A Prayer for Inheritance and Legacy: Reflecting on Joshua 17:2
"There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families." - Joshua 17:2
O Sovereign Lord, Creator of the heavens and the earth, we come before You today with hearts full of gratitude for the rich heritage that You have bestowed upon us. As we reflect on Your word in Joshua 17:2, we are reminded of the intricate unfolding of Your plans through the children of Israel; even amidst their divisions, You ensured that every tribe and family received their just portion of the Promised Land.
Lord, as it is written, "There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families." (Joshua 17:2 KJV). We recognize this moment not just as a historical account but as a divine testament to Your steadfast love and attention to detail in the life of each person. Just as You assigned land to each family, I pray that You reveal to us the spiritual inheritance that awaits us as Your children.
Dear God, help us to understand that our true inheritance is not just found in physical possessions or the world’s treasures, but in the knowledge of You, our Heavenly Father, and in the grace that You have poured over our lives through the sacrifice of Your Son, Jesus Christ. May we never forget that we belong to a royal priesthood, heirs of a heavenly kingdom, as stated in 1 Peter 2:9.
We seek Your guidance as we navigate the complexities of family legacies handed down through generations. In many ways, we are like the descendants of Manasseh, tasked with carrying forward our family identity and purpose according to Your divine will. Lord, let us not be consumed by the burden of expectations from our ancestors, but rather inspire us to forge a new legacy that aligns with Your heart. Teach us, O Lord, how to honor our families while simultaneously building a future that glorifies You.
I pray for unity within our families, much like the children of Manasseh worked collaboratively despite the manifold challenges of their inheritance. Grant us the courage to reach out to one another in love, to support and uplift each other, so that we may reflect Your grace in our relationships. Help us to celebrate the unique roles and contributions of each member of our families, as we are all created in Your image for distinct purposes.
Father, I acknowledge that there may be disputes and disagreements regarding our inheritance, just as there may have been among the tribes of Israel. Lord, please infuse us with Your spirit of reconciliation. May we be quick to listen and slow to speak, allowing Your wisdom to guide our conversations and decisions. Let forgiveness flow freely amongst us, so that no bitterness may take root, poisoning the bonds that hold our families together.
Moreover, Lord, as we embrace our generational responsibility, may we also look beyond our immediate families to the broader community of believers. Help us understand that our faith extends past our blood relations and binds us to a larger family of faith. Let us be stewards of Your love and ambassadors of Your kingdom to everyone we encounter.
In this moment of prayerful reflection, I ask that You empower us to proclaim Your goodness boldly, just as the families of Manasseh were given their allotted land. Give us the wisdom to build upon this inheritance, the wealth of grace lavished upon us, and a heart of compassion to share it with those who are less fortunate. May our lives be a testimony of Your unfathomable love and grace.
I pray this in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
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Joshua 17:2 - "There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families."
"There was also a lot for the rest of the children of Manasseh by their families; for the children of Abiezer, and for the children of Helek, and for the children of Asriel, and for the children of Shechem, and for the children of Hepher, and for the children of Shemida: these were the male children of Manasseh the son of Joseph by their families." - Joshua 17:2
Joshua 2:17 - "And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear."
Joshua 10:17 - "And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah."
Joshua 17:17 - "And Joshua spake unto the house of Joseph, even to Ephraim and to Manasseh, saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power: thou shalt not have one lot only:"
Joshua 24:17
Joshua 4:17 - "Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan."
Joshua 24:17
Joshua 24:17
Joshua 3:1-17
Joshua 6:17-25
Joshua 12:17 - "The king of Tappuah, one; the king of Hepher, one;"
Exodus 17:13 - "And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword."
"And it was told Joshua, saying, The five kings are found hid in a cave at Makkedah." - Joshua 10:17
Joshua 17:15 - "And Joshua answered them, If thou be a great people, then get thee up to the wood country, and cut down for thyself there in the land of the Perizzites and of the giants, if mount Ephraim be too narrow for thee."
Joshua 19:17 - "¶ And the fourth lot came out to Issachar, for the children of Issachar according to their families."
"Joshua therefore commanded the priests, saying, Come ye up out of Jordan." - Joshua 4:17
Joshua 21:17 - "And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,"
"And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou hast made us swear." - Joshua 2:17
Joshua 9:2 - "That they gathered themselves together, to fight with Joshua and with Israel, with one accord."
Joshua 13:17 - "Heshbon, and all her cities that are in the plain; Dibon, and Bamoth-baal, and Beth-baal-meon,"
Joshua 17:8 - "Now Manasseh had the land of Tappuah: but Tappuah on the border of Manasseh belonged to the children of Ephraim;"
Joshua 3:17 – "The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the middle of the Jordan."
Joshua 17:14 - "And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one portion to inherit, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as the LORD hath blessed me hitherto?"
Joshua 1:16-17 (KJVA) 16 And they answered Joshua, saying, All that thou commandest us we will do, and whithersoever thou sendest us, we will go. 17 According as we hearkened unto Moses in all things, so will we hearken unto thee: only the LORD thy God be with thee, as he was with Moses.
Joshua 15:17 - "And Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife."
Numbers 34:17 - "These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun."
Joshua 17:5 - "And there fell ten portions to Manasseh, beside the land of Gilead and Bashan, which were on the other side Jordan;"
Exodus 32:17 - "And when Joshua heard the noise of the people as they shouted, he said unto Moses, There is a noise of war in the camp."
Joshua 17:12 - "Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land."