Is It Ever Enough?

O. T. #478 "Is It Ever Enough?"
March 12, 2015
Joshua 17
And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto?   Joshua 17:14

LET IT GLOW

Is it ever enough? Why do I think that I need more money, house, land, automobiles, possessions?
Yet I don't think I have enough of God in our life, His Word and instructions, His chiseling away of my imperfections, grace and mercy? Yep! I figure that I am not alone in this.

The half tribe of Manasseh was given land west of the Jordan River. Its boundaries are mentioned at the beginning of this chapter.
The land was given to them by God-here it is, go get it, and by the way, drive out those Canaanites. Yet the tribes of the two sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh, were not satisfied with their allotment of land. Their excuse was that they were so numerous, which was true. The tribe of Joseph outnumbered the rest, except for the tribe of Judah (Numbers 1 and 26). They needed, deserved, expected, whatever, more land than what they received.

Are we content with what God has allotted to us? How often are we thankful for what we have?


LET IT GROW

The Ephraimites were notorious complainers (Judges 8:1-3; 12:1-6). It cost them 42,000 men later.

Liberty Bible Commentary explains:

Joshua chided them not to complain, but to get thee up to the wood country, and cut down...if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee. Joshua's sarcasm was directed at those who wanted their inheritance simply handed to them, those who would not work for it. Their complaint that the Canaanites who dwell in the valley have chariots of iron apparently fell on deaf ears. Joshua simply encouraged them that they indeed were a great people and would not just have one portion but the mountain shall be thine. All they had to do was clear the forest and drive out the Canaanites.

If the trees were cut down, then their enemy could not hide behind a tree while trying to kill them.
Also, they could use the land if the trees were cut down. It seemed like a logical answer. Their complaining did not gain them any more land. Did you notice that the mentioning of the chariots of iron did change Joshua's mind?

So Manassites opted for making the peoples of the land forced laborers. Like the tribes of Judah and Ephraim, Manasseh did not drive out the Canaanites either.
Oh me. Do we want more without using what we have?

LET IT GO

Be happy with what I have and use it for God's glory.

Stop complaining.