Scripture Reading: Joshua 16-18

In the world of storytelling, a plot twist is the moment that shifts everything. Just when the audience thinks they’ve figured it out, the unexpected happens. A friend becomes a foe. A betrayal turns into an act of sacrifice. The character we least expect emerges as the hero. With a single revelation, the entire story can take on a new meaning.

But plot twists don’t just belong in films and novels. They are woven into our lives — moments when the predictable path takes a sudden turn. Plans unravel. Expectations are overturned. Yet, just like in the most powerful stories, the twist is rarely without purpose. In the hands of a master storyteller, those unexpected turns become the very scenes that lead to redemption.

In Joshua 16–18, the Israelites stand on the verge of their inheritance. After years of wilderness wandering, the land of promise is before them. Yet, as the boundaries are drawn and territories assigned, the story takes surprising turns. Expectations are reversed. Promises, once shattered, are redeemed. And in the end, a renewal unfolds — not because everything went according to expectation, but because God’s hand was at work in the unexpected!

PLOT TWIST— Reversal of Expectations (Joshua 16)

The name of Joseph carried weight. He was the son who endured betrayal, slavery, and imprisonment, only to rise to power in Egypt. His life was marked by divine reversals — from the pit to the palace. Surely, his descendants, Ephraim and Manasseh, would receive an inheritance reflecting that same grandeur.

But when the time came for the land to be divided, Ephraim’s portion was not vast. Unlike Judah, whose expansive territory reflected its prominence, Ephraim’s allotment was comparatively small. The expected display of honor and prestige did not materialize. Yet this was not a reflection of neglect or diminished worth. Instead, it was a reminder that God’s blessings are not measured by size or grandeur. His purposes often unfold in unexpected ways.

Ironically, despite their modest inheritance, Ephraim’s influence would grow far beyond its borders. In time, the entire northern kingdom of Israel would often be referred to simply as Ephraim, a reflection of their prominence and leadership. This prophetic significance is echoed in the words of Hosea: “When Ephraim spoke, people trembled; he was exalted in Israel” (Hosea 13:1). Though their land was not vast, their legacy was undeniable.

It is easy to tie our sense of value to the magnitude of what we receive. When promotions pass us by, when dreams are delayed, or when others seem to receive more, we may question our place in God’s plan. But Scripture reminds us that the true measure of blessing is not in the abundance of what we have but in the presence of God with us. “Better is one day in Your courts than a thousand elsewhere” (Psalm 84:10).

Ephraim’s inheritance may not have been vast, but it was still divinely appointed. What mattered was not the size of their land but the One who gave it. Likewise, the gifts and opportunities God entrusts to us — no matter how small they may seem — are part of His sovereign plan. “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance” (Psalm 16:6).

PLOT TWIST— Redemption of Broken Promises (Joshua 17)

Not every plot twist is marked by disappointment. Some are the unexpected restorations that reveal God’s justice and mercy. For the daughters of Zelophehad, the story seemed destined for loss. Their father had died with no sons, and by the customs of the time, their family’s name would vanish along with their inheritance. Tradition dictated exclusion. But the God of justice had other plans.

When the daughters approached the leaders of Israel, they did not appeal with bitterness or demand with force. They stood with quiet conviction, believing that the God who brought them to the promised land would not overlook their plea. And God responded. Through their boldness, He rewrote the laws that had once excluded them, ensuring their family’s name endured (Joshua 17:3-4). What was stolen by custom was restored by God.

Yet, even after their inheritance was secured, fear lingered. The people of Manasseh, including the daughters’ extended family, faced the daunting reality of their land. Dense forests loomed, and fortified cities remained. The Canaanites, armed with iron chariots, seemed insurmountable. It would have been easy to question God’s provision. After all, wasn’t a promised inheritance supposed to come without such opposition? But Joshua’s response was unwavering. He saw what they could not — that God’s strength would meet them in their weakness.

“You are numerous and very powerful. You will have not only one allotment but the forested hill country as well. Clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours” (Joshua 17:17-18). Joshua’s confidence wasn’t misplaced. It was anchored in the certainty of God’s promises. Where the people saw obstacles, Joshua saw opportunity. He understood that God’s faithfulness did not remove challenges; it empowered His people to overcome them.

The same truth holds for us. We, too, encounter fortified cities in our own lives — circumstances that intimidate and threaten to steal our confidence. Fear whispers that the promise is too distant, the task too great. But just as God stood with Manasseh, He stands with us. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).

And what of the moments when fear wins? When we hesitate instead of pressing forward? Even then, God’s grace prevails. His commitment to us is not revoked by our weakness. The same God who restored the inheritance of Zelophehad’s daughters is the God who redeems our own failures and uncertainties. “He makes all things new”(Revelation 21:5). No brokenness is beyond His repair. No deferred promise is forgotten. And when we finally step forward in faith, we find that the very things we feared were no match for the One who goes before us!

PLOT TWIST — Renewal Through Fresh Starts (Joshua 18)

While many tribes stepped into their inheritance, seven tribes stood idle. The land was theirs by divine decree, yet hesitation gripped them. Day after day passed, and still, they did not move. Fear, complacency, or perhaps uncertainty had left them stagnant. The promise was before them, but they remained frozen.

Joshua’s words pierced through their hesitation like a wake-up call: “How long will you wait before you begin to take possession of the land that the Lord, the God of your ancestors, has given you?” (Joshua 18:3). It was a question not of condemnation but of invitation. The delay had not canceled the promise. The land was still theirs — waiting, untouched, unclaimed.

And so, the surveyors went out. The land was measured, boundaries were drawn, and the assignments were made. The promise that had once seemed distant was now tangible. Each tribe received its portion — not because they had earned it, but because God’s grace was greater than their hesitation. Even Jerusalem, a city that held no significant glory at the time, was quietly marked within the boundaries. But God saw its future.

He knew it would one day become the city where the Savior would enter on a donkey, where cries of “Hosanna” would echo, and where the final act of redemption would unfold. Through the cross and the empty tomb, the greatest plot twist in history would be revealed. “He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new’” (Revelation 21:5). What once seemed ordinary would become sacred.

And the same is true for us. Even the small, forgotten places in our lives — the dreams we’ve set aside, the promises we’ve delayed — can be touched by His renewing power. The God of second chances is still at work today. His mercy reaches beyond our hesitation. No missed step can undo His purposes. Just as the seven tribes were invited to step into what had already been given, we too are called to move forward. “His mercies are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness” (Lamentations 3:23).

When we finally rise, trembling but willing, we will find that the land is still ours to claim. The promise has not expired. And the One who called us will be faithful to lead us every step of the way.

Reflection

Life’s plot twists are not evidence of God’s absence. They are the fingerprints of a faithful Author, weaving redemption into every chapter. “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

Where are you facing an unexpected turn? Is there an obstacle that feels insurmountable, a promise that seems forgotten, or a hesitation that holds you back? Take heart. God is still writing. His hand is steady, and His purpose remains. Trust the twists. Every shift, every redirection, is leading you closer to the fullness of His plan.

Prayer

Father, thank You for the plot twists that reveal Your hand in our lives. When our plans crumble, remind us that Your purposes remain. Give us the courage to trust You through uncertainty. Redeem what is broken. Renew what feels lost. And may every turn in our story point to Your unfailing goodness.

In Jesus’ name, 

Amen.

Our Scripture reading schedule for the rest of the week:

Day	Date	Scripture Reading
Friday	March 28	Joshua 19–21
Saturday	March 29	Joshua 22–24
Sunday	March 30	Judges 1–2

In Christ,

Mrs. O 🤍