Introduction

Today, we examine Chapter 17 of the Book of Joshua. The central theme of Joshua is inheriting the land. There is a principle in this world: if you occupy a piece of land, others cannot. If you gain something, others lose it. The world operates this way.

Where did the Israelites' promised land and inheritance come from? It was seized from the Canaanites. This world is unfair. Those who seek to create a fair world pursue something akin to utopia, an ideal society.

From early times, mankind has sought to build an ideal society, yet despite all efforts, it remains elusive. Such is the nature of the world: your gain is another's loss. For instance, a Fortune 500 company occupies a market share that others cannot. If you seize it, you become a Fortune 500 company. Thus, inheritance is a peculiar thing.

The Importance of Inheritance

In Chapter 17 of Joshua, I have titled the theme: Inheritance is Acquired Through Struggle and Seizure. Remember, inheritance is acquired through struggle and seizure. Ponder this; you will notice that in leading you through the Bible, I emphasize the theme in almost every chapter. If the theme is unclear, our interpretations become fragmented and fruitless.

In this life, one must grasp the most important things, followed by the second and third most important. Then come the less significant matters—the fourth, fifth, and sixth... and those of little consequence.

Inheritance is crucial. Reading the Bible, we must understand why this theme is set. What is the story about? It tells of the daughters of Zelophehad who sought land from Joshua. This request involved struggle. If you understand this, you will see that this story parallels that in Numbers 27, where Zelophehad's daughters approached Moses. As a result, they obtained a piece of land.

What about the second story? It recounts how the Ephraimites also approached Joshua, complaining that their land was insufficient, that their tribe was large and could not dwell there, and that the land given to them was small. Joshua did not oblige. Instead, he suggested that they seize more land for themselves.

Hence, I title the theme: Inheritance is Acquired Through Struggle and Seizure. Many find this phrase unpleasant. Yet, spiritual principles can be harsh. We often wonder, Why not yield a bit? Wouldn't it be better to be accommodating? Yielding should not depend on human inclination, but on God's will.

My guiding principle is this: we should emulate those whom God favors and avoid becoming like those He dislikes. By being the kind of people God favors, how could we possibly live poorly?

Though you may be good, if you are not favored by God, what is the use of being good? The world will never be without the poor, for such is God's design. Why does God discourage yielding? If you yield, you will not gain inheritance, and without inheritance, you will live in poverty and then complain, God, why are you unfair to me?

In reality, the world is fair. Those who master spiritual principles thrive. Though it may seem harsh, understanding these principles leads to prosperity.

Speaking and Acting with Reason

The story in this chapter continues from the previous one in Numbers 27, where Zelophehad's daughters approached Moses. They said to Moses, Our father had no sons, only daughters. We do not want his name to be erased. We want his name to continue. Though he has no sons, we, his daughters, wish to represent our father and claim a piece of land.

Moses, unsure of what to do, sought God. God said something interesting:

The daughters of Zelophehad speak right: thou shalt surely give them a possession of an inheritance among their father's brethren; and thou shalt cause the inheritance of their father to pass unto them. And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, If a man die, and have no son, then ye shall cause his inheritance to pass unto his daughter. And if he have no daughter, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his brethren. And if he have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his father's brethren. And if his father have no brethren, then ye shall give his inheritance unto his kinsman that is next to him of his family, and he shall possess it: and it shall be unto the children of Israel a statute of judgment, as the Lord commanded Moses. (Numbers 27:7-11)

One sentence stands out: The daughters of Zelophehad speak right. Therefore, one must act with reason! Striving for inheritance is one thing, but obtaining it depends on whether you have reason. What did Zelophehad's daughters say? They said:

Our father died in the wilderness, and he was not in the company of them that gathered themselves together against the Lord in the company of Korah, but died in his own sin, and had no sons: Why should the name of our father be done away from among his family, because he hath no son? Give unto us therefore a possession among the brethren of our father. (Numbers 27:3-4)

Our father died in the wilderness because the Israelites offended God, who made them wander for 40 years until they all died. Our father died for his own sin, not as an enemy of God. This is well stated; enemies of God cannot inherit the promised land.

Zelophehad's daughters were astute and clear-headed. They were named Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. It would be beneficial to raise such daughters. Their father died without sons, and the daughters articulated their case clearly.

Why should our father's name be erased from his family because he has no sons? God did not want our names to be erased from our families. God does not want our names to vanish completely. God values our names. Although we may not promote our own names, God does not want us to be nameless. He takes the matter of names seriously.

This story extended to the time of Joshua, where the situation remained tough. Zelophehad's daughters spoke to Moses, but did not receive their land. Moses died, and the authority passed to Joshua. Joshua, busy managing the vast Israelite population, forgot about their case. Consequently, Zelophehad's daughters approached Joshua, and what they said was meaningful:

And they came near before Eleazar the priest, and before Joshua the son of Nun, and before the princes, saying, The Lord commanded Moses to give us an inheritance among our brethren. Therefore according to the commandment of the Lord he gave them a possession among the brethren of their father. (Joshua 17:4)

Zelophehad's daughters spoke with reason, and they obtained their inheritance. Therefore, to strive for inheritance, you must have reason. I must tell you, whatever you do, you must have reason. You cannot expect to receive just by saying, Give it to me! There is no such thing.

Whether this reason is a fabricated story or not, no one can verify. But they clarified the matter. When speaking to Moses, they said, We do not want our father's name to be erased from his family. He did not die with Korah but died in his own sin. Therefore, we seek our father's inheritance.

Moses asked God, who said their case was reasonable. How many daughters were there in Israel? How many had no sons but only daughters? Why were only Zelophehad's five daughters bold enough to strive for it and have it recorded in the Bible? Because they had reason and dared to strive. Not daring to strive is tragic! Waiting silently will get you nowhere. With so many daughters waiting idly, would Moses seek you out if you did not approach him?

What revelation does God give us in this passage? God favored these girls, and they received their inheritance. Other girls in similar situations—fathers without sons—received nothing. In this day and age, gender matters little. Women can be formidable.

Women can be women pleasing to God, and men can be men pleasing to God. If you are a man without reason, it is troubling. If you are a woman without reason, it is also troubling. Therefore, we must be reasonable, and we must state our case clearly, not hesitantly and vaguely. Even reasoned arguments don't guarantee success, but unreasonableness guarantees failure. If you desire inheritance, you must articulate it clearly.

I recently saw a short video depicting a Qing Dynasty merchant and official engaging in官商勾结. The merchant had a way of speaking that enticed the official. We must not assume that giving gifts is easy; people may refuse. You must have reason, or your gift may be rejected. The key is to have reason—though it may be a crooked path. Regardless, the merchant obtained what he wanted from the official, and the official also benefited. Whether the official was honest and the merchant upright is debatable.

During the Qing Dynasty, the practice of官商勾结 reached a peak of perfection. The Qing Dynasty mastered this to an unparalleled degree. In whatever we do, lacking reason is unacceptable. Today, when we approach God, when we come before God's designated authority, we must speak with reason. The daughters of Zelophehad of the tribe of Manasseh spoke with reason, and they received their inheritance.

Let us continue. Because Joseph pleased God, his tribe became two tribes: Manasseh and Ephraim. His first son was named Manasseh, signifying God has made me forget all my toil, because Joseph was sold into slavery in Egypt. That was very painful.

When his second son was born, Joseph realized the truth and named him Ephraim, meaning God has caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction. Later, when Jacob blessed Manasseh and Ephraim, he blessed Ephraim above Manasseh. Indeed, Ephraim became a very large tribe.

But this large tribe faced a problem: many people, little land. When Zelophehad's daughters received land, someone received less. I suspect it was Ephraim. The Bible says that the south belonged to Ephraim and the north to Manasseh. Ephraim should have received more land, but because others strove for it, they received less. Therefore, to strive for inheritance, you must have reason.

But comparatively, the Ephraimites came to Joshua, saying:

Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion as an inheritance, since we are a numerous people and the Lord has blessed us abundantly? (Joshua 17:14).

That is devoid of principle! Joshua rebuffed them. One cannot function without principle; Joshua responded:

If you are such a numerous people, go up to the forest land of the Perizzites and Rephaites and clear a place for yourselves there. (Joshua 17:15).

The Ephraimites retorted:

But the hill country is not enough for us, and all the Canaanites who live in the plain have chariots fitted with iron, both those in Beth Shan and its towns and those in the Valley of Jezreel. (Joshua 17:16).

They emphasized that the hill country was insufficient for them, and while the plain was good land, the Canaanites dwelling there possessed iron chariots, rendering them invincible! What kind of talk is that? That lacks principle! Joshua addressed the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh:

You are a numerous people and very powerful. You will have more than one allotment. The hill country will be yours, clear the wooded land, and its farthest limits will be yours. Though the Canaanites have chariots fitted with iron and though they are strong, you can drive them out. (Joshua 17:17-18).

Did they eventually drive them out? It is not known. We shall revisit that narrative later. The Ephraimites did not acquire what they sought. Those residing in Beth Shan and its towns possessed iron chariots. Ultimately, Manasseh defeated these inhabitants within the territories of Issachar and Asher, seizing their land, including Beth Shan and its towns, as well as Ibleam and its towns, all falling under Manasseh's dominion. Through this, I aim to illustrate that one's actions must be guided by principle!

Striving for possessions should not involve claiming that others are too powerful and demanding an alternative plot. One must conquer to claim! One must fight for what has been given; without struggle, it remains unattainable! If the allotted land is inhabited, what recourse is there? It must be seized through battle! Did the daughters of Zelophehad conquer their portion? In essence, they must have, or it would not have been theirs. The Ephraimites, lacking the courage to fight, did not acquire their land.

Victory in Battle is Necessary to Possess the Promised Land

We often observe that God's promises are sometimes realized and sometimes not. The key lies in the ability to triumph. If you are unable to fight and conquer, you will not receive what is promised. Only through victory in battle can you possess the Promised Land. This forms a crucial theme within the Book of Joshua and a vital concept within Chinese Mingding Destiny!

For instance, we frequently question whether the land promised by God to Abraham, which the Israelites had to conquer with swords and weapons, was truly given by God or seized by them. Such a question reveals a lack of understanding.

It is given by God, but how did God put it? He proclaimed, I will go before you and fight for you, driving them out. What does fighting truly mean? Does it imply being mere cannon fodder? No, God has already fought on our behalf. However, if you lack the courage to fight, intimidated by their horses, iron chariots, tanks, cannons, and airplanes—if you are deterred by such things—then God cannot assist you!

We must grasp that what is given has truly been given by God. Have the courage to fight, and God will assuredly aid you; fear not! Your willingness to fight is merely a matter of attitude in claiming your inheritance. True victory rests with God! If God wills your victory, what is there to fear? Why do people hesitate to fight?

Hesitation to fight stems from a lack of faith in God! Trust in faith and fight for what has been given. In Christ, the promises within the Scriptures, however numerous, are affirmed. Today, in Christ, to realize God's promises, we must engage in spiritual warfare, trampling upon the devil, plundering the enemy. Is the plunder of the devil and his foes of any material use? Indeed, it is.

As our brethren are aware, I prosper in all my endeavors. Why? Because I have subdued the devil. Each time I subdue the devil, I ask, Are you defeated? It responds, I am defeated. I ask, Are you defeated by my hand? It admits, I am defeated by your hand. I then demand, What will you do? It replies, I will repay; await my repayment, I will deliver it to you by ox-cart. While the ox-cart remains unseen, the fruits of my labour yields return.

We must understand that victory in spiritual warfare not only sustains but also manifests as hard currency, a financial blessing. While this may seem to indicate a love for money, I aim to convey that what is given must be claimed through victory in the spiritual realm. Thus, we, as brethren, must become exorcists, trampling upon the devil and his foes, liberating the captives, for the rewards are exceedingly bountiful.

Those among us who seldom exorcise demons should consider adjustment. If something is given, how can one possess it without fighting? We must rise today and continue to strike at the devil and his foes. For instance, while others may not profit from purchasing property, your purchase will yield profit. While others struggle to rent out their properties, yours will be readily rented. This is due to happenings in the spirtual realm that determine matter in our worldly affairs.

We have discussed the daughters of Zelophehad and the significant tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. The Ephraimites also sought land but lacked principle. Joshua did not grant their request but suggested they attack. The Canaanites are strong, but you can conquer them, he said. What you seize will be yours.

God Favors Those proactive

Consider again the daughters of Zelophehad. What if they had thought, We must respect Joshua's authority. Joshua is busy governing the Israelites, so we should not burden him? Such logic is absurd. If you do not trouble him, you will trouble yourself. People who are busy have no time to think of you. If you do not pursue your interests, whom can you blame?

The daughters of Zelophehad sought out Joshua again, asserting that regardless of his busyness, this matter must be settled. They reminded Joshua of God's promise through Moses, which they had not forgotten. They reminded Joshua; They emphasized the reasonableness of their claim, stating that God had already agreed to their request and that Joshua must fulfill it today.

A trait we must cultivate is proactivity. Not only must we strive, but we must also act on principle. We must be proactive; if others forget, we must remember. Such a trait is essential.

The character exemplified by Jesus in the New Testament reflects this. Consider the widow who sought justice from an unjust judge, persistently seeking him until he granted her request. Today, God wishes to communicate what kind of character He favors. We must adopt the character that God favors.

The daughters of Zelophehad were exceptionally proactive, insistent that the matter be resolved according to God's will as promised through Moses, which Joshua could not alter. Eventually, Joshua conceded, Since there is this matter, let us proceed accordingly. The daughters of Zelophehad received their inheritance, a testament to the vast difference between proactivity and passivity.

Within the Christian faith today, passivity is prevalent. People claim to be waiting on God, perpetually waiting without receiving. Why? Because they are passive. God does not favor passivity; He favors proactivity and expansion.

We must cultivate a spirit of expansion, which is intrinsically God's will. Through expansion, we continually attain God's promises and inherit the Promised Land without hesitation.

I must inform you that the promises we have realized today are but a drop in the ocean, a mere fraction of what is available. To fully realize God's promises, we must pursue them all, regardless of their number. If others decline, we must seize them. We must proactively strive to become individuals of destiny, living out God's glorious image, claiming the promises of Christ, and witnessing God's glory manifested through us!

The theme of today—striving and seizing—reflects character. Courage to fight and conquer pleases God. With such faith, I assure you, you will inherit the Promised Land. God's promises far exceed what we have attained today. If you believe the land has been allocated to others, you are mistaken. It belongs to whoever conquers it. If you can conquer, that is the way.

The Book of Judges records that the tribe of Dan, much later in its existence, failed to conquer any territory, resulting in hardship and wandering. Why do some succeed while others fail? Because of disbelief, fear of battle, and distrust in God's word.

In the journey of life, trusting in God's word and fulfilling His promises is the most wonderful thing Christians can do. This journey requires both striving and seizing—traits that define character.

In the New Testament, does Jesus not advocate gentleness, humility, and forbearance? However, when it comes to claiming God's promises, do not be forbearing. If we are forbearing in claiming God's promises, we will forsake the characteristics of Jacob and the daughters of Zelophehad. Forsaking these traits is displeasing to God. To please God, we must strive to realize His promises.

God's promises are abundant. Those who are passive do not inherit the Promised Land; what is proactively claimed becomes ours. This is what Jesus meant when He said, to those who have, more will be given, and from those who have not, even what they have will be taken away. We must embody the character of the daughters of Zelophehad, proactively seizing and claiming all that God has promised, and living out our destiny as blessings to many.

Some may question how what is seized can become a blessing to others. If not seized, it remains in the devil's domain. What you seize becomes yours; in seizing something back. A person devoid of principle and courage has few of God's promises realized in their life. If we prevail and possess, we can share the benefits with others, is that not better? Brethren, based on your Bible study today, consider what kind of person you wish to be.

God bless you all!