A Bible Study by
Charles W. Holt
email: cholt@gt.rr.com
CHALLENGED BY CHARIOTS OF IRON(Part 2 of 3)
Scripture reading: Jeremiah 12:4
Scripture Text: Joshua 17:14-18
A little background on the tribes of Ephraim and Manesseh will be helpful in our understanding why the challenge to face chariots of iron was so important to them and, by extension, to us. These are the two sons of Joseph, born to him after he was elevated to a position second only in authority to the Pharaoh in Egypt (Gen. 46:20) In the Book of Joshua, these names identify the two families or "tribes" they have become, now numbering hundreds in teach group. It is the tribal leaders or elders who confront Joshua with their problem of possessing their promised inheritance (Joshua 17:14-18), and provides us with the picture and principles we are using about our confrontation with chariots of iron.
A good question to test one’s Bible knowledge is: why not say, "Manasseh and Ephraim instead of Ephraim and Manasseh?" Is anything wrong with the order of these words? Does it matter? We will find that it does matter and we will discover the reason why later. The way we order words and phrases often indicate their importance. We usually put the most important things at the top of the list. Things of less concern are reserved for a place well down the list. Is this true in the Ephraim/Manasseh equation? You should know that family life as described in the Old Testament was shaped along highly structured hierarchical lines. The rule or privilege of the firstborn was strictly observed. The firstborn had not only an exalted position within the family unit but also privilege and power that could, and often did, extend beyond the family. Such a place of privilege carried the burden of great expectation. The potential and possibilities for leadership were enormous.
What does this have to do with chariots of iron? The answer is bound up in the principle of, "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more" (Lk. 12:48). Let’s shine the light of this principle upon Ephraim’s and Manasseh’s reaction when they first encounter chariots of iron.
I believe Joshua was shocked at the reaction of these two when they complained that the job of taking possession of their allotted territory was made impossible by the fact that the Canaanites had chariots of iron in their arsenal. He listened to their whining complaint but his answer cut them no slack. Recall these words:
AND JOSHUA SPOKE TO THE HOUSE OF JOSEPH—EPHRAIM AND MANASSEH
Let’s take a close look at this snippet of a sentence. Three things need to be said here.
1. Joshua spoke.
2. Joshua spoke to the house of Joseph
3. Joshua spoke to Ephraim and Manasseh
Joshua Spoke – No one could speak with more authority to the Ephraim and Manasseh dynasties than Joshua. Not only had he been appointed by God as successor of Moses to lead the Israelites across the Jordan into the Promised Land—he was one of them. He was a blood brother. He belonged to the clan of Ephraim. He was not an outsider with Ephraim and Manasseh. He was bone of their bone, flesh of their flesh. This gave him clout. You listen to one of your own.
He also spoke with authority because he had been born a slave in Egypt and was probably about 40-years old when he crossed the Red Sea. He soon rose to a position of prominence along side Moses, leading Israel in the first decisive battle against Amalek (Ex. 17:9,13) while Moses held high the God-given "rod" (Ex. 17:9,11). His name—Joshua, meaning, "Jehovah is help," (Num. 13:16)—became the key to his life and work. He was an embodiment of his name, "Jehovah is help." Joshua lived up to his name! This was demonstrated on numerous occasions. None so clearly, however, as when he and Caleb came back from spying out the land and stood so distinctly in the minority by giving a good report. They said, in essence, "we can take the land, giants notwithstanding . . . let’s go . . . the sooner the better" (Num. 13:27-14:10). He is famous for his challenge to the Nation at the end of his honorable career saying, "Chose this day whom you will serve . . . But as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). He lived by that creed all the days of his life. Is it any wonder then that he would be surprised at Ephraim and Manasseh ’s reluctance to tackle their chariots of iron?
Joshua spoke to the House of Joseph. It is very significant that "the house of Joseph" is mentioned to identify Ephraim and Manasseh. These are, as mentioned, the two sons of the great Joseph. No man ever lived a more exemplary life of faith, hope, and courage than did this man. He was a trailblazer. To be of "the house of Joseph," to say, "Joseph is my father" was enough to hush a crowd, inspire awe, and give enemies pause. The "House of Joseph" was a noble house filled with enormous potential, and destined for greatness. No doubt, the two original brothers carried the name proudly and passed to succeeding generations a great and grand tradition that was strong in affirming God’s faithfulness and trustworthiness to keep His promises.
This brings us back to our earlier question: Of the two sons, do you know who is the firstborn? It turns out that the answer is one of those exceptions to my earlier "law of the firstborn," and "who leads the list?" theory. When Joseph’s father Jacob was dying, he brought his two young sons to their grandfather for his blessing. His words would have more weight than a sentimental gesture of wishing good things to come to them. They were spoken with the heavy anointing of God’s authority. They were heavy with prophetic significance. Here’s the account of that historic meeting.
"And Joseph took them both, Ephraim with his right hand toward Israel’s (i.e., Jacob’s) left hand, and Manasseh with his left hand toward Israel’s right hand, and brought them near him.
"Then Israel stretched out his right hand and laid it on Ephraim’s head, who was the younger, and his left hand on Manasseh’s head, guiding his hands knowingly, for Manasseh was the firstborn.
"And he blessed Joseph, and said: ’God, before whom my fathers Abraham and Isaac walked, the God who has fed me all my life long to this day, the Angel who has redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads; let my name be named upon them, and the name of my fathers Abraham and Isaac; and let them grow into a multitude in the midst of the earth.’
"Now when Joseph saw that his father laid his right hand on the head of Ephraim, it displeased him; so he book hold of his father’s hand to remove it from Ephraim’s head to Manasseh’s head.
"And Joseph said to his father, ’Not so, my father, for this one is the firstborn; put your right hand on his head.’
"But his father refused and said, ’I know, my son, I know. He also shall be great; but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his descendants shall become a multitude of nations.’
"So he blessed them that day, saying, ’By you Israel will bless, saying, May God make you as Ephraim and as Manasseh!’ And thus he set Ephraim before Manasseh" (Gen. 48:13-20)
Old grandfather Jacob is responsible for the order of the names. Instead of the expected Manasseh and Ephraim it was to be Ephraim and Manasseh. Ephraim and those who descended from him were to be blessed and in turn they would be a blessing to many nations. He conferred to both of Joseph’s sons a legacy of faith by joining them inextricably to two of the greatest names in Jewish history—Abraham and Isaac. Most importantly of all, they became partaker of God’s covenant relationship with all the sons of Jacob. And this is no small matter. For it is this covenant relationship that spells out the terms for all expectation and hope of victory in the Promised Land. It is this covenant relationship that should have been, in their present circumstances, the greatest reason for hope and expectation of victory when confronted by chariots of iron.
Joshua spoke to . . . Ephraim and Manasseh. I can’t help but believe this is, in fact, what Joshua was trying to get these leaders to see. "You have a rich heritage," I hear Joshua say. "God destined your family for greatness, He marked your family out to be winners, not losers! You are children of Abraham, and Isaac; children of Joseph. You are children of greatness." Centuries later, Jesus would say it this way: "For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more" (Lk. 12:48).
Because they are children of a covenant relationship with Jehovah, he would remind them of how Abraham’s faith triumphed over chariots of iron-type problems that make their present dilemma pale by comparison. He would tell them that the only thing Abraham had to guide him against his chariots of iron was God’s promises . . . "I will give you this land . . . I will give you a son, an heir . . . you will be the father of many nations." Impossible in the natural! This is one of the characteristics of chariots of iron-type problems. This is why the are chariots of iron. God has made them tough—on purpose!
Let’s pretend to be a fly on the tent flap that day. Joshua fixes his eyes on these assembled elders. His mind is awash with history. Surveying the face of each one he slowly, rhythmically, with is voice deep but steady with emotion, begins. "Our father Abraham believed God’s promise again and again," he says, "as did Isaac and Jacob. I challenge you to believe like father Abraham believed. Remember, God said to Abraham, ’I will give you this land.’ He said to Moses, ’I will give you this land’ he said to me, and all Israel, ’I will give you this land.’ He said to you—Ephraim and Manasseh—’I will give you this land.’ But you must go in and possess it!" By now Joshua is pacing, punctuating each word by driving his pointed finger into the air. Then he pauses, surveys his audience as if trying to get a read on their response. They stir uncomfortably as his fixed gaze seems to pierce through them. He stands motionless. Staring at them, he doesn’t really see them. His face is transfixed, eyes narrowing, as if he is searching the contents of an invisible scroll. Slowly his head drops then rises as he looks again at the elders seated in a semicircle around him. "I was there that day," be begins softly, "that day when Moses, in his farewell address, pronounced his blessing upon all our tribes and families. I distinctly recall what he said to our family—yours and mine—when he spoke of our father Joseph. Brethren, I want to remind you of those words. I want you to hear those words. In the light of what you are facing, it is important that you understand those words. Moses said of our father Joseph:
"Blessed of the LORD is his land, with the precious things of heaven, with the dew, and the deep lying beneath.
"With the precious fruits of the sun, with the precious produce of the months,
"With the best things of the ancient mountains, with the precious things of the everlasting hills,
"With the precious things of the earth and its fullness, and the favor of Him who dwelt in the bush. Let the blessing come on the head o Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him who has separate from his brothers.
"His glory is like a firstborn bull, and his horns like the horns of the wild ox; together with them he shall push the peoples to the ends of the earth; they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh" (Dt. 33:13-17 NKJV).
There is a short pause. Then, with a broad wave of his hand, he continues. His voice is strong, his words distinct. "His glory," he says, "is like a firstborn bull, and his horns like the horns of the wild ox; together with them he . . . shall . . . push . . . the peoples . . . to the ends of the earth. They are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are thousands of Manasseh." His voice rises, "The chariots of iron do not nullify the promise of God; they do not make void the promise of God. God knew there were chariots of iron in that valley long before he told you to possess it. The problem with you people is that you are too busy studying the problem. You need to quit studying the problem and begin to study the promise," he says, his eyes flashing. There is a look of fierce determination seen in his clinched teeth and stern-set jaw. Every man exchanges a quick glance at his neighbor’s face then, silently, stare at the rock pebbles littering the tent floor. They squirm uncomfortably.
What do you suppose was the outcome of Joshua’s inspired speech? What response do you suppose he received? History doesn’t tell us. I would like to believe that these tribal elders left that meeting with a renewed determination to get the job done. Place all that into a modern setting and it would be time for the altar service. First a show of hands of how many have been slack in faith—more problem conscious and less promise conscious, that could account for this weakness in the face of adversity. Follow this up by an invitation to the front for rededication and re-consecration to the task of possessing the land. Now one may leave with greater expectation of victory over those chariots of iron because of refocus and reordering of priorities.
Can you picture yourself walking out of that meeting after hearing Joshua’s impassioned challenge? How do you feel? What are your thoughts? Has anything changed about your outlook on the future? Is it possible that you might experience what two unnamed disciples experienced centuries later after haring Jesus bring perspective to their own troubled hearts? They said, "Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked with us? (Lk. 24:32). The prophet Jeremiah had a similar experience when he was in his own spiritual doldrums. He had become so discouraged that he said, "I quit! Doing what the Lord wants me to do is too hard. It’s too tough. I get no pleasure out of doing what I am supposed to do. So, I won’t mention the Lord’s name to anyone anymore" (see Jer. 20:7-9). Guess what . . .
Try as he may, try as he might,
He couldn’t keep quiet!
He said, "But his word was in my heart like a burning fire shut up in my bones; I was weary of holding it back, and I could not" (Jer. 20:9).
Reflection and Application.
Now is a good time to bring all this out of the past. Let’s put it squarely in the middle of a New Testament application where it really belongs. Joshua is a picture—a type or foreshadowing—of Jesus. He was to Ephraim and Manasseh (and in a larger sense to all Israel) what Jesus is to His Church today. In the same way Joshua challenged Ephraim and Manasseh, Jesus challenges us. Consider this:
1. Joshua Was of Their Blood. They were brethren, of his household. Of Jesus it is said,
"Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same . . . therefore in all things H had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God . . . " (Heb. 2:14-17 NKJV).
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right [authority] to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (Jn. 1:12, 13 NKJV).
"For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren" (Heb. 2:11 NKJV).
"For we are members of his body, of his flesh and of His bones" (Eph. 5:30 NKJV).
2. Joshua Was successor to Moses. Moses was the great lawgiver. He represents the Law. The Law cannot bring us into the Promised Land. Grace does. Of Jesus it is said,
"For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (Jn. 1:17 NKJV).
"But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God might taste death for everyone" (Heb. 2:9 NKJV).
The Apostle Paul says,
"But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man’s offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded o many" (Rom. 5:15 NKJV).
"But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me" (1 Cor. 15:10 NKJV).
3. Joshua Led the People Into the Land. He conquered six nations and 31 kings (see Joshua 11:18-23; 12:24). Our relationship with Christ is one of victory. The Apostle Paul lists "tribulation, distress, persecution, famine, nakedness, peril, and sword (Rm. 8:35) as what we might call chariots of iron, then shouts,
"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us" (Rm. 8:37 NKJV).
"But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ" (1 Cor. 15:57 NKJV).
"Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ" (2 Cor. 2:14 NKJV).
"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Phil. 4:13 NKJV).
4. Joshua Divided the Land Among the Tribes. "So the LORD gave to Israel all the land of which He had sworn to give to their fathers, and they took possession of it and dwelt in it. And the LORD gave them rest all around, according to all that He had sworn to their fathers" (Joshua 21:43,44a.). Later Joshua tells the Reubenites, the Gadites, and half the tribe of Manasseh, "And now the LORD your God has given rest to your brethren, as He promised them" (Joshua 22:4). Taking possession of the land, conquering and subduing enemies means entering into REST. The word REST bring us full circle. In an earlier section, under the heading, Perspective From the Book of Hebrews, we quoted from Hebrews 4:9,10. "There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has himself also ceased from his works as God did from His." Something not said then, which is fitting at this point, is that:
5. The Hebrew Name—Joshua—is the Same as the Greek name—Jesus—in the New Testament (see Heb. 4:8). It should be as clear as crystal that all the things said in Hebrews about entering (under the leadership of Joshua) into the place of promised rest, a.k.a. living the victorious Christian life, facing and defeating chariots of iron, etc., are applicable to each one of us . . . now . . . today. For example, we may take the following words as seriously as when first written to the recipients of the Hebrew letter:
"Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, in the day of trial in the wilderness, where your fathers tested Me, tried Me, and saw my works forty years. Therefore I was angry with that generation, and said, ’They always go astray in their heart, and they have not known My ways.’ So I swore in My wrath, ’They shall not enter My rest’" (Heb. 3:7-11 NKJV).
"Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience" (Heb. 4:11 NKJV).
6. Our Joshua (Jesus) Has Conquered Every Foe. I have deliberately saved this statement until the last. First of all, because it really doesn’t need saying. Secondly, because it "goes without saying"
that Christ has conquered every foe yet we need to be reminded that his is the absolute reason or basis for our ability to face chariots of iron without fear. Hear Jesus say,
"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" (Mt. 28:18 NKJV).
"Behold, I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall be any means hurt you" (Lk. 10:19 NKJV).
And the Prophet Daniel declares,
"His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed" (Dan. 7:14b).
(This study is continued in Part Three)
