Normally this morning I would have written a Lesson from Joshua 17:14-18. Discussing the behaviour of the Tribe of Joseph, both negatively and positively. But years ago here on the Website I did such a study. It is still available on our “Archive” Page. Or you can use a search engine (I just did) looking for Dr. Mike Bagwell.org, Joshua 14:14-17. The eight Lesson Series is named “Claiming Your Inheritance.”
So … I look elsewhere in Joshua chapter 17 for today’s Lesson, not wanting to be repetitive. And the Lord led me to verse 6, an Old Testament anomaly!
“Because the daughters of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh’s sons had the land of Gilead.” Joshua 16:6
The following statement is not critical of Scripture, not al all. It is in fact, accurate. The Old Testament culture is strongly patriarchal. Meaning “ruled by the men.” And it should be! Quoting Paul who is quoting Moses who is quoting God: “For Adam was first formed, then Eve.” 1 Timothy 2:13, immediately followed by: “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.” Wow!
There’s much more: “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.” Again, patriarchal, Ephesians 5:22-23.
In reality, with only one exception (earlier in Joshua 17, I might add) that I can remember, the boys (men) always were given the family inheritance! Dad to Son to Grandson, etc. The girls were basically omitted! Of course they could “marry” into an inheritance.
That’s partly what makes Joshua 17:6 so unique. “Because the DAUGHTERS of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons: and the rest of Manasseh’s sons had the land of Gilead.”
The girls were included here!
They got their share of the land!
What’s the point today?
Just this … “God is no respecter of persons.” Acts 10:34
And in our day, the “dispensation of the Grace of God” (Ephesians 3:2) as Paul called it, ladies can enjoy the goodness of God as well as the men!
Ladies can have prayers answered, as well as men.
Ladies can serve God too, and in more ways that we have sometimes realized. (Not pastoring a Church, not usurping authority, but in a hundred other ways.)
And ladies can (and should) receive honor and respect for their faithful Christians lives!
Where would our small Bible-believing Churches be today without their ladies?
The choirs would be nearly empty!
The children untaught!
The Church a lot less sweet!
And even the offerings would be lower, much lower in some cases!
I am glad that even way back in the Joshua era … “the DAUGHTERS of Manasseh had an inheritance among his sons ….”
Some of God’s most sensitive, discerning followers are feminine.
And Paul (whom we love to quote on the “submission” issue) also wrote: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28
I want to thank the Lord today for the godly ladies He has placed in my life. Two Grandmothers, a Mom, one Wife in heaven and one by my side as I write these words!
They all deserve their “share!”
— Dr. Mike Bagwell