DBG - February 28 - Numbers 34-36

In this chapter we have a description of the borders of the land given to Israel and the leaders who will

vs. 1-15 – The borders of the Promised Land are described.  I am attaching a map that shows the borders here and in Ezekiel 47 compared to the modern state of Israel.  This does not include the territory of the tribes that settled on the east of Jordan.  Compare this territory to that promised to Abraham in Genesis 15:16-21.

vs. 16-29 – The leaders of the tribes are appointed to oversee the division of the land into tracts for each family.

In this chapter we have a the establishment of cities for the Levites among the other tribes and the cities of refuge.

vs. 1-8 – Here the provision for the settlement of the Levites in cities throughout Israel is given.  The tribe of Levi had no territory for itself but was spread among the other tribes.  48 cities are appointed to the Levites, and the land surrounding them is designated for their use.  The list of these cities is found in Joshua 21 and I Chronicles 6.

vs. 9-34 – Six of the Levite cities are designated as “cities of refuge”.  The purpose of these cities was to provide safety to someone who accidentally or involuntarily caused the death of another.  The Law is quite clear, and reiterated here, that a murdered was to be punished by death.  For the guilty of murder there was no refuge offered.  For the innocent of murder there was safety if they could reach one of these safe havens and remain therein.  After the death of the High Priest they could freely leave in peace and safety.

In this chapter a practical question regarding inheritance is addressed.

vs. 1-4 – Men from the tribe of Manasseh came with a practical question referring to daughters inheriting family land covered in Chapter 27.   If these women were to marry someone from outside their own tribe, who would continue to claim the land?  It is clear that God had intended the territory allotted to each tribe to remain in their respective possession, but here is a situation where that might be bypassed.

vs. 5-9 – God’s solution is that women in such case may only marry within their own tribe, keeping the land within its ancestral ownership.

vs. 10-12 – The daughters of Zelophehad followed this command and married their cousins to keep their inheritance in the tribe of Manasseh.

While these may not have the great theological depth of other portions of the Law, we most note again the intense practicality of God in His commands to His people.  God is not just the Lord over “church” things, but of everyday life.  Our everyday life should reflect His character, holiness, and orderliness.

Our hymn today is one of two songs I found written by Fanny Crosby titled “The City of Refuge”.  I points us to seek our refuge in Christ.

1. O, guilty one, haste to the city of refuge,
Where mercy awaits thee, so boundless and free;
O haste with thy burden of sin and of sorrow;
Thy loving Redeemer is waiting for thee.

Chorus:
O fly to the refuge!
To the refuge sure and free;
With thy sin and sorrow;
Jesus waits for thee.

2. O, guilty one, haste! for the day beams are fading,
Afar on the desert; say, why wilt thou roam?
The arms of the Saviour will gladly enfold thee;
He longs with forgiveness to welcome thee home.

3. O, weary one, haste! for the night clouds pursue thee;
How darkly they frown on the cold mountain's brow;
The voice of the tempest is wailing around thee,
And none but the Saviour can shelter thee now.