The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him today and what came to my heart and mind in Numbers 36:9,
"No inheritance may pass from one tribe to another, for each Israelite tribe is to keep the land it inherits."
An issue arose concerning the allotments for the various tribes and clans for when Israel entered into the promised land. This resulted from events described in Numbers 27:1-11, where a man, Zelophehad, had only daughters. The daughters had approached Moses for redress concerning the allotment of land. Here, the Lord determined that no portion of any inheritance would be lost among the various tribes and clans within Israel.
The writer of Hebrews speaks of Israel's entrance into the promised land as entering into the Lord's rest. He likens our entrance into God's family as that of Israel entering into Canaan, the Lord's rest. "Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief. Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. Now we who have believed enter that rest..." Hebrews 3:16-4:3.
Israel's entrance into the promised land is a type of the believer today who enters into God's family by faith, "For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience." Hebrews 4:8-11.
What strikes me this morning as I read about how the Lord would not allow any inheritance in the promised land to be lost to a tribe or clan, I am reminded that our inheritance, as believers, in the kingdom of God will never be taken from us. We will not lose any of it. We hold it as a prized possession that the Lord has given us, never to be taken way, never to be lost.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice..." 1 Peter 1:3-6.
"No inheritance may pass from one tribe to another, for each Israelite tribe is to keep the land it inherits."
An issue arose concerning the allotments for the various tribes and clans for when Israel entered into the promised land. This resulted from events described in Numbers 27:1-11, where a man, Zelophehad, had only daughters. The daughters had approached Moses for redress concerning the allotment of land. Here, the Lord determined that no portion of any inheritance would be lost among the various tribes and clans within Israel.
The writer of Hebrews speaks of Israel's entrance into the promised land as entering into the Lord's rest. He likens our entrance into God's family as that of Israel entering into Canaan, the Lord's rest. "Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies perished in the wilderness? And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed? So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief. Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it. For we also have had the good news proclaimed to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because they did not share the faith of those who obeyed. Now we who have believed enter that rest..." Hebrews 3:16-4:3.
Israel's entrance into the promised land is a type of the believer today who enters into God's family by faith, "For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will perish by following their example of disobedience." Hebrews 4:8-11.
What strikes me this morning as I read about how the Lord would not allow any inheritance in the promised land to be lost to a tribe or clan, I am reminded that our inheritance, as believers, in the kingdom of God will never be taken from us. We will not lose any of it. We hold it as a prized possession that the Lord has given us, never to be taken way, never to be lost.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice..." 1 Peter 1:3-6.
How exciting and energizing is that?! That is something to rejoice in!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just reply and let me know.
No comments:
Post a Comment