The narrowness of Joseph's boundaries may serve to teach us that even in Canaan causes arise to displease. Alas! there is nothing perfect here below! In the Canaan above Jesus hath ample space, and many mansions, suited to the most capacious desires of his people. Reader! doth not our gracious God sometimes send his people blasting, disappointing providences, on purpose to make heaven more desirable? Doth not Jesus take away those soft pillows we make for ourselves in the bosom of the creature to lean upon, with a gracious design to make us long to return to him and his rest, where alone we can find, rest to our souls? Psalms 116:7.
Joshua 17:14-18
14 And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto?
15 And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants,c if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee.
16 And the children of Joseph said, The hill is not enough for us: and all the Canaanites that dwell in the land of the valley have chariots of iron, both they who are of Bethshean and her towns, and they who are of the valley of Jezreel.
17 And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only:
18 But the mountain shall be thine; for it is a wood, and thou shalt cut it down: and the outgoings of it shall be thine: for thou shalt drive out the Canaanites, though they have iron chariots, and though they be strong.