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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Thursday, 12 June 2025:
Joshua 17:1–6 — Then allotment was made to the people of Manasseh… for he was the firstborn of Joseph. To Machir… because he was a man of war… Zelophehad… had no sons, but only daughters…. They approached Eleazar the priest and Joshua… and said, “The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance along with our brothers.” So… he gave them an inheritance among the brothers of their father.
Manasseh, the other son of Joseph, receives his inheritance next. Within this tribe, the daughters of Zelophehad show boldness and faith by requesting their rightful inheritance, based on God’s earlier promise through Moses (Numbers 27:1–11). Joshua and Eleazar honor the Lord’s command and grant their request. These women are models of faith-filled initiative. They knew God’s Word and acted on it. Sometimes you must take hold of what God has promised—not with entitlement, but with faith and courage.
- Numbers 27:7 — “The daughters of Zelophehad are right. You shall give them possession of an inheritance among their father’s brothers.”
- Hebrews 4:16 — “Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace…”
Joshua 17:4 – So according to the mouth of the Lord….
The word of God is sufficient authority to call for obedience without any further evidence or conditions. Many frustrated subordinates consistently question and resist their directives from senior leaders because they simply don’t understand them or don’t really like them. “But why?” they ask defiantly. This challenge of authority ultimately comes down to a lack of trust in the leader (often due to a lack of understanding), and it delays progress and success.
- Ephesians 6:5-8 — Bondservants, obey your earthly masters with fear and trembling, with a sincere heart, as you would Christ, not by the way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, rendering service with a good will as to the Lord and not to man, knowing that whatever good anyone does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether he is a bondservant or is free.
Perhaps there is good reason to question an imperfect human leader, though perhaps not always good justification – as the adage goes, “Leaders have the right to be wrong.” However, there is no good reason to doubt our perfect God or to delay in our obedience, even if we don’t understand the “why” behind the command. Again, delayed obedience is disobedience, which only robs us of God’s best for us and for others. The word disciple is related to the word discipline. Discipline has been defined as, “instant and willing obedience to all orders and respect for authority.” Are you a disciplined disciple, or is your delay robbing you of God’s best?
- Matthew 4:20 — Immediately they left their nets and followed him.
Joshua 17:7–13 — The territory of Manasseh… the inhabitants of these cities, the Canaanites, persisted in dwelling in that land. But when the people of Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out.
Like Ephraim, Manasseh failed to fully obey God’s command. Even when strong, they chose convenience over complete obedience. Partial obedience might look like progress, but it’s still disobedience. Delayed or diluted obedience allows the enemy to remain embedded in your life. Strength is not the issue—will is. When you have the power to do right but choose not to, you’re not just compromising your calling—you’re corrupting your inheritance.
- Deuteronomy 20:17 — “You shall devote them to complete destruction… as the Lord your God has commanded.”
- James 4:17 — “Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.”
Joshua 17:11, 14 – Also in Issachar and in Asher Manasseh had Beth-shean and its villages, and Ibleam and its villages, and the inhabitants of Dor and its villages, and the inhabitants of En-dor and its villages, and the inhabitants of Taanach and its villages, and the inhabitants of Megiddo and its villages; the third is Naphath…. Then the people of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given me but one lot and one portion as an inheritance, although I am a numerous people, since all along the LORD has blessed me?”
God gave Joseph’s sons a strong portion including places inside other tribes’ territories, but Joseph was not satisfied. We are challenged enough to be faithful simply with what God has already given us. When you are faithful with little, God can give you more. He knows what you can handle better than you do. Often, we are so worried about what we don’t have, we fail to see and appreciate what we do have. Leading small teams can often produce more fruit than leading big teams because the leader can dedicate more attention to those being led. Jesus focused on only 12 dedicated men to facilitate global change – “While I was with them, I kept them in your name, which you have given me. I have guarded them, and not one of them has been lost except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled (John 17:12).” What can God do through you with what you have right now?
Contentment is the mark of faith, and an attitude of gratitude pleases our Lord and produces fruit.
Joshua 17:13-18 — Now when the people of Israel grew strong, they put the Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly drive them out. Then the people of Joseph spoke to Joshua, saying, “Why have you given me but one lot and one portion as an inheritance, although I am a numerous people, since all along the Lord has blessed me?” And Joshua said to them, “If you are a numerous people, go up by yourselves to the forest, and there clear ground for yourselves in the land of the Perizzites and the Rephaim, since the hill country of Ephraim is too narrow for you.” The people of Joseph said, “The hill country is not enough for us. Yet all the Canaanites who dwell in the plain have chariots of iron, both those in Beth-shean and its villages and those in the Valley of Jezreel.” Then Joshua said to the house of Joseph, to Ephraim and Manasseh, “You are a numerous people and have great power. You shall not have one allotment only, but the hill country shall be yours, for though it is a forest, you shall clear it and possess it to its farthest borders. For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.”
A small compromise in your obedience to God that seems like no big deal to you, is always a big deal to God. Even small acts of disobedience reveal what you care about is more important to you than what God cares about, that something other than God has become your priority. All disobedience is you saying, “God, You are not Lord here.” Rather than driving out the Canaanites, the Israelites made a comfort-based decision and put them into forced labor, avoiding conflict while promoting financial gain. No big deal, right? I wonder how the Israelites justified this defiance of God?
Have you ever told yourself that you could control the apparently small sin in your life or keep it in a box? “I know the words of this song are bad, but I just like the music….” Have you ever said something like this: “Other than the profanity and sex scenes, that was a pretty good movie”? Proverbs 6:27 asks, “Can a man carry fire next to his chest and his clothes not be burned?” Don’t strive to control sin in your life – drive it out. Accept no compromise with sin. Trust and obey.
Many people want more from God but are unwilling to do more with what they’ve already received. The people of Joseph claim their portion is too small, despite being numerous. Joshua wisely points them back to personal responsibility. “You want more? Then clear the forest.” God often gives promises in seed form, expecting us to cultivate and claim them with faithful effort. The land is there—but you must go and clear it.
- Proverbs 14:23 — “In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.”
- Philippians 2:12–13 — “Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you…”
Once again, God expects us to be thankful for what we have, not complain about it or make excuses based upon what we don’t have. God wants us to make the most of what He has given us, under the conditions in which He has placed us. Circumstances don’t determine our success but rather how we respond to those circumstances. One of the easiest and most common copouts is to claim that we don’t have the resources (time, abilities, materiel, people, etc.) to get done what needs to get done. However, if God called us to do it, He will provide the resources – “His will; His bill.” But God expects us to work diligently, persistently, and obediently. (Proverbs 10:4, 5) Proverbs remind us, “The blessing of the Lord makes rich, and He adds no sorrow with it.” (Proverbs 10:22) The people of Joseph were not satisfied with God’s blessings and commands and made excuses for their lack of obedience. As a result, they induced sorrows with the blessings they had received. Work joyfully, thankfully, contently, diligently, persistently, faithfully, and confidently with what God has given you and be blessed. Don’t make excuses. Don’t add your own sorrows.
Joshua 17:17-18 – “For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong.”
God calls you to accomplish what is impossible for you to accomplish without His power so He will be glorified rather than you. It doesn’t take faith to do what you already know you can do.
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 12 June 2025: Clear the Forest. You’ve been given an inheritance in Christ—salvation, spiritual gifts, kingdom influence—but have you fully taken hold of it? The daughters of Zelophehad claimed theirs by faith; the tribes of Joseph hesitated and complained. God’s promises are real, but they often come with responsibility. Where have you been asking God for “more” while neglecting to fully use what He’s already given you? Today, choose one “forest” to clear—a difficult conversation, a long-avoided habit, a spiritual discipline left dormant. Boldly step into your inheritance. You have the strength. Now obey. Pray: “Father, thank You for the rich inheritance You’ve given me in Christ. Forgive me for grumbling over what I have while failing to fully occupy it. Teach me to act in faith like the daughters of Zelophehad, and not shrink back when obedience is hard. Show me where I need to “clear the forest” and give me the will and strength to do it. May I never be satisfied with partial possession when You have called me to full obedience. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Defenders Bible Reading Plan 