February 20, 2026 - Numbers 34-36

We are nearing the end of the wilderness wandering and getting close to the Promised Land.  “The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, ‘Command the people of Israel, and say to them, When you enter the land of Canaan (this is the land that shall fall to you for an inheritance, the land of Canaan as defined by its borders), your south side shall be . . .” (34:1-2) and the northern and western and eastern borders in turn.  In addition to the tribal allotments that would be mapped out, the Levites were to receive pasturelands around the cities, and cities of refuge would be established.  Laws were established to regulate the use of the cities of refuge:  who could flee there, under what circumstances, and how to deal with those seeking refuge from charges against them.  Remember the daughters of Zelophedad whom the Lord allowed to inherit lands if there was not a male heir?  Well, now, Moses is instructed as to how to deal with such a female who then marries into a tribe other than her present tribe.  So, what do we do with all this?  The thing that stands out to me is that the Lord is a God of order.  We live in a present age of anarchists seemingly going wild.  And even short of anarchist sentiments, many desire to live without personal constraint.  God knows better.  He instructed Israel, and he instructs us, how to live good and orderly and godly lives that bring blessing and justice.  To reject God’s instructions is misery, to obey is blessing.

God of the ages, whose almighty hand

leads forth in beauty all the starry band

of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,

our grateful songs before thy throne arise.

Refresh thy people on their toilsome way;

lead us from night to never-ending day;

fill all our lives with love and grace divine,

and glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.   --Daniel C. Roberts (1876)