Numbers 34 gets us ever closer to entering the Promised Land. God spoke to Moses and gave him the exact land dimensions for their new homes. The description is detailed and the borders run from sea to sea. It begins at the Jordan River, which they will cross to enter the land, and ends at the Dead Sea. Have you ever considered why the Dead Sea is dead? The reason is probably very detailed, but the simple explanation that was given to me many years ago is that the Dead Sea has only intake and no outlet. Things run into it, but there is no outflow. It is rich with many valuable natural resources, but it lacks life. That can describe us too if we only take in truth and information but never share it with others. We can become a source of knowledge that doesn’t generate life. Life happens when we share, when we live. God assigns two men to be in “charge of distributing the inheritance….Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun”. What an assignment. These guys are to oversee the handing out of a land filled with milk and honey – the culmination of 40 years of waiting and wandering. Now that is a good gig.
God also reminds us that there will only be nine and a half tribes to deal with. Reuben, Gad and half of the tribe of Mannaseh already got their inheritance on the other side of the Jordan. They won’t be coming over to claim land. God’s approach to dealing out the land was to “assign one leader from each tribe to help”. And God was faithful to give Moses the names of the men He wanted leading. I love what it says: “These are the men God commanded to hand out the assignments of land – inheritance to the People”. This is a huge job and God has given them a solution to the overwhelming problem. He has appointed leaders to take charge and make it happen. That is often God’s way – we have seen it numerous times during Moses tenure of leading the people. Select faithful and godly men and let them lead. It was not a one man show and this task could not be either. Since Moses couldn’t go over, it had to be handed off. I am reminded of a book about becoming the kind of man God uses. That ought to be our goal. To work at holiness and godliness so when God has a job that requires someone to step up and lead or serve, He taps us on the shoulder. Are you the kind of person God would call and use? Are you walking with Him in obedience, striving to become godly in every way? God is looking for a few good men and women, to borrow a phrase from the Marines. We need to be ready to serve, trained up spiritually by our daily habits and disciplines, so we can go when He calls. Obedience is the core of that relationship. Are you ready to be used?
