, to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, “You are a numerous people, and have great power. You shall not have one lot only; 18but the hill country shall be yours. Although it is a forest, you shall cut it down, and it’s farthest extent shall be yours; for you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.”

The tribes of Joseph come to Joshua with a complaint: you gave us only one portion, and we are a large people. Joshua's answer is not more land handed over, but a challenge: if you are so numerous, go up into the forest and clear it, and drive out the Canaanites in the valley. They push back, the Canaanites there have iron chariots. Joshua repeats it: you are strong enough; the hill country and the forest will be yours, and you will drive them out, chariots and all.

They wanted a larger inheritance without the labor and the fight that came with it. Joshua does not deny their need; he tells them the room they want is available, but it has trees to fell and enemies to face, and they have the strength to do it. God's gifts are often like this, real and promised, but not simply dropped in our laps. The land was theirs to take, and taking it meant clearing forest and confronting iron chariots. The complaint asked for ease; the answer offered a task.

Am I asking God for more while unwilling to do the clearing and the fighting that claiming it would require?

Sources

Joshua 17:15: If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest, and clear land for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the Rephaim.
Joshua 17:18: the hill country shall be yours... you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.
Joshua 17:16: The hill country is not enough for us. All the Canaanites who dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron.