Numbers 34

In this chapter we learn that God had a plan for how the land was to be divided up. He tells the children of Israel the basic layout of the land, what the borders would be, but he DOES NOT tell them who is to live where. He makes it clear that only 9 ½ tribes would be a part of this “dividing up” process, Ruben, Gad, and half of Manasseh had exempted themselves from enjoying the promised land by choosing to take land on the outside.

Instead of telling them who gets what, God chose 2 men, Eleazar the priest, and Joshua, Israel’s future leader. These two men, who we know were full of wisdom and the Holy Spirit, were appointed to the task of deciding who would get what land.

Eleazar literally means “the help of God”, and Joshua means “the savior or deliverer”. I think these are very appropriate names for the guys that God had decided were going to divide up the land. It was something that couldn’t be done properly without the Lord’s involvement; they were going to need the help of God. It was Joshua who would lead them into that land; driving the enemies out ahead of them… he would deliver them from the wilderness, hooking them up with a sweet new pad in Canaan.

Under these two men, a representative was chosen from each of the 9 ½ tribes. Together these men were to determine what the Lord’s will was concerning the land. They would decide who would get what, and how much of it they would get.

The Lord works in similar ways in our lives sometimes… He gives us the general directions, but then we need the Holy Spirit, “the help of God” to make the details clear. It was only as the Israelites submitted to Eleazar and Joshua that they were able to determine God’s will. Likewise, when you and I submit to the Holy Spirit, and are truly following Jesus, the will of God will be made clear. Let Jesus lead you into the land of promise, and allow the Holy Spirit to show you the specific things that you are to be doing with your life.