Thurs.’s Devo -Being Double Fruitful

Read: Joshua 16:1-18:28; Luke 19:1-27; Psalm 87:1-7; Proverbs 13:11
Joseph’s inheritance was split between his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. Manasseh was the oldest, yet when Jacob blessed the two he crossed his arms placing his right hand on Ephraim’s head and left hand on Manasseh’s head making the sign of the cross. That is the picture of their lives. Ephraim means “double ash heap: I shall be doubly fruitful” and Manasseh means “causing to forget”. Manasseh is a picture of our first birth into sin. We are an ash heap but we shall be doubly fruitful when we are born again. Ephraim speaks of our second birth when we are born-again. God will cause us to forget all the sorrow of sin and wash us clean. Interestingly, in the land of Manasseh’s territory is the city of Megiddo the place where Islam reigns and where the last battle will be fought. It is also the mountains: Ebal and Gerizim where the blessings and the curses were read from and the people had to choose which they would live in. It is also where the city Ashtaroth is which is a stronghold of idolatry. That is all in the unregenerate past.
In the land of Ephraim is Shiloh which is a name for Jesus meaning “the peaceful one.” Ephraim’s land was north of Jerusalem. Ephraim was much smaller than Manasseh’s land because the world is much larger than the remnant. Shiloh was also where the tent of meeting was set up.
Joshua encountered the same problems that Moses did. The people complained that they couldn’t take their land because it was too hard and the enemies were too powerful. Joshua was less tolerant of the people than Moses. He pretty much told them to put on their big boy britches and go fight and take their land. I have the feeling that if God had wanted to destroy the people for their complaining, Joshua might had let him. Lol!
There were seven tribes that hadn’t received any of their land yet and Joshua rebuked them for not taking their inheritance. We have the whole Bible full of promises that are ours. I wonder if God gets frustrated with us because we choose to live with the enemy in our houses.
In Luke, we see true repentance. Zacchaeus saw Jesus and Jesus called him by name. Jesus chose to fellowship with him and Zacchaeus repented for all the money he had extorted from the people. Not only was he sorry but he wanted to repay the people more than he had stolen from them and give the poor half of what he had.
Many people are sorry for what they have done but repentance is restoring also. Repentance requires an action.
Jesus gave them a parable about responsibility and honor. Those who honor him will take the gifts and talents they are given and use them to multiply the kingdom. Those who think their gifts and talents belong to them will keep them to themselves. Those who give away will be given back. Those who hoard will live in poverty. This is speaking of natural and spiritual things.
Lord, help us to honor the things you give to us and freely give.