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APRIL 14
DAY 13: How does God’s guarantee of success to Joshua relate to us?
The Book of Joshua begins with God’s commissioning of Israel’s new leader. God described
Joshua’s mission—to go in and possess the Land (1:2–6).God hinged Joshua’s success on three key
factors: 1) God’s own presence (v. 5); 2) Joshua’s personal strength and courage (vv. 7,9); and 3)
Joshua’s attention to and application of God’s word (vv. 7,8).
God spelled out this third factor with some detail for it was to be the basis for all of Joshua’s
actions. God’s word was to be Joshua’s constant conversation, continual meditation, and unswerv-
ing application.The phrase “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth”(v. 8) deserves
added attention. While a first impression might lead to the conclusion that Joshua was not sup-
posed to talk about the Book of the Law, the direct opposite is the case: he was not supposed to
stop talking about it.
Biblical meditation begins with the thoughtful, lingering reading of God’s Word. It progresses
to familiarity and memorization.In order to “meditate in it day and night”(v.8),the Book of the Law
would have been in Joshua.The purpose has been achieved when meditation leads us to “observe
to do according to all that is written in it”(v. 8).
“Then,” God told Joshua,“you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good
success” (v. 8). Joshua found the ultimate measure of prosperity and success—knowing how God
wants His people to live and then living that way. God repeatedly assured Joshua of His own pres-
ence “wherever you go.”What greater measurement of success could there be than to honor the
ever-present God with our obedience?

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And the territory of Manasseh was from
April 14 Asher to Michmethath, that lies east of
Shechem; and the border went along south to
the inhabitants of En Tappuah. Manasseh had
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the land of Tappuah, but Tappuah on the bor-
Joshua 17:1–18:28
der of Manasseh belonged to the children of
There was also a lot for the tribe of Ephraim. And the border descended to the
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17 Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Jo- Brook Kanah, southward to the brook. These
seph: namely for Machir the firstborn of cities of Ephraim are among the cities of
Manasseh, the father of Gilead, because he Manasseh. The border of Manasseh was on the
was a man of war; therefore he was given north side of the brook; and it ended at the sea.
Gilead and Bashan. And there was a lot for 10 Southward it was Ephraim’s, northward it
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the rest of the children of Manasseh accord- was Manasseh’s, and the sea was its border.
ing to their families: for the children of Manasseh’s territory was adjoining Asher on
Abiezer, the children of Helek, the children of the north and Issachar on the east. And in
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Asriel, the children of Shechem, the children Issachar and in Asher, Manasseh had Beth
of Hepher, and the children of Shemida; these Shean and its towns, Ibleam and its towns, the
were the male children of Manasseh the son of inhabitants of Dor and its towns, the inhabi-
Joseph according to their families. tants of En Dor and its towns, the inhabitants
But Zelophehad the son of Hepher, the son of of Taanach and its towns, and the inhabitants
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Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of Megiddo and its towns—three hilly
had no sons, but only daughters. And these are regions. Yet the children of Manasseh could
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the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, not drive out the inhabitants of those cities, but
Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. And they came the Canaanites were determined to dwell in
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near before Eleazar the priest, before Joshua that land. And it happened, when the chil-
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the son of Nun, and before the rulers, saying, dren of Israel grew strong, that they put the
“The LORD commanded Moses to give us an Canaanites to forced labor, but did not utterly
inheritance among our brothers.” Therefore, drive them out.
according to the commandment of the LORD, 14 Then the children of Joseph spoke to
he gave them an inheritance among their Joshua, saying, “Why have you given us only
father’s brothers. Ten shares fell to Manas- one lot and one share to inherit, since we are
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seh, besides the land of Gilead and Bashan, a great people, inasmuch as the LORD has
which were on the other side of the Jordan, blessed us until now?”
because the daughters of Manasseh received So Joshua answered them, “If you are a
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an inheritance among his sons; and the rest of great people, then go up to the forest country
Manasseh’s sons had the land of Gilead. and clear a place for yourself there in the land
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