Numbers 33-36: The Faithfulness of Yahweh in the Instruction of Yahweh

"These are the commandments and the rules that the LORD commanded through Moses to the people of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho." Numbers 36:13

This morning we conclude our study of the book of Numbers. Throughout this book, we have seen the Lord's faithfulness amidst his people's unfaithfulness, which we can certainly apply to our lives as we see our own sin yet God's own mercy in each and every day of our lives. The Israelites, you, and I are prone to wander from the great and loving commands of the Lord, yet he is prone to love us even though we have fallen.

In these last few chapters, we get the capstone of God's mercy in the book of Numbers. Reading through these chapters (which you should go and do, and then come back to read this devotional) may seem quite boring. If I'm being honest with you, I certainly wasn't as enthused to read about boundaries of the promised land and levitical cities as much as I was enthused to read about God raining manna down from the sky either. However, as we have discussed before, we must remember that all scripture is God-breathed and useful (1 Tim. 3:16-17), not just the parts that might make better Hollywood movies.

Nevertheless, what we find in these last few chapters of Numbers is the Lord's instruction for his people upon entering the Promised Land. Now, let's not get ahead of ourselves, they aren't entering into the Promised Land quite yet. We will find that great and mighty day in the book of Joshua. We still have the entire book of Deuteronomy to go through. However, before that happens, the Lord lays out some final commands concerning the land. Let us look at them briefly.

First, the Lord lays out in these chapters the boundaries of the land. The Israelites were commanded to enter into the Promised Land, but where was it? Well, God tells them the exact dimensions. Second, the Lord tells the people who ought to be their leaders according to each clan. Anyone who reads any world history book will tell you that complete chaos happens without leadership. Thus, God sets in place some leadership among the clans of the people that all might remain peaceful. Third, the Lord lays out the laws for the Levitical cities that would lie in the promised land. Six of these cities would be cities of refuge for those who committed great sins unintentionally, that they might not be accused, ashamed, or murdered by their adversaries. The other 42 of these cities (as well as the 6 of refuge) would be where the Levites resided, that they might dwell among and teach the people of God in every tribe. Last, we find the Lord laying out some commands for the inheritance of the land. These chapters show us how each tribe's inheritance must remain to his own tribe. In other words, a man from the tribe of Manasseh could not sell his inheritance to a man from the tribe of Reuben. This may seem insignificant, but I promise you that it will come up later.

Well, perhaps reading over those laws is at least a little exciting (I hope so at least.), and although we could look at each one of them in-depth to observe the heart of God, let us zoom out this morning and realize the big picture: God has provided where he has commanded. He has called his people to the Promised Land, but he has also given them instructions on how to get there and what to do once they are there. He did not merely leave them out to dry; he has given them all they needed to be faithful to himself.

Likewise, let us realize that the same God who was faithful in providing for the Israelites then is the same God who is faithful in providing for us now. Where the Lord calls, he will provide. There is no need to fear the instruction of the Lord because he has granted to us all that we need for life and godliness (2 Pet. 1:3). Furthermore, he has granted us with Christ who is our ultimate Shepherd, as well as our City of Refuge, that we might not fear. Praise the Lord! Who has both called us to a high calling as well as provided for us amidst our greatest need, that is, the inability to carry out what he has commanded.