Numbers 32-36

Numbers 32 relates the desire of two and a half Israelite tribes (the Reubenites, Gadites, and half of the tribe of Manasseh) to remain on the land on the east side of the Jordan, land obtained from the conquest of Og and Sihon. Moses agrees to this plan so long as these two and a half tribes agree to cross the Jordan with the rest of the Israelites and help them conquer the Promised Land first. Thus, an agreement is reached, but not before Moses has warned these two and a half tribes: “But if you do not do this, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.” (Numbers 32:23)

This verse is a memorable one. However, wrenched from its context, it conjures up images of God seeking out anyone who is sinning in order to punish them. I think this gives us the wrong view of God. The total picture of God, when the Bible is taken all together, is one of grace.

C. S. Lewis relates somewhere the story of how his wife went through an entire day with the nagging feeling that God wanted something from her. When she finally gave in and said to God: “What do you want?” God’s response was: “I don't want something from you. I want to give you something.” I think that little story reveals something of our wrong view of God coming right again.

Numbers 33 recaps the stages of the forty-year Israelite journey through the wilderness. While this recap may seem rather boring, it reminds us of what the book of Numbers is all about: the journey. Where are we in our journey with God? Probably not where we were yesterday. God loves us right where we are and God loves us too much to leave us where we are.

Numbers 34 deals with the allotment of the land and the boundaries thereof. It would appear that this account had to be written after the fact. Otherwise, how would the Israelites know anything of the landmarks, special features, and natural boundary markers of the Promised Land before actually entering and exploring it?

Numbers 35 handles the allotment of towns to the Levites as well as the specification of cities of refuge: places to which those who kill a person without intent may flee. We will learn more about these cities in future books.

The book of Numbers concludes in chapter 36 with instructions regarding, once again, the daughters of Zelophehad. They have been given the right to inherit their father’s property, but what if they marry outside their tribe? If they do that, then they will be taking land away from their tribe and that would not be right. Moses gives instruction that no inheritance of the Israelites shall be transferred from one tribe to another.

This seems like an odd way for the book of Numbers to end. However, we must remember that this book is part of the Torah and is not truly complete without the books that precede and follow it. Thus, the end of Numbers prepares the way for Moses’ final speech to the Israelites on the east side of the Jordan in Deuteronomy.

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Will Vaus

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