Complaining About Free Gifts

Scripture: The people of Joseph said to Joshua, “Why have you given us only one allotment and one portion for an inheritance? We are a numerous people, and the Lord has blessed us abundantly.” “If you are so numerous,” Joshua answered, “and if the hill country of Ephraim is too small for you, go up into the forest and clear land for yourselves there in the land of the Perizzites and Rephaites.” The people of Joseph replied, “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 settlements and those in the Valley of Jezreel.” Joshua 17:14-16

Observation: As Joshua begins to allot territory to the tribes, the second one he hands out creates complaints. Ephraim wants more territory, despite the fact that their territory is really blended with Manasseh, and Manasseh has by far the largest territory of all. For the sons of Joseph, they get a territory that is effectively a third of the entire promised land, plus half the land on the east side of the Jordan. It includes the current operating capital, Shiloh.

And yet, in the midst of being handed land, they complain. Worse, when told they could have more, they complain about the strength of the Canaanites. They exhibit a lack of faith of the Lord, stating they won't be able to claim the land in question, and in the preceding verses their failure to even claim the current land is called out.

Yes, this means that Ephraim complains about a free gift, complains about the remedy offered them, and then doesn't take the action needed to even claim the gift they were given in the first place. The fact that future prophets may call the northern kingdom "Ephraim" instead of Israel when discussing their lack of faith may actually be a reflection of this ... a people without the faith to act, who complain about even what the Lord gives them.

Application: I have seen others do this, but I'll keep this personal: Have I ever complained because the Christian life isn't all I want it to be? I have been given the gift of eternal life, produced by the brutal sacrifice of Jesus himself, as a result of God's amazing love ... have I ever complained that the rules are too strict, or I've missed out on worldly happiness, or the labor is too time consuming, or the criticism is hard? And have I ever done this while actively refusing to ... enjoy the happiness of my blessings, worship with amazing joy, and foster friendships at church.

God gives us great lives, from the great things he has stored up for us, out of his great love. Like Ephraim, we are likely to complain about what we aren't getting instead of celebrate what we are getting. We do this even when it should be obvious that what we are getting is FAR superior to the alternative!

I will not complain, even about the hardships that are, in fact, part of the Christian life. I know those come with the territory, and they can be endured through the strength of the Holy Spirit. I have been given gifts beyond measure, when I deserve to receive nothing but pain and death. How can I complain.

Prayer: Abba, I thank you for your good gifts, your wonderful love, and your amazing grace. May I keep my thanks to you upon my lips every day, every hour, and every minute. I join with you in maturing and growing those gifts as well. Please, this day, protect me from any of the problems that may come with them, for I know you will overcome them. Amen.