Double Inheritance

O. T. #477  "Double Inheritance"
March 11, 2015
Joshua 16
And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer...   Joshua 16:10

LET IT GLOW

The brothers of Joseph allowed jealousy to ruin their relationship with him. Because Joseph forgave his brothers of his mistreatment, later on he saves his family from famine and brings them to Egypt, sharing all he has as second in command. We don't read of the jealousy continuing to the second generation in Jacob's family, but it could have when Joseph's two sons both receive a portion of inheritance of land.

So far, we have read of the distribution of the Promised Land to the eastern tribes of Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh, then west of the Jordan River, Caleb gets his mountain, as well as Judah receiving the largest portion of land. This chapter informs us of Ephraim's inheritance.

Here are some interesting information I found about Ephraim:

• He received his partial of ground, though it was not due to a lot being cast, but as his right, as Matthew Henry described this happening.
• Ephraim and Manasseh were both sons of Joseph, the oldest of Rachael and Jacob. A tribe was not named after Joseph, but the two were recognized as part of the nation of Israel. Jacob considered these two grandsons as his own (Gen. 48:5), so Joseph's portion was given to two tribes. It was because Joseph was the Rachael's son that he received a double portion of the inheritance of land.
• He was not the first-born son of Joseph, but the youngest, which received the blessing from Jacob (Genesis 48). Jacob crossed his hands, changing the blessing of the first-born, double portion of blessing, to Ephraim instead of Manasseh.
• Joseph and Jeroboam were of that tribe. 
• Cities of the land of Ephraim are not mentioned in this chapter, only its boundaries.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible says:

God, in bestowing His blessings upon His people, gives more to some than to others, more gifts, graces, and comforts, and more of the good things of this life. He often gives most to those that are least likely. Grace observes not the order of nature, nor does God prefer those whom we think fittest to be preferred, but as it pleases Him. It may sometimes be just and prudent to give some children portions above the rest; but a grave is that which we can most count upon as our own in this earth.

How are our relationships going these days? Especially in the family, is anything separating us?

Although no cities found in the land of Ephraim, there some places of significance:

• Ramah, the prophet Samuel's city, called Arimathea in the New Testament, of which Joseph was, the one who took care of Jesus' burial;
• Shiloh, the location where the first tabernacle was set up;
• Tirzah, the royal city of Jeroboam and his successors, as well as where Judge Deborah's palm tree under which she judged Israel;
• Samaria, built by Omri, after the burning of the royal palace of Tirzah, was there, and the royal city of the ten tribes for a long time;
• The city of Ephraim is mentioned in the book of Judges.

Also, the whole kingdom of the ten tribes is often in the prophets, especially in Hosea, called Ephraim.
[Resource: Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, Life Application Study Bible]

LET IT GROW

With all that said, the tribe of Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites from dwelling in Gezer. The took the current "easy way out" of collecting tribute from the Canaanites, but the easy way is rarely the right way. This action came back to haunt them. In fact, Gezer did not come under full Israelite control until the time of Solomon (1 Kings 9:16).   (Liberty Bible Commentary)

Why did the tribe of Ephraim not drive out the Canaanites? We are not told. Perhaps they were tired of fighting in war, or there was sin in their camp and God did not give them the victory. Just some thoughts.

This city of Gezer was given to the Kohathites. (Young's Concordance)

Now we know Judah nor Ephraim drove out the pagan Canaanites completely from their land, as they were instructed to do. This was partial obedience concerning their partial of land. Hum. Wonder what will result on down the line because of this.

LET IT GO

Count my many blessings.

Obey God's instructions and assignments completely.