Cure for Complaining
W. Hoyt, D. D. Joshua 17:1-18 There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was the firstborn of Joseph; to wit, for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh… This, then, is the cure for our complainings — the memory of the Lord's promises of help; and then the brave going forth against the causes of the complainings, and thus the curing of them. 1. Apply this cure for complainings to the winning of culture. How often we complain, "in our circumstances, with our limitations, with our business, &c., no chance for culture." And we settle to the newspaper or fill up the chance moments with a hurried reading of the last novel — not the last best; too often the last worst. But the cure for such complainings is, with God's help, to go forth and seize culture. Take up the Chautauqua scheme for reading, for example. Take it up, go through with it, put the energy into doing your work and not into complaining, and you will grow in culture surprisingly. 2. Apply this cure for complainings to the maintaining a consistent Christian profession. Think of the saints in Caesar's household. By God's help determine to be a saint, whatever your circumstances. 3. Apply this cure for complainings to the duty of becoming Christian. What Canaanites and Perrizzites of objections men are apt to make — e.g., do not understand whole Bible; it is a hard thing to serve God; it is gloomy to be Christian; I am afraid God will not receive me; so many hypocrites among professing Christians; I don't know that I am one of the elect; I have not time; I am not fit; I will meet a good deal of opposition; I don't feel; I am afraid if I do become a Christian I will not hold out; I cannot believe; I am willing to be a secret Christian, &c., illimitably. But stop complainingly conjuring such objections. Go forth in the promised help of Christ to Christ, any way. So at once get cure for your complainings and surely find the forgiveness and peace of Christ. (W. Hoyt, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: There was also a lot for the tribe of Manasseh; for he was the firstborn of Joseph; to wit, for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead: because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan. WEB: This was the lot for the tribe of Manasseh, for he was the firstborn of Joseph. As for Machir the firstborn of Manasseh, the father of Gilead, because he was a man of war, therefore he had Gilead and Bashan.