Numbers Chapter 34
One thing we know that humans have always argued and fought over, is land. In this chapter God will make it clear where the boundaries would be of the promised land otherwise known as Canaan. Israel would know that the land they would possess was an inheritance from God. While they would have to go in and conquer the land from the current inhabitants it was land that was given by God to Israel. And to this day, the land within those boundaries set by God, should be occupied by the Jews but we know they only occupy a portion of what God intended for them.
This is the same land that God promised to Abraham in Genesis 15:18-21, and then to his son Isaac in Genesis 26:4, and then to his son Jacob in Genesis 28:13-14. This is the land that was to be divided amongst the sons of Jacob (or Israel). God kept His covenant promise.
The division of the land amongst the twelve tribes of Israel was also orchestrated by God. We know from previous chapters that the tribes of Reuben and Gad had already been given land east of the Jordan River as well as half of the tribe of Manasseh. Manasseh had half of their inheritance of land on the east side and half on the west side of the Jordan.
Let's Reflect
1. It may have surprised you to read where the borders were considering everything happening in present day Israeli border struggles. The Bible makes it very clear that the western border of the land was to have an easily distinguishable line of demarcation. What marked the border on the west side for Israel?
2. In these verses that describe the exact lines of the border of Canaan on the north, east and south sides there is a word that is repeated. What is that word? God did not want the nation of Israel to think that they could be greedy and possess more than He had given to them.
3. Verse 13 tells us that the land will be divided by lot. God will providentially guide the drawing of lots to ensure that the land is divided in the way He saw best for each of the tribes. It is amazing to think about the fact that God knows exactly what these tribes will need both in their present day and in the future. God asked men to be put in charge of the division (probably to announce and enforce the decisions made). How many men were chosen (hand-picked by God) for this task?
4. The last verse tells us that God took care of what could have been a catalyst for contention amongst the tribes. How is it worded in verse 29 that God did this?
