Year 7, Day 202: Joshua 17

Theological Commentary: Click Here

In Joshua 17 we continue with the allotment of the land for the people of Joseph.  Notice how many times throughout this chapter that we hear about the need to drive the Canaanites out.  This should take us back to the message that we had yesterday.

Today, though, let’s talk about why it is Joseph we hear at this point.  Remember that Joseph was the second youngest son.  Yet we hear about the allotment of Joseph’s land second to Judah, whom we heard about two days ago.  Joshua is being elevated here.

There is a reason we hear about Judah first.  The kings of Israel will come through Judah.  Christ will come through Judah.  Judah is often elevated among the sons, especially in lists like this.

Joseph is being elevated here as a memory of the faithfulness of Joseph in Egypt.  Remember that it is through Joseph’s hand that his sons were saved.  In fact, it is through Joseph’s hand that all of Egypt and the neighboring regions were brought through the famine.  The faithfulness of Joseph is absolutely being honored as the people get into the Promised Land.

This really cements home one of the overarching themes of Joshua.  Othniel was faithful because of Caleb’s example.  Caleb and Joshua are faithful because of Moses’ example.  The Hebrew people in Egypt can be faithful because of the faithful example of Joseph.  The book of Joshua is all about lifting up stories of faithfulness to God and watching them sprout and evoke a faithful response in others.

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