04/09/10

Joshua 16-18

In this section, the division of the land continues. The first allotment discussed is that for Ephraim and Manasseh, the half tribes of Joseph. Manasseh was on the east side of the Jordan, Ephraim was in the promised land on the west. The division continued, with details on the boundaries and towns within different parts of the division. The division continued with Judah in the south, Joseph in the north, and the areas between to be determined by lots, and chapter 18 describes the portion of Benjamin in detail.

Thoughts, questions, issues

• This section is a cartographer's dream. I'm not a cartographer.
• There are a couple of noteworthy passages. First, the Ephraimites "did not dislodge the Canaanites living in Gezer; to this day the Canaanites live among the people of Ephraim but are required to do forced labor." Then, "the Manassites were not able to occupy these towns, for the Canaanites were determined to live in that region. However, when the Israelites grew stronger, they subjected the Canaanites to forced labor." This seems to be a clear violation of the LORD's instructions to the Israelites.
• This passage also contains what I believe is the third reference to Zelophehad son of Hepher and his five daughters (Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah and Tirzah) and no sons. There seems to clearly be a message that the daughters are considered significant.

Proverbs 22:1-16

This - the sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!" or, "I will be murdered in the streets!" - is an interesting verse. I don't suppose we normally worry about lions outside, but clearly the point is, someone who doesn't want to do something (like work) will find an excuse not to do it.

Proverbs 22

1 A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

2 Rich and poor have this in common:
The LORD is the Maker of them all.

3 A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge,
but the simple keep going and suffer for it.

4 Humility and the fear of the LORD
bring wealth and honor and life.

5 In the paths of the wicked lie thorns and snares,
but he who guards his soul stays far from them.

6 Train a child in the way he should go,
and when he is old he will not turn from it.

7 The rich rule over the poor,
and the borrower is servant to the lender.

8 He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

9 A generous man will himself be blessed,
for he shares his food with the poor.

10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
quarrels and insults are ended.

11 He who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious
will have the king for his friend.

12 The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge,
but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

13 The sluggard says, "There is a lion outside!"
or, "I will be murdered in the streets!"

14 The mouth of an adulteress is a deep pit;
he who is under the LORD's wrath will fall into it.

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
but the rod of discipline will drive it far from him.

16 He who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth
and he who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.