LIVING TO CAPACITY. Joshua 17 Two contrasting attitudes were observed in Israel regarding the settling of the promised land. Caleb took what God gave him and moved forward with enthusiasm despite his age to fulfill God’s plan for him [14:12]. He was confident that God would help him drive out the wicked inhabitants, and he would soon fully occupy his land [15:14-15]. In contrast, the two tribes of Joseph received rich land and plenty of it, but they were afraid to drive out the inhabitants and take full possession of it. Instead, they begged for more land. Joshua asked them to prove their sincerity first by clearing the unclaimed forested areas. They agreed but failed to follow through [Ju.1:27].
Having an attitude or possibly even character flaw arises when we think to ourselves, let alone say, “I am a great person.” Reflecting on how the Lord has blessed us so far does not give us a sense of entitlement. The human heart is never satisfied, and when we begin looking around and comparing ourselves to others, we make a serious mistake.
Christians who focus on their own importance and sense of dignity and authority are looking at the wrong people and in the wrong place. That leads to grumbling and complaining about our current circumstances without realizing how many privileges we have. An uncontent believer misses the best chances to serve the Lord.
In the closing section of the book of Joshua, the land was divided among the tribes by lot. The Tabernacle was set up in Shiloh, located in the center of the land. God's presence was among His people. It is the Person of our blessed Lord Jesus Christ Himself whom we worship when we gather on the Lord’s Day. We don’t worship an ordinance or a church [Mat.18:20], but we are a called-out people belonging to our Lord Jesus Christ and dedicated to Him 24/7.
When it came to claiming the land, each tribe was allotted a portion that corresponded to its position relative to the Tabernacle during the journey through the wilderness. Following that pattern, in the same way, each of us receives grace based on the gift God has given us. We haven't been given grace by God so we can match someone else’s gift. We have been placed in the body to serve as God intends and knows is best for us, for others, and for His divine purposes.
Complaints and comparisons are still common among God’s people today. The tribes of Joseph believed they were a great people and complained that they hadn’t received a portion worthy of their greatness. They boasted that past blessings through their ancestor Joseph justified a greater reward for them. They implied they were too significant for the small amount of land they were given. The Canaanites were settled in the area allocated to Joseph’s tribes, and these so-called “great people” were afraid to drive them out. They thought that because they had shared in the conquest of the land and because Joshua was from their tribe (Ephraim), they were great.
The truth was that they felt proud, which is a very different attitude from Joseph's. The Holy Spirit reveals our true selves and evaluates our worth. The true value of Christian character is not measured by church attendance, reputation in a well-known organization, or even by how much respect others may have for you. Instead, the real measure of a believer is faithfulness to the Lord and a consistent walk of holiness in life. Some complain that they don’t have enough opportunity to use their abilities and seem unhappy with their situation. They feel their circumstances oppress them and believe they should move to a place where things are less frustrating and restrictive.
What is the best way to handle complaints? Joshua essentially said, “Go to work. Cut down the trees that cover the fallow ground and use that land.” Their complaint persisted, so he told them that if they were a great people, they should use their strength to drive out the enemy from the valley. Joshua easily perceived the attitude of the people of Ephraim and Manasseh and rebuked them by telling them to go and claim what they had already been given. If they were as great as they believed, why would they need to ask for more? Instead of being men of action and integrity, they were only people of words that lacked meaning. They relied on their ancestors past greatness but failed a simple test put before them.
It is the same way with us. Remove any dead weight from your life. The obstacles we face are entirely within the Holy Spirit's power to overcome. What hinders our vision and progress? What steals our victory? Do the best you can where you are, using your strength, and let your progress reveal what it truly is. We must cry out to God, asking the Holy Spirit to empower us and increase our ability to fulfill what God has assigned to us. The more obedient, disciplined, faithful, and loyal to the Lord we are, the more we can expand and grow into what God intends.
Caleb, the brave and trustworthy old man, was thankful for his land, even though giants still roamed the area. It was near the desert where he lived, but he was content with what God had given him. He was strengthened by the Lord’s mighty hand to drive out those who didn’t belong there. He had given his daughter not only land when she married Othniel, but also water from two springs to meet their needs and irrigate their crops.
Joseph’s children, however, were of a different type. The land they received was good and was the second-largest portion given to the twelve tribes. Still, they complained about their share. They were unhappy with what they had been given. They didn’t want to work to cut down trees and clear the land for planting in fallow ground.
God has given us many blessings, and they are far too numerous to count when we stop to think about them all. Yet, they’re ours to claim without any strings attached. Nothing has been given to us by chance. God provides for all our needs, and it is our privilege and responsibility to work and make these blessings our own. Removing any obstacles that hinder our growth requires time and effort. Joy is always available to us, and the price to acquire it is easy to pay. The cost isn't high; simply obey our Lord and be guided by His word and the joy He gives us to claim.
If I am half-hearted in my response to His will, I will never enjoy all that is mine by gracious inheritance and the blessings still waiting for me to labor for. In faith, I must grasp the promises of God so my life can be full. When I go to the mountains to cut down the “wood,” I know there will be riches to be gathered from His abundant fullness.