📖 Then the two tribes of Joseph came to Joshua and asked, “Why have you given us only one portion of land when the Lord has given us such large populations?”
“If the hill country of Ephraim is not large enough for you,” Joshua replied, “and if you are able to do it, you may clear out the forest land where the Perizzites and Rephaim live.”
“Fine,” said the tribes of Joseph, “for the Canaanites in the lowlands around Beth-shean and the valley of Jezreel have iron chariots and are too strong for us.”
“Then you shall have the mountain forests,” Joshua replied, “and since you are such a large, strong tribe you will surely be able to clear it all and live there. And I’m sure you can drive out the Canaanites from the valleys, too, even though they are strong and have iron chariots.”
—Joshua 17:14-18 The Living Bible
The two tribes mentioned believed that they deserved more because of their large numbers. They were attempting to use their numbers as leverage to get more land. Joshua used their numbers to challenge them. He believed that they should take advantage of their numbers and use them to get more land if they really believed they needed more than what was given them. They were to use their numbers not only to take more ground, but also to drive out the inhabitants of the land. If we believe that there is more here for us, we must go get it. It is not just going to just fall in our lap. No one owes us anything. We owe it to ourselves to go out and take all that belongs to us. If what we have isn’t enough, we must be willing to take more ground. We must take responsibility for where we currently are, not make excuses. God has given us all the tools for victory, we must simply use them.
#takewhatsours #responsibility #verseoftheday #vcccharlotte #strengthinnumbers