In Joshua 17 and 18, we see two stories about the Israelites settling in the land. In the first, Manassites ask Joshua for more land. His response is that the land is there’s to take and that God has already given it to them. They were fearful of those who lived there and didn’t want to work the land, yet this was their allotment. The second turns to 7 tribes who remained. None of them had claimed their land yet. Joshua sent them ahead to get them excited for the land then drew lots to push them into whatever land the lot fell on, rather than letting them figure it out eventually. In Luke 19:11-27, we see a parable that aligns with these well. A master leaves money to his servants and goes away. When he returns, he blesses those who had grown the wealth and takes from the one who hid it away. God entrusts us with his kingdom on earth. We must make good on his gifts to be considered a “good servant.” Simply accepting God’s love and grace is not enough. We should work the fields and grow what God has invested in us.
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