Follow the Instructions
Today's Scripture: Joshua 16
1And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan by Jericho, unto the water of Jericho on the east, to the wilderness that goeth up from Jericho throughout mount Bethel,
2And goeth out from Bethel to Luz, and passeth along unto the borders of Archi to Ataroth,
3And goeth down westward to the coast of Japhleti, unto the coast of Bethhoron the nether, and to Gezer; and the goings out thereof are at the sea.
4So the children of Joseph, Manasseh and Ephraim, took their inheritance.
5And the border of the children of Ephraim according to their families was thus: even the border of their inheritance on the east side was Atarothaddar, unto Bethhoron the upper;
6And the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north side; and the border went about eastward unto Taanathshiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah;
7And it went down from Janohah to Ataroth, and to Naarath, and came to Jericho, and went out at Jordan.
8The border went out from Tappuah westward unto the river Kanah; and the goings out thereof were at the sea. This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families.
9And the separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages.
10And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.
Today's Scripture Meaning:
The sons of Joseph.
- This and the following chapter should not be separated. They give the lots of Ephraim and Manasseh, the children of Joseph, who, next to Judah, were to have the post of honour, and therefore had the first and best portion in the northern part of Canaan, as Judah in the southern part. God's people now, as of old, suffer his enemies to remain. Blessed Lord, when will all our enemies be subdued? (1Co 15:26). Do thou drive them all out; thou alone canst do it. These settled boundaries may remind us, that our situation and provision in this life, as well as our future inheritance, are appointed by the only wise and righteous God, and we should be content with our portion, since he knows what is best for us, and all we have is more than we deserve
Today's Scripture Application
Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of Joshua with Chapter 16 and we see the Dividing of the Promised land. Today we see the double portion of the land given to Manasseh and Ephraim. What catches my eye is verse 10 where it is recorded, "they drave not out the Canaanites" as they were instructed when they received their land. The failure to follow all the instruction of the Lord will cause many problems in the upcoming book of Judges. In making application we see the need to follow the Lord's Word 100%. Many today will see how little they can get by with as it applies to their needs but the Lord knows all and gives us instruction for the present and the future. It reminds me of teaching my kids to drive. I tell them to use their mirrors but to always check their blindspots. They have missed a couple of close calls due to not following our principles today of following all the directions. If it is in the Bible it needs our attention and obedience. How about you? Do you tend to not follow all the instruction of scriptures? We can't pick and choose for the Lord knows all and instructs us in all things through His word. Let us learn from todays text to follow all the instruction of the Bible.
