Joshua 17:13-18: a reflection

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.”

When the tribes of Joseph complain that they have been given too little land for so numerous a people, Joshua does not simply give them more; he tells them to rise to the work before them. If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest, and clear land for yourself there. And when they protest that the Canaanites in the valley have iron chariots, Joshua answers: You are a numerous people, and have great power; you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong. He calls them not to complain, but to use what God has given them and take hold of what was possible.

Notice Joshua's answer to their complaint: rise to the work, and use what God has given you. The tribes had complained of too little, and pointed to the obstacles, the iron chariots, the strong Canaanites. But Joshua did not accept the complaint or the excuse; he told them they were numerous and had great strength, and could clear the forest and drive out the Canaanites, obstacles and all. Rather than complain or make excuses, they were to rise to the work, use the strength God had given them, and take hold of what was possible. There was more available to them than they had claimed, if they would rise to it.

That is worth taking to heart, for we too can complain or make excuses rather than rising to the work and possibilities God gives us. We can complain that we have too little, point to the obstacles, and make excuses, rather than using the strength and resources God has given us to take hold of what is possible; but Joshua told the tribes to rise to the work, use their strength, and overcome the obstacles. Do not merely complain or make excuses, pointing to the obstacles; rise to the work God gives you, using the strength and resources he has provided to take hold of what is possible. Use what God has given you and rise to the work before you, rather than complaining of too little or excusing yourself by the obstacles, as Joshua told the tribes of Joseph to clear the forest and drive out the Canaanites with the strength God had given them; for there is often more available to us than we claim, if we will rise to the work rather than complain and excuse.

Lord, when the tribes of Joseph complain that they have been given too little land for so numerous a people, Joshua does not simply give them more; he tells them to rise to the work before them. If you are a numerous people, go up to the forest, and clear land for yourself there. And when they protest that the Canaanites have iron chariots, Joshua answers: you are a numerous people, and have great power; you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong. He calls them not to complain, but to use what you have given them. Show me Joshua's answer to their complaint: rise to the work, and use what God has given you. The tribes had complained of too little, and pointed to the obstacles. But Joshua did not accept the complaint or the excuse; he told them they had great strength, and could clear the forest and drive out the Canaanites, obstacles and all. Rather than complain or make excuses, they were to rise to the work. There was more available to them than they had claimed, if they would rise to it. Take that to my heart, for I too can complain or make excuses rather than rising to the work and possibilities you give me. I can complain that I have too little, point to the obstacles, and make excuses, rather than using the strength and resources you have given me; but Joshua told the tribes to rise to the work. Keep me from merely complaining or making excuses; help me rise to the work you give me, Lord, using the strength and resources you have provided to take hold of what is possible.