Title: Our Land (Numbers 34:13-29)
Contents
Our land (Numbers 34:13-29)
This chapter presents the north, east, west, north, and south boundaries of the land of Canaan that will be obtained in the war of conquest, the share to be allocated to each tribe, and the list of the chieftains of each tribe who will draw lots when determining the territory of each tribe. In this way, God has unfolded the blueprint for the future now in order to reveal that he is the owner of the land. Indeed, the Promised Land of Canaan was not a mere conquered land obtained through human bloody and sweaty efforts, but a welfare that God had prepared and gifted for His beloved people. '(Psalm 16:6) The area that was lined up for me is in a beautiful place; how beautiful is my inheritance.' Indeed, God is the One who determines the habitation and limits of human beings, and he personally asserts the foundation and limits of our lives today. '(Acts 17:26) He made all the tribes of mankind from one blood, and made them dwell in all the earth, and established their ages and set the boundaries of their dwelling.'
1. How far can we go?
Just as God taught each tribe of Israel the boundaries of the land, it is important for us to know the limits and possibilities of our lives. We must first know how far we can go. To know God and the hope of his calling, to know the riches of glory that comes from indwelling us as it beats within us, and to know the power of the resurrection that beats within us and inspires us to share in the risen life of Jesus. It is our privilege. But day by day we suffer and lose our privileges by the interference of sin. Although we are sharply aware of our temptations on a daily basis, we unwittingly become enslaved to them and lose our way. But day by day the Holy Spirit comes into us and guides us to build a perfect love for God and man in us, to the limits of our light. Every day Jesus makes us more perfect in us.
2. Where should we stay?
For a more complete life, we need to know where to stay. And as each tribe of Israel stayed within their borders, we should try to stay where we are supposed to stay. Therefore, until the Lord gives Himself to us as a gift, may we not be blameless but blameless, that we may not be safe from the onslaught of temptation, but be delivered from temptation, that we may not be safe from the pressure of adversity, but remain in perfect peace. We cannot dare to say that something is dead within us, but we should expect to die to sin and ourselves, to live as the salt and light of the world, and to be saved from this evil world. And we must stay in the midst of all that we expect and ask for. No attention should be paid to anything outside those boundaries. We must stay within the boundaries that God wants us to have. No matter how Satan and the devil attack like a roaring lion, they must not deviate from the boundaries of God's Word as God's people.
3. Our Sovereign.
When God gave the boundaries of the land of Canaan to the Israelites, the Canaanites were still living in the land of Canaan. Nevertheless, God drew the boundaries precisely as if Israel were already living in the land. This was in order to reveal that the owner of the land was God Himself, along with God's strong will that he would surely give it to him. That is, the land was not won by Israel's efforts, but was given only by God's sovereign work. The land was given to the people without merit. Since the people were deeply aware of this fact by the lottery, they could never complain if the lottery resulted in a rather unsatisfactory result. This fact also applies to our saints. The boundaries of all things that happen to us on this earth are set by God, and God Himself is in control. Therefore, at any time and under any circumstance, we must confess that God is the owner of all circumstances and live with gratitude.