Joshua

Joshua 16: God gives Joseph an inheritance

Begin in prayer

Before reading Joseph's inheritance, remember that Jacob took Manasseh and Ephraim as his own sons. We will hear how they received their land. Please ask God to help our family see His care for Israel and our need for Christ.

Now your two sons, who were born to you in the land of Egypt before I came to you into Egypt, are mine; Ephraim and Manasseh, even as Reuben and Simeon, will be mine.

Genesis 48:5

God of Israel, please open our eyes to Your gifts as we hear these borders. Show us Jesus, who alone saves from sin. Make us more like Him in our obedience, and bless our family with careful listening. Help us love Your Word. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

The lot for Joseph runs from the Jordan at Jericho and ends at the sea. Manasseh and Ephraim take their inheritance. The borders of Ephraim's inheritance are recorded according to its families. Cities and their villages are set apart for Ephraim within Manasseh. Ephraim does not drive out the Canaanites in Gezer, who remain and become servants doing forced labor.

As you read Joshua 16, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God gives Joseph's sons their land, though Ephraim leaves the Canaanites in Gezer.

The lot for Joseph's children ran from the Jordan at Jericho, up to Bethel, and west to the sea (verses 1 to 3). Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance (verse 4). Jacob had taken both of them as his own sons (Genesis 48 verse 5). The chapter gives Ephraim's borders and the cities set apart for it inside the land of Manasseh (verses 5 to 9). Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, and they became servants doing forced labor (verse 10). The LORD had promised to drive out the peoples who were left (Joshua 13 verse 6). The text only reports that Gezer remained.

How does Joshua 16 show us that God gives Joseph's sons their land, though Ephraim leaves the Canaanites in Gezer?

Manasseh and Ephraim take their inheritance.

Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance (verse 4). Jacob had taken both of them as his own sons (Genesis 48 verse 5). Their lot ran from the Jordan at Jericho to the sea (verses 1 to 3). Paul wrote that the Father makes His people fit to share the inheritance of the saints in light (Colossians 1 verse 12).

Ephraim receives borders and cities among Manasseh.

The chapter gives the borders of Ephraim's inheritance by its families (verse 5). Cities with their villages were set apart for Ephraim inside the land of Manasseh (verse 9). Ephraim's border ran from Ataroth Addar in the east to the sea in the west (verses 5 and 8).

Ephraim does not drive out the Canaanites in Gezer.

The Canaanites who lived in Gezer stayed in the land of Ephraim (verse 10). They became servants and did forced labor (verse 10). The LORD had promised to drive out the peoples who were left (Joshua 13 verse 6). The text reports that Gezer remained and does not say why.

Memorise

The children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.

Joshua 16:4

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what am I trusting instead of Jesus to take away my sin?

Manasseh and Ephraim took the inheritance that Joseph's family was given. Paul wrote that the Father makes His people fit for the inheritance of the saints in light (Colossians 1 verse 12). Jesus is the one who makes them fit.

No sinner is fit to share God's inheritance as he is. Jesus died on the cross for His people and bore the punishment for their sins, and it fully covers their guilt. He rose from the grave, and He reigns.

So do not trust yourself to be good enough. Turn from your sin, and trust Jesus to make you fit. Those who trust Him are forgiven, and they become heirs.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God gave Manasseh and Ephraim their land, and that Jesus makes His people fit for God's inheritance. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Thank God for the inheritance given to Joseph, and ask Him to expose the things we trust instead of Christ. Please give each child an opportunity to pray about their need for Jesus.

that being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

Titus 3:7

Lord Jesus, we need You more than land or houses. Thank You for Your perfect obedience and saving death for Your people. Please lead our family to repent and believe in You. Show us where we trust the wrong things, and help us obey Your Word. Amen.