PRAYER - "Manoah's Prayer"
Again, Israel sinned against God, and oppressors overtook them: Philistines - for forty year. God sent an angel to Manoah's barren wife, informing them that they would have a son (Samson). He would begin to deliver Israel from the Philistines. The angel ordered him to be a Nazarite, but Manoah wanted to know how they should raise him. He prayed that God would send the angel again to clarify the instructions. Ask God again, when you do not understand.

Judges 13:9 - "...God hearkened to the voice of Manoah; and the angel of God came again unto the woman."

PRINCIPALS - "Caleb's Son-In-Law"

Joshua 15 contains a tedious description of the land God assigned to the tribe of Judah. Caleb received a portion including a place called Kirjathsepher, and offered his daughter as wife for any man who would conquer it. Othniel volunteered, took the city, and won Caleb's daughter, Achsah. Caleb's new son-in-law became a great hero - the first judge in Israel after Joshua and Caleb died. Heroes tend to inspire other heroes.

Joshua 15:17 - "...Othniel the son of Kenaz, the brother of Caleb, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife."

PRINCIPLES - "Robbing Bees and Milking Cows"

The land given to Ephraim and Manasseh was the choicest of all the lands, but they complained of the Canaanites with their chariots of iron, and of the mountains with their heavy woods. Joshua simply told them, "You're a great people. Go and take it!" In this land which flowed with milk and honey, they were about to learn that you have to rob the bees and milk the cows.

Joshua 17:17-18 - "And Joshua spake, ...saying, Thou art a great people, and hast great power... thou shalt cut it down, ...and thou shalt drive out the Canaanites."

PROPHECIES - "Joseph's Inheritance"

From his childhood, Joseph seemed to be under the powerful influence of prophetic destiny, due to his favor with God's chosen man, Jacob. Once inside the Promised Land, Joseph's inheritance included some famous places: Bethel - where Abraham and Jacob met the Lord; Jericho - first city taken; and many other cities. This land of Ephraim and Manasseh stretched from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, lush and well-watered; the choicest of properties.

Joshua 16:1,3 - "And the lot of the children of Joseph fell from Jordan... and the goings out thereof are at the sea."