Joshua 17:17 (KJV)
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:
The play on words in this passage has always grabbed my attention. I’ve tried to preach it a few times and written on it often in my devotions. Manasseh knew they were a “great people,” but they were thinking strictly in terms of population. Their tribe was larger than many others, so their request was simple: “Give us more land—there are too many of us for this space.”
Joshua takes their statement and subtly turns it into a challenge: “If thou be a great people…” He shifts the focus. The real issue isn’t how many people stand in a group—what matters is the character of the people. (Churches could learn from this. A crowded auditorium means very little if faith is weak. Numbers aren’t the measure—spiritual strength is.)
Joshua agrees to their request for more territory, but the land they wanted required faith to conquer. Immediately, Manasseh shrinks back. “We can’t take that land. The Canaanites have iron chariots.” Suddenly their so-called greatness collapses. And honestly, that kind of humbling is sometimes necessary.
It’s right there—after their confidence in the flesh is broken—that Joshua can say, “Thou art a great people, and hast great power.” True greatness never rests in human strength. Greatness comes from God working in those who walk humbly.
“Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
#GreatPeopleGreatFaith #TruePowerIsSpiritual #FaithOverNumbers #StrengthInHumility #JoshuaLeadershipLessons
Greatness Starts Where Pride Ends: The Measure of a People
📖 Are you measuring greatness the way God does?
So many people chase numbers—crowds, followers, results—but Joshua reminds us that true greatness comes from faith, courage, and humility before the Lord.
👉 What do you think matters most to God: size or spirit?
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