Joshua 17

“For you shall drive out the Canaanites, though they have chariots of iron, and though they are strong” (v18).  The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, like the other Israelite tribes, knew the dimensions of their land inheritance, yet they had to exercise faith to possess it, especially when the Canaanites had iron chariots.  Sometimes they didn’t complete the task (v12), and they ended up living in the land alongside their enemies.  Joshua reminded them, “You are numerous and have great power” (v17).

The Israelites were all given inheritances, yet their experience of possessing and living in the land was according to faith.  God calls us to active participation in His promises.