John Calvin Commentary Joshua 17:14

"And the children of Joseph spake unto Joshua, saying, Why hast thou given me but one lot and one part for an inheritance, seeing I am a great people, forasmuch as hitherto Jehovah hath blessed me?" — Joshua 17:14 (ASV)

And the children of Joseph spoke to Joshua, etc. Although they dress up their complaint with some semblance of an excuse, they still dishonestly disguise the fact that more was included in one lot than was appropriate for one tribe. I do not know, however, whether or not the lot was cast indefinitely for the sons of Joseph; it certainly does not seem fitting that it should be so.

Joshua and the other dividers were not unaware that Ephraim and Manasseh formed two heads, or two stems; and it has repeatedly been said before that the land was divided into ten tribes, which number was not accurate unless the tribe of Manasseh was considered distinct from that of Ephraim. It is certain, therefore, that they had not fallen into such a gross blunder as to throw the two names into one lot. Now, to conceal two tribes under the name of Joseph, in order to defraud them of half their right, would have been intolerable injustice. We may add, that the domain of each was distinctly explained and described by its proper boundaries.

We are therefore led to conclude that when the lots were cast for the two tribes, the admirable counsel of God arranged that the brothers, who had a common father, should be contiguous and neighbors to each other. It is unworthy of them, therefore, to complain and plead that only one inheritance had been given to them, because Joshua had neither such heartlessness nor so much malice as to defraud them of a clear right either through thoughtlessness or envy.

But the falsehood of their complaint concerning narrow boundaries lay in this: that they counted all that was yet to be acquired by warlike prowess as nothing, as if the lot had assigned portions to the other tribes only in subjugated territory. Joshua, accordingly, in a single sentence, refutes and disposes of their plea, and retorts with an accusation against them, who were trying to bring him into disrepute.

“If your resources and your numbers are so great,” he asks, “why do you not advance against the enemy, whose country has been given to you? Nor will the outcome disappoint you, if, trusting to the promise of God, you boldly proceed to the inheritance which he has bestowed upon you.”

We see how, although proper provision had been made for them, they were so blinded by sloth as to complain that they lacked space, because they were unwilling to move their finger to seek the full possession of their inheritance. Therefore, this passage teaches us that if at any time we think less is provided for us than is due, we ought carefully to shake off all delays, and not rashly throw upon others the blame which is inherent in ourselves.