Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Numbers 34-36

In chapter 34 verses 19-28 God listed the leaders of each tribe of Israel who would oversee the partitioning of the land of Canaan.  They were led by the high priest and Moses replacement.  These leaders were not the children of the leaders mentioned in Number 1 who oversaw the first census of Israel.  God selected them for this task.  He could have had Joshua and Eleazar handle all of the lottery for the inheritance, but I think that God has always been about cooperation among his people.  This was not rule by committee, but it was participatory leadership.  God had already laid down the directives, and he selected 12 men to work together in ensuring the allotment of the land was carried out according to Gods plans.  It was a system of checks and balances to provide a human element of support that Gods plans were being enforced.  At least thats how it looks to me.

It took me about 13 minutes to read this passage.

Stuart

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