Page 105 - Pentateuch - Student Textbook

Now things change. It is as if the old
generation is dead, for a new census is
taken of people twenty years and older
(Ch. 26). People have questions about
inheritance laws once they reach the
Promised Land (27:1-11). Joshua is
appointed as the successor of Moses,
anticipating this last death of the previous
generation (27:12-23). God continues to
give instructions about life with him. He
outlines sacrifices and festivals (Ch. 28,
29). Atonement for sin will be a regular
need for the people, even for the new
generation (28:22, 30; 29:5, 11).
Instructions continue about vows,
especially in their connections between a
woman and her father or husband. These
things are not to be taken lightly before Fig. 69: Route of Exodus
Yahweh (Ch. 30).

Events proceed rapidly. Midian is destroyed (Ch. 31). Yet old temptations surface in this complete
victory. The men want to spare the captive women, the very ones who tempted Israel to worship a
different god with very different practices. Only the young women can be spared (31:16). The spoils are
divided, and a certain amount is presented to the Lord at the tent of meeting to atone for all this contact
with death (31:50).

As the nation prepares to enter the land, two tribes want to stay on the east side of the Jordan River
(Ch. 32). Reuben and Gad see the land as good and suitable for their livestock. Here is another old
temptation. Are they refusing to enter the Promised Land? Do they fear the cost of obedience to God?
This sounds like a replay of the previous generation. Have they learned nothing in watching their parents
die in the wilderness over the last forty years (32:8-13)? A compromise is reached. These two tribes will
secure dwellings for their families, and the fighting men will go over the Jordan with the rest of Israel to
take the land (32:32).

Two of the final chapters of Numbers are given over to recounting the journey’s stages (Ch. 33) and
setting the boundaries of Canaan (Ch. 34). It is good to l ook back and be reminded of the journey
completed. It is also essential to appoint a new group of men who will oversee the subdividing of the
land since the original leaders are dead (34:16-29).

Now instructions focus more specifically on cities for the Levites (35:1-5) and cities of refuge (35:6-34).
We know already what happens to people who sin intentionally. They are put to death (35:16-21). But
people who sin unintentionally, even those who seriously harm others, are shown mercy in a different
way (35:22 -25). A person who kills someone unintentionally may flee to a city of refuge, remaining
there safely until the death of the high priest, and then being free (35:26-29). Laws are given about trials
(35:30-32), and the whole is set in a context of living on God’s land. It is not to be morally polluted
because he dwells there (35:33-34).

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