Journal Through the Bible: Week 24 Friday

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Numbers 26:52-27:23

The life of Moses was coming to an end. He had been shepherding God's chosen people for almost 40 years. The time had come to pass the shepherd's staff, or in Moses' case his rod, over to the new shepherd chosen by God to care for His flock.

Does God issue any commands in this passage?

• God commanded that the land of inheritance be divided according to the numbers from the census that had just been taken. Large tribes would receive larger portions than the smaller tribes. The land was to be divided by lots that were drawn. The tribe of Levi was not to receive an inheritance.
• The older generation was not to have an inheritance either except for Caleb and Joshua, the two spies who did not rebel against God. They were the only two of the older generation that were allowed to inherit in the land. Everyone else died in the wilderness over the 39 years of wandering.
• God listened to the request of the daughters of Zelophehad and granted that daughters of men who had no sons would inherit their father's portion to keep his name alive in Israel. God further explained that the possession could be inherited by a person's near relation, perhaps a brother, if he died childless.
• God told Moses to go up onto Mount Abarim to see the Promised Land, a land he would not be allowed to possess because of his sin at the waters of Meribah.
• God commanded Moses and Eleazar, the high priest, to ordain Joshua before the congregation as their leader and shepherd.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised that the Holy Spirit was upon Joshua and that he would be the shepherd of the people.

Does this passage teach anything about Jesus?

• Joshua is a type of Christ. His name means "savior" just as Jesus' name means "savior." Joshua was chosen to lead God's people into their possession. Jesus is the Chosen to lead God's people into their possession. 
• Moses asks God specifically to appoint a shepherd for the people: to go out before them, go in before them, lead them out and bring them in. Jesus is the Good Shepherd and all who follow Him are His sheep. He goes before us (the firstborn of the resurrection). He goes in before us (He is at the right hand of God right now making intercession for us until such a time as He presents us to the Father). He leads us out (specifically, out of sin). And He leads us in (He leads us into a relationship with God the Father and He will ultimately lead us Home to our Father either through death or through His coming for those who are alive and remain until that day).

Does this passage teach anything about yet-future events?

• The New Testament teaches that in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, male nor female, when it comes to salvation. (See Galatians 3:28, 29) This would also mean that in matters of eternity, a person's gender or nationality will not deter anyone from receiving their inheritance in God's Kingdom.