THE WESTERN HALF TRIBE OF MANASSEH
(vs.1-13)
Manasseh's territory was immediately north of Ephraim, spreading from the Jordan to the Mediterranean Sea. Manasseh means "forgetting reminding us of Paul's words in Philippians 3:13, "forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus." Thus Manasseh and Ephraim go together. Manasseh was born first, but teaches us that we are to forget what we were in mere fleshly advantage, for that which is first is not spiritual, but natural. Thus, Ephraim was given the first place, which speaks of the positive bearing of fruit. For the positive must always take the precedence over the negative. Yet Manasseh has his place also, for we must all learn to put behind us all that is merely to the credit of the flesh.
One man is mentioned by name in verse 1, Machir, the firstborn of Manasseh, "because he was a man of war." Manasseh had died long before Israel's deliverance from Egypt, but Machir succeeded to the place of the firstborn. He was given Gilead and Bashan, which were on the east side of Jordan.
Other children of Manasseh are listed in verse 2 as being given territory in the bounds of the tribe. But more than that, five daughters of one man, Zelophehad, were given the inheritance that would have been the possession of their father if he had not died before. The daughters had been promised this by Moses (Numbers 27:1-11), and now in boldness of faith they claim the inheritance (vs.3-4). Certainly also, believing women are as fully entitled to a spiritual inheritance in heavenly places as are men. This blessing for them is wonderful, though of course it does not do away with God's governmental order as to the relative place and responsibilities of the man and the woman in the assembly or in public testimony. In this there are distinctions that must always be maintained.
Verse 5 speak of ten shares taken by Manasseh on the west side of Jordan, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan on the east. Thus, verse 1 refers to the east side of Jordan and verses 2-4 the west side. The daughters of Zelophehad received their inheritance among the sons mentioned in verse 2, and the rest of Manasseh's sons had the land of Gilead.
Manasseh had a relatively large possession, its border on the south adjoining Ephraim, the Mediterranean Sea being its west border and the river Jordan the east, though Issachar was on its north-east border, and Asher on the north (v.10).
A number of towns are mentioned in verse 11 which were in the territory given to Manasseh and Issachar, but Manasseh could not drive out the Canaanites who lived there. When Manasseh was strong enough, they put these Canaanites under forced labor, but did not drive them out (vs.12-13). Sadly, the territory of the church today is still compromised by the presence of people and principles that are not consistent with the pure truth of God.
COMPLAINTS RIGHTLY ANSWERED
(vs.14-18)
Though the territory allotted to Ephraim and Manasseh was large, yet they complained to Joshua that they had so little to inherit, saying that they were a great people, the Lord having blessed them. Did Ephraim think that, since Joshua was of Ephraim he would give them special recognition?
But Joshua was a man of God: he had been guided by God in the allotment of territory, and was not partial to his own tribe. His answer was wise and to the point, "If you are a great people, then go up to the forest country and clear a place for yourself there in the land of the Perizzites and the giants, since the mountains of Ephraim are too confined for you" (v.6). This was land to which they had title, but they had not taken possession of it. They were much like many believers today, who would like to have what others had fought for, but are afraid of the conflict necessary to possess what they are entitled to.
They objected to Joshua that they need more than the mountain country, and that the valley areas were possessed by Canaanites who had chariots of iron (v.16). Joshua, courageous man of war as he was, considered this a feeble argument. He reminded them a second time of their own words, they were a great people, and if so, had great power. They were able to cut down the trees of the mountains and were also able to defeat and drive out the Canaanites, though they had chariots of iron (vs.17-18). Caleb had not let the formidable opposition of giants defeat him (ch.14:6-12), and faith will never be defeated by the appearance of great power on the part of the enemies of God. Thus Joshua silenced the arguments of Ephraim and Manasseh. He had the last word. How could they deny its appropriateness?