The Division of the Land
26: 52-56
The division of the Land DIG: What were the two principles involved in the division of the Promised Land? Who was responsible to supervise the location of the different tribes by lot? How were the sizes of the different tribal lands decided? Do you think this process is fair? Why, why not? How was this like the distribution of crowns?
REFLECT: How important is the physical inheritance of the Land compared to the spiritual inheritance believers possess? Explain. If, as some would say, the physical inheritance is not important, then why does the Torah put so much emphasis on it? Why do the prophets, like Ezeki’el 40-48 and John 14, tell us about a future physical inheritance?
The tribes were given their inheritance of land by lot and by size.
ADONAI told Moshe that there were two principles that would determine the location of each tribe and the size of their land. Until the end, Moses was still in charge of such matters – more bittersweet experiences that marked his last days. The land is to be parceled out among these as a possession to be inherited, according to the number of names. The Second Census (to see link click Ec – The Second Census: The New Generation of Hope) had a military purpose, but it also had another purpose, the division of the Promised Land. First, those tribes with more persons were given a greater inheritance, and to those with fewer were given a smaller inheritance – each family’s inheritance is to be given according to the number counted in it. Secondly, however, the location of each tribe was to be determined by lot (Judges 14:1-2, 15:1, 16:1, 17:1, 18:1-11, 19:1, 10, 17, 24, 32 and 40). They will inherit according to the names of the tribes of their ancestors (Reuben, Judah, Manasseh, etc). These two principles, by size and by lot, come together when we learn that the location of each tribe was to be parceled out by lot, but the size of their land was determined by the number of each tribe as determined in the Second Census. The Land was God’s gift to His people; hence, their shares in it were their inheritance from Him.614
This is like the distribution of crowns (see the commentary on Second Corinthians Bc – For We Must All Appear Before the Bema of Messiah), the larger the tribe, the larger the inheritance. This mirrors believers today. All believers are going to heaven (see the commentary on The Life of Christ Ms – The Eternal Security of the Believer), like the tribes, they all made it to the Promised Land. But some were rewarded with more land than others based upon their walk with ADONAI. This will be true for us. Our walk with the Lord will determine the size of our inheritance for eternity. Paul tells us: But each one’s work will be shown for what it is; the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire – the fire will test the quality of each one’s work (First Cor 3:13). And have seen in these tribes, that some lost so much because of their disobedience.
Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You for Your Awesome steadfast love! Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you (Psalms 63:3). Your wonderful grace and Messiah’s death and resurrection, paved the way for You to redeem those who put their trust in You (Ephesians 1:13). In Him we have redemption through His blood – the removal of trespasses – in keeping with the richness of His grace (Ephesians 1:7). You see all that happens and You are totally fair always. There was a reason why different tribes received different land. In the same way there will be reasons behind which rewards You give out and to whom You give them in heaven. You not only judge by outward actions, but You also judge by the attitude of the heart (First Samuel 16:7). I love You and desire to serve you with all my heart. Receiving a reward is not the issue. I love You and want to praise and please You! My desire is to praise You for all eternity! In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection. Amen
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