Ephraim & Manasseh inherited some of the most fertile land in Canaan. Although they were the most blessed, they failed to do the most basic task of ridding the land of the Canaanites. They choose rather to keep them as servants which cost them in later years when the Canaanites would reverse the roles.
Josh. 16 “This is the inheritance of the tribe of the children of Ephraim by their families. And the separate cities for the children of Ephraim were among the inheritance of the children of Manasseh, all the cities with their villages. And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.” LESSON - The Canaanites were a symbol for sin. God wanted these people destroyed, not placed in servitude. Much like the children of Israel, Christians tend to play with sin rather than putting it to death. We all have pet sins which we seek to control rather than recognizing its bondage potential on us. We should learn the lessons of history and follow the directives found in scripture regarding sin.
Col. 3:2-10 “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things' sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience: In the which ye also walked some time, when ye lived in them.
But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him”
~Mike