My Grandma Pennington was really the best of all of us Penningtons. She walked for miles every day, read through the Bible more times than she could count, prayed for each of us by name every morning, only ever ate three peanut M&Ms at a time, always smelled like Chanel N°5, and she always made her husband chuckle. Her chief desire was that we know Jesus. And she made each of us feel like we were her very favorite person in the world. I miss her very much.
She had some jewelry, and everyone received a piece as part of an inheritance. I got a necklace that is black, gold, and perfect. It may seem like a small thing, but the detail of a fitting piece of jewelry is a reminder of what deeply personal love looks like. My grandmother reflected one way in which God’s goodness is personal: the details matter to Him. He is close to and cares for His children. He created us with love, and He cares about our relationships and our beautiful, marvelous grandmothers.
I just love this passage about Israel’s happy ending—their long-awaited, personal inheritance. I understand that reading about the division of land might seem dry. But lists and rosters are often where we can really find the good stuff. It is precisely in these particulars that we see the practical outworking of the favor of God. His promises are not far off and cold, because even in the mundane, jewelry-wearing aspects of our lives, all of His promises are “Yes” and “Amen” (2 Corinthians 1:20).
What a relief and joy to realize God is not indifferent to or dismissive of our circumstances. He considers our estate, and provides an inheritance for all His people. And boy, does He love people! The abundance of children and grandchildren as His generous blessing is a constant theme in Scripture. The blessing of fruitfulness, the continuation of families, and the generational promises of God’s covenant are signs of His favor. “We have many people, because the LORD has been blessing us greatly” (Joshua 17:14). And this family isn’t limited to biology. In Christ, God’s family extends beyond literal descendants to bless us with a far-reaching family through faith. Every person gains a heap of brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, parents, and children they are called to care for like flesh and blood in the body of Christ.
And when He blesses us with more people, He provides according to our needs. Yes, even the very land beneath our feet is His generous gift. We ought not fear or worry about the sufficiency of His provision. He knows us by name and knits us together before we are even born. The life of the Christian is an adventure story where we know the ending. He makes dear provisions for us along the way. He knows our names. He provides for us an inheritance perfectly tailored to us and out of His abundant generosity.
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48 thoughts on "Joseph’s Inheritance"
The final paragraphs just made praise and thanksgiving soar in me! Thank you Lord, for everything you have provided, and all that is in store, your promised glorious inheritance for me.
I will claim this, will we see the promise of this certain inheritance in the land of the living. Holy Spirit, thank you that you confirm it is true. We pray God you would provide where abundance is needed.
Thank you lord for blessing me.
Lord you are jehovah jireh i wont stop believing!
God has provided so much for my family. 5 years ago I had creditors calling daily and my husband lost his job. I put God in charge and now our credit is good and we are able to pay our bills and help my daughter. It’s amazing how God provides when you let go.
Thank you all for sharing your insights. I get so much more out of the text by reading through your thoughts. ❤️
Praise the Lord
Amen. Thank you for this Angie!! Will be thinking and praying through these questions/thoughts!!!
Yes, Diane! As a single middle-aged woman I feel the same. He knows my name and is providing and will provide!
As an aging woman who lives in a parsonage, who owns no house of her own, I just love the last aragraph. God’s going to take care of me!
The Lord is my provider! I do not need to worry about his provision because he knows my needs and will provide just what I need
Playing catchup today, as a little late to the table..
CHURCHMOUSE AND ANGIE, Thank you for you wonderful insightful words this morning, that will have me thinking today..
Blessed to walk this time with you both and all my SRT sisters..
Thank you God, Thank you..
Amen.
Blessings wrapped in love..❤
This last paragraph, especially, is so encouraging & a great reminder!
This is my first SRT study, and I find that the Podcast is a good preview of what I’m about to read and gives me some much needed insight. I’m a new Christian so the bible is very new to me. Having this discussion prior to reading really helps me.
Welcome to the Christian family!
Thank you. I do see that some listen before and some after!
So glad you pointed this out!! Makes sense! I was thinking this as well
Thank you, Rebecca for this! That last paragraph bri get comfort, peace, and gratitude. Thank You, Father! You are Amazing and there is none like You!!! Praise You in the morning, afternoon, and evening. You are so worthy!!!
Thank you, Mercy! I appreciate you writing so much truth there! May I remember and heed your words taken from Scripture. Seeing God for who He is and trusting in Him is so key. This should help when things don’t seem to make sense to me. He is God and He has never needed counsel from anyone. His ways are higher and He is in the details. Help us, God to be people that love You and Your Word and trust You and not lean on our own limited understanding! In Jesus Name Amen! God bless you all and have a great day!
Welcome Adrienne! Personally, I enjoy listening to the podcast at the beginning of the week (it comes out on Mondays), but sometimes it’s Wednesday or Thursday til I get there… i found that it really helped me read Joshua and adds a whole new layer to the readings for me, so many good thoughts being thought out allowed but also the same questions that we have being asked… they usually do go through the entire week’s chapters so if you prefer to not hear that yet, definitely save it for the end of the week. It’s still good :)
Welcome, Adrienne! Sorry I can’t leave this as a reply to your comment for some reason.
I love the podcast and I usually listen at the end of the week because I find it helpful as a recap. I know some others listen at the start of the week though so I think when to listen just comes down to personal preference. I’d definitely recommend it though!
Today reading shows repetitive pattern that reveals a bigger picture. God initially commanded King Saul during his war conquests back then to wipe out ALL the Amalek (Deuteronomy 25:19), keyword is ALL, but Saul (for fear of human criticism) disobeyed and spared some, and thus offended God greatly and immediately “got fired”. For us readers of the story, we might think, what’s the harm if Saul spared some lives, shouldn’t God be merciful to all? Now, say that to Esther’s time, where the wicked Haman- the direct descendant of the remnants which Saul spared- rose to power as the Persian Prime Minister and plotted the horrific Israelite genocide. God stepped in to deliver them all from Saul’s mistake. Someone in the comments yesterday asked this great question, if the land allotments were given to Israelite tribes, where are they now? how come majority of the Middle East region are NOT Christian nations? We see a glimpse of the answer today. The Israelites again disobeyed; they spared the remnants to be with them. It cost them down the road. Let us humble ourselves to admit that God’s ways are higher than our ways, His thoughts are wiser than our thoughts. Everything He does is extra-calculating. He searches all things. Let us lean not on our own understanding, and remain obedient to God and trust His ways!
Hello, sisters in Christ! I am new to SRT and am trying to get started and catch up! I think I’m caught up in Joshua (and hope I can have more profound thoughts like you!) Does anyone listen to the weekly podcast, and should it be enjoyed at the start of the week, or after reading the daily passages? I didn’t know if I should post here, or if there was somewhere else I should have gone…
I have found you can never have too many Christian sisters and brothers, especially in times need or sorrow. When my son died I had over 400 people at the celebration of his life. When the search team was looking for his body — he drowned — those two days there were probably 20 – 30 of my other son’s and my friends in and out of the house. Most of them Christians. I knew since my parents (who my sons and I lived with at the time) weren’t there God had sent them instead.
I believe everyone needs a Christian family. I am lucky I have several, I have my biological family (most of them are Christian), I have my church family, I have my Camino family and I have my She Reads Truth family. I have been blessed also with many Christian friends. I praise the Lord every day for all He has done and given me.
Be blessed sisters and have a blessed and fantastic weekend.
Angie, really appreciate your insight. I know I have and likely still complain in the blessing.
Angie, I love your reflection. I was thinking the same thing, but you articulated it so well. Thanks for sharing.
❤️❤️❤️
This morning as my husband and I stood in the sun on our new home balcony, we talked of how blessed we were to finally be at our dreamed-of for many years, new home in Florida! I said I can’t believe it took me so long to get here, and him even longer, living in Illinois all his life. He said I know, this just feels like home! It was then that I realized how that truly paralleled with our study this morning. I, and I may be the only one, am thrilled with my new home and its exact boundaries! So important to ME! Because it took me 20 years of dreaming of being in a home just like this and praying to be here! Wow. God always has something to tell you in his WORD! Pay attention. And so many obstacles and paths to get me here just like His people getting to their home, with many blessings and provisions.
Have a great wkd friends!
Congratulations on your dream home! May you continue to be showered by God’s blessings. He loves to see His children light up as we receive his gifts.
As I read this, I’m wondering why the tribes got distinct land and didn’t all share the promise land together, but instead we’re separated
Isn’t it encouraging and inspiring (life-giving) seeing the daughters stand up and speak out to receive their inheritance among their brothers? Isn’t it wonder that the Lord confirms their inheritance?
He sees us. He sees me.
I am thankful.
I always found it interesting that Joshua told them to drive out the Canaanites but they never did. If they had maybe they wouldn’t have continued to have so many problems later on.
God provides us biological family, but He also provides us family through the body of Christ, through faith. God also provides for our needs. He will never fail us and He will never leave us. He loves us and knows what is best. We have a great inheritance coming from Him stored in heaven.
Yes, Angie! Another layer/factor is the fact that God had COMMANDED them to drive out these other nations. We’ve seen three? Four? times so far “However, Israel failed to../could not…/did not…” drive them out. They were promised victory. The land was theirs. It was strictly a matter of obedience. Judges is coming along with an up-close-and-personal look at the catastrophic consequences. Like Angie, I am asking myself today “where (what) are the Canaanites in my life?” We, too, have been promised victory and everything we need for life and godliness. I want to live in the beautiful freedom and peace that comes with obedience.
I love looking at Joshua as an example of a great leader. When asked for more land by the people of Joseph he responds with a solid plan. He doesn’t deny their request. He recognizes their need and provides a solution.
When the people don’t like that plan he stands firm in his decision but encourages them that they are able to overcome their fears.
I also thought it was interesting that God provided the miracle of the first allotment of land with a promise that the Lord would drive our the inhabitants, but that if they wanted more land, THEY had to do the work to drive out the canaanites. There was no specific promise that the Lord would do the work for them so it was based on their human numbers and strength (although I’m sure the Lord would be with them when they did it) but the emphasis is that the people would lead the charge to take more land instead of the Lord leading the charge.
Yes and Amen! He is faithful, He keeps His promises. Lord God may my faith reflect your faithfulness and may my focus be fixed on you Jesus, the greatest fulfillment of God’s promise. Yes and Amen what Joy there is in God’s Word. Praying the Hope and Peace that surpasses understanding over you my Sisters. Yes! And Amen! Glory to God in the Highest!
@angie – thank you for sharing your insights and reflections! So good to ponder what the canaanites are in my life that I’m keeping around.
I have what I need. We have a we need. I was very encouraged by Rebecca’s last paragraph:
He provides according to our needs. This has been so true of my life these past 3 1/2 years. I can’t believe it’s been this long and this coming July it will be 4 years that the life of my children and I took a 180 turn. And this statement has been so true. I may not have much, but I have what I need. I lack nothing. We have food, home, a car, a job, and most of all my relationship with Jesus has grown so much and I feel safe. I do sometimes think about what’s going to happen in the future, but I try not to because I know that my God will continue to provide. And most of all He knows My Name!
The Lord will provide!
Gracious…
I think I’ve also got some Canaanites to deal with in my life. Thank you for sharing this Angie!
Oh this was so good! What beautiful promises the Lord continues to reveal in these portions of Scripture. I for one am encouraged yet again. And look forward to seeing you all in our Father’s house one day. Yes and amen!
He fulfills his promises. Holding onto that. Yes and Amen.
@ Angie. Amen! I’m 3 weeks into a the new Priscilla Shirer Elijah Bible Study and one lesson was all about how God separates, sustains us, shields us and surprises us. As I read your comment, I went back for that place and see that’s exactly what He did for them. And I love the call to action. He provides.
We ought not fear or worry about the sufficiency of His provision.
♥️
There is so much to unpack here – thank you so much for posting this!
The Canaanites were determined to stay in the land. They became slaves. What am I determined to hold onto that I would be so much better off letting go.
The descendants of Joseph wanted more but were afraid even though Joshua told them they could drive out the Canaanites, even though they were strong and how iron chariots. It was their unbelief, maybe not enough confidence.. so they got what they wanted in the end but had to do it the hard way, clear the forest.
How many things would be so much easier for me if I JUST believed and had more faith and trust in my provider instead of trying to do it my way!
The Canaanites were determined to stay in the land and they became slaves.
How many times have I determined to hold tight to something I would be better off to let go.
Also, Joseph’s descendants were greedy, they wanted more, more, more.. Joshua told them they would have more and they could clear the l
The life of a Christian is an adventure story where we know the ending. I loved this quote.
God’s blessing of people was crowding Joseph’s sons in their space. If I understand correctly, they thought they needed more of the promised land. Their answer was that God had already provided all they needed. All they needed to do was clear out the forest, and the Canaanites. Which causes me to ask myself, what/where am I complaining in the blessing? What/where do I need to clear my heart, home, and activities? What are the Canaanites I have left in my space, because I am either afraid to drive them out, or think they have some value of service to me, so I am willing to allow what is not God’s to remain near? Give me eyes to see and ears to hear Father. May I have your wisdom and guidance, stepping forward to obey, in gratitude and praise. I ask this in the precious name of Jesus. Amen.
ANGIE-
thank you… I’ll be holding onto your words❤️
An imperishable inheritance is kept in heaven for me. Until that day, as I walk on this earth, I have the assurance of all His promises. Where I do my Bible study in the morning there is a little sign with this reminder: “Start with Yes.” The yes He promises throughout His Word and the yes I promise when I pray “Thy will be done.”