Focus Chapters:
- Numbers 34-36
Standout Verse(s):
Numbers 34:1-5 NLT
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Give these instructions to the Israelites: When you come into the land of Canaan, which I am giving you as your special possession, these will be the boundaries. The southern portion of your country will extend from the wilderness of Zin, along the edge of Edom. The southern boundary will begin on the east at the Dead Sea.It will then run south past Scorpion Passin the direction of Zin. Its southernmost point will be Kadesh-barnea, from which it will go to Hazar-addar, and on to Azmon. From Azmon the boundary will turn toward the Brook of Egypt and end at the Mediterranean Sea.
Observation (s):
- Lord established the boundaries of the Promised Land that He gave to the Israelites.
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Give these instructions to the Israelites: When you come into the land of Canaan, which I am giving you as your special possession, these will be the boundaries.
- Some of the God-established boundaries ran alongside enemy territory.
The southern portion of your country will extend from the wilderness of Zin, along the edge of Edom.
- Some of the God-established boundaries stopped at areas that the people could proceed no further by foot. They would not have the necessary equipment to cross seas.
The southern boundary will begin on the east at the Dead Sea. It will then run south past Scorpion Passin the direction of Zin. Its southernmost point will be Kadesh-barnea, from which it will go to Hazar-addar, and on to Azmon. From Azmon the boundary will turn toward the Brook of Egypt and end at the Mediterranean Sea.
Application:
A boundary is a point or limit that indicates where two things become different. In our lives, boundaries are set to guide and protect us. For example, as a child, our parents would set curfews or tell us where we can or can’t go. Unfortunately, as we grew into our teen years, many of us would riot against these boundaries because we felt that we were too old for such things. Still with age, or as we have our own children, we begin to recognize and appreciate the blessing and wisdom of some of the boundaries that our parents implemented. We see and appreciate the intent of setting the boundary.
Canaan represented the Promised Land for the Israelites and marked the fulfillment of God’s promise to the Israelites and their ancestors. The boundaries set by God was intended to pinpoint areas of major difference and danger for the Israelites. These areas included enemy territory and areas that were outside the scope of what they could tackle based on their present circumstances and limitations. Remember God parted the Red Sea for them to cross more than 40 years ago and since then, they have wandered the desert by foot. They had no equipment to cross seas.
Similarly, God, our Father, sets boundaries for us. As He settles us in His fulfilled promises, a place that we are unfamiliar with, a part of His guidance plan will include boundaries. Be comforted by the fact that these boundaries are meant to keep and protect, not constrain us.
