Walking Through Ephesians
“Day 26 (Numbers 26)”
Categories: 40 Days in the WildernessTheir Inheritance
At Kadesh-Barnea and at Baal Peor Israel had sinned greatly and God had chastened them but in His grace he forgave their disobedience and gave them a new start (Numbers 26).
First, there was the second numbering. By the time Israel had entered Zared valley the old generation had died off, except for Joshua and Caleb. And, very soon Moses would die.
Moses had two purposes in mind when he took the second census. As with the first, he needed to know how many men were available that were fighting age. Second, he wanted to get an idea how much land each tribe would need when Israel settled in Canaan (Numbers 26:52-56). Settling in the land required giving the tribes their inheritance.
First, there was the tribal inheritance (No. 26:52-56). Once the land had been conquered and God had given His people rest, Joshua, Eleazar and ten tribal representative would cast lots to determine each tribe’s portion of the land.
Next, came the Levitical inheritance. The Levites were not given their own land to possess but were scattered throughout the nation in forty-eight assigned cities. This was a fulfillment of Jacob’s death bed prophecy where he said the sons of Levi would be scattered widely. Also, by scattering them through the land the Levites had a better opportunity to teach the Law to more people and influence them to be faithful to the Lord. God was their inheritance so the Levites needed no land. The Levites were to devote themselves wholly to the service of the Lord and His people, receiving what they needed from God’s hand through His people.
As God scattered the Levites through the land to teach the law, it seems a forerunner of the great commission the Lord would give His twelve apostles. He told them to go into all the world to teach the gospel. All men needed to know the gospel so they could be saved. Then, they were told to teach those they had taught. All needed to know the will of God. God has always provided an opportunity for man to know Him and His will. While no land is inherited, as then. There is the promise of “The Promised Land.” An eternal home with God.
