Audio Download

Numbers 34:1-29  The Borders of the Land of Canaan

[Study Aired January 1, 2024]

Introduction

Our study for today highlights the boundaries of the land of Canaan that the Lord has given to the Israelites for inheritance. The chapter also focuses on the leaders the Lord has chosen to help apportion the land to the people of Israel. This land, with its boundaries, which the Lord has given to the people of Israel as an inheritance, is where they would be free to worship the Lord as their king, rest from their labors and enjoy the produce of the land.  It signifies the kingdom of the Lord within us which shall become outside (to be seen) when the kingdoms of this world become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ.

Luk 17:20  And when he was demanded of the Pharisees, when the kingdom of God should come, he answered them and said, The kingdom of God cometh not with observation:
Luk 17:21  Neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you.

Rev 11:15  And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever.

In this chapter we are reviewing, the Lord gave the boundaries, or the limitations of the land, He was going to give to the people of Israel. These boundaries are given based on the assumption that the people of Israel had defeated the occupants of the land which signifies our flesh. It is when our flesh has started its journey of death that the kingdom of the Lord becomes established within us. In other words, as our old man or flesh dies, our new man after the image of Christ gains ascendency resulting in the establishment of the kingdom of the Lord within. 

Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

As we are aware, the death of our old man or flesh is made possible through the fiery trials we endure which teach us righteousness. This is exemplified by the war the Israelites waged to dispossess the people of the land. Our fiery trials symbolize the war with the flesh the Lord is waging on our behalf.

1Pe 4:12  Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 
1Pe 4:13  But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Isa 26:8  Yea, in the way of thy judgments, O LORD, have we waited for thee; the desire of our soul is to thy name, and to the remembrance of thee. 
Isa 26:9  With my soul have I desired thee in the night; yea, with my spirit within me will I seek thee early: for when thy judgments are in the earth, the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness.

As we go through the study for today, we shall come to understand the limitations of the kingdom of the Lord within us and its characteristics. 

Mar 4:30  And he said, Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? 
Mar 4:31  It is like a grain of mustard seed, which, when it is sown in the earth, is less than all the seeds that be in the earth: 
Mar 4:32  But when it is sown, it groweth up, and becometh greater than all herbs, and shooteth out great branches; so that the fowls of the air may lodge under the shadow of it.

These verses show us what the kingdom of the Lord within and without are like. Being a grain of mustard seed, which is less than all kinds of seed, signifies the kingdom of God within us which is not visible to the world. In the fullness of time when this kingdom grows and becomes outward, that is, the kingdoms of this world becoming the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, it will be seen by all and will encompass all the people of the world – both good and evil.

In another perspective, the land of Canaan to be divided among the people of Israel represents the reward we shall receive if we overcome. In other words, it represents the joy that is set before us as we walk as strangers in this world.

Heb 12:2  Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

With all these in mind, let’s now take a look at the boundaries of this kingdom of God:

Num 34:1  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 34:2  Command the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan; (this is the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan with the coasts thereof:)

These verses show us how the Lord speaks those things which are not as though they were. The Israelites had not yet come to the land of Canaan to begin the conquest of the people living in the land and yet the Lord had given command to Moses regarding the boundaries of their inheritance. 

Rom 4:17  (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were.

As indicated in the introduction session, the land is where we are to live to worship the Lord as our king and therefore represents the kingdom of the Lord. In these verses therefore, the Lord was showing us the limitations of the kingdom of the Lord which is first within us. Paul in his letter to the Romans, defines the kingdom of God. 

Rom 14:17  For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 
Rom 14:18  For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Rom 14:19  Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

The rendition of these verses in the Message makes it clearer.

Rom 14:17-19 God’s kingdom isn’t a matter of what you put in your stomach, for goodness’ sake. It’s what God does with your life as he sets it right, puts it together, and completes it with joy. Your task is to single-mindedly serve Christ. Do that and you’ll kill two birds with one stone: pleasing the God above you and proving your worth to the people around you. So, let’s agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words; don’t drag them down by finding fault. (The Message)

We can see clearly that the kingdom of God has to do with what God does with us to make us righteous. We know from His words that becoming righteous is through the judgment of our old man or the flesh. As we learn righteousness, we automatically have peace with God and man as the Holy Spirit fills us with joy. 

The Southern Boundaries

Num 34:3  Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward: 
Num 34:4  And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon: 
Num 34:5  And the border shall fetch a compass from Azmon unto the river of Egypt, and the goings out of it shall be at the sea.

The south is always the route to the sea of flesh. In verse 3, the southern border starts from the wilderness of Zin along the coast of Edom toward the salt sea, which is usually referred to as the dead sea. The word “Zin” means flat. Edom means red which is the color of the earth. The Edomites are the descendants of Esau, the elder brother of Jacob and therefore can be regarded as part of the flesh of the people of Israel. The salt, or the dead, sea signifies the spiritually dead state of humanity. What we are being told spiritually is that even though the kingdom of God is within us, we can easily drift (flat plain, not mountainous) towards the flesh (Edom). The end result is that we become spiritually dead (the salt sea). 

In verses 4 and 5, the eastern part of the southern border which starts at the salt sea goes up to Akrabbim (Scorpion pass), continues on to Zin and ends up at Kadesh Barnea (holy). After Kadesh, the southern border stretches to Hazar Addar (Enclosure of glory) and then to Azmon (Strong). At this point it turns to the river of Egypt and ends up at the sea.

This implies that we are given power to tread on scorpions (Akrabbim) and over the powers of the enemy to become holy (Kadesh) as the kingdom of God within us is being built. That is when we see the glory of the Lord and become stronger in Him. However, there is always the tendency to drift easily to false doctrines (river of Egypt) which gradually cause us to become like the people of the world (sea).

Luk 10:19  Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
Luk 10:20  Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven. 

Mat 16:6  Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Mat 16:7  And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
Mat 16:8  Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
Mat 16:9  Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
Mat 16:10  Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? 
Mat 16:11  How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? 
Mat 16:12  Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

The Western and the Northen Boundaries

Num 34:6  And as for the western border, ye shall even have the great sea for a border: this shall be your west border.
Num 34:7  And this shall be your north border: from the great sea ye shall point out for you mount Hor:
Num 34:8  From mount Hor ye shall point out your border unto the entrance of Hamath; and the goings forth of the border shall be to Zedad:
Num 34:9  And the border shall go on to Ziphron, and the goings out of it shall be at Hazarenan: this shall be your north border.

The western boundary is the coast of the Great Sea. In other words, the kingdom of God within us operates within the confines of the flesh. This means that if we do not pay attention to the truth of the Lord’s words, we shall easily be influenced by the flesh. 

Heb 2:1  Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 
Heb 2:2  For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 
Heb 2:3  How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;
Heb 2:4  God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will?

The northern border stretches from the great sea through Mount Hor (mountain or part of) to the entrance of Hamath which means fortress. Proceeding from there, the northern border continues to Zedad (mountain side), passes through Ziphron (fragrance) and ends up at Hazar Enan (village of fountain). This signifies that although the kingdom of God within is bounded by the flesh, it is the Lord’s fragrance or presence which keeps us like a fortress, just as the mountains surround Jerusalem. This is made possible as the Lord upholds all things through His words (village of fountain). 

Psa 125:1  A Song of degrees. They that trust in the LORD shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth forever.
Psa 125:2  As the mountains are round about Jerusalem, so the LORD is round about his people from henceforth even forever.
Psa 125:3  For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.

Heb 1:3  Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

The Eastern Boundary

Num 34:10  And ye shall point out your east border from Hazarenan to Shepham:
Num 34:11  And the coast shall go down from Shepham to Riblah, on the east side of Ain; and the border shall descend, and shall reach unto the side of the sea of Chinnereth eastward: 
Num 34:12  And the border shall go down to Jordan, and the goings out of it shall be at the salt sea: this shall be your land with the coasts thereof round about.

The eastern border starts from Hazer Enan (village of fountain) and goes to Shepham (Bare spot) and then to Riblah (Fertility) which was on the eastern side of Ain (spring). The implication here is that as we feed on the truth of the word of the Lord (Hazer Enan and Ain), all the fallow grounds or bare spots (Shepham) within us become fertile (Riblah) and produce a hundredfold of fruit.

Mat 13:23  As for what was sown on good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it. He indeed bears fruit and yields, in one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty.”

The border continues to the shoulder of the sea of Chinnereth (Harps) on the eastern side and stretches down to the river Jordan (descender or the river that rushes down) which empties into the salt sea or the Dead Sea. This signifies that as His elect, we are the first to be chosen among the sea of flesh or humanity to worship the Lord in truth and in spirit as we play harps before the Lord. Later, in an age to come, the truth of the word of the Lord (river Jordan) shall rush down to all humanity who are spiritually dead, signified by the emptying of river Jordan into the Dead Sea. What this means is that in this age, the kingdom of God within is only given to the elect. That is the boundary of the kingdom of God in this age. 

Rev 14:1  And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him an hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father’s name written in their foreheads. 
Rev 14:2  And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice of harpers harping with their harps: 
Rev 14:3  And they sung as it were a new song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth.

The Land to be Divided as Inheritance

Num 34:13  And Moses commanded the children of Israel, saying, This is the land which ye shall inherit by lot, which the LORD commanded to give unto the nine tribes, and to the half tribe: 
Num 34:14  For the tribe of the children of Reuben according to the house of their fathers, and the tribe of the children of Gad according to the house of their fathers, have received their inheritance; and half the tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance:
Num 34:15  The two tribes and the half tribe have received their inheritance on this side Jordan near Jericho eastward, toward the sunrising.

In verse 13, the land was to be divided among the families for an inheritance by lot. The lot here signifies that everything we do to possess our inheritance is the work of the Lord. All we have to do is to believe that He is able to drag us to the finish line!!

Pro 16:33  The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.

Joh 6:28  Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” 
Joh 6:29  Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”

In verses 14 and 15, we are told that the tribes of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh were not to be given inheritance among the people of Israel in the land of Canaan since they had received their inheritance already on the east side of the river Jordan in the land of Gilead and Bashan. As indicated in a previous study about the settlement of the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh on the east side of the land of Canaan, these tribes represent our brothers and sisters in Babylon who want their reward now in this life. As a result, they have received their reward already. They are never going to share in our inheritance.

Mat 6:2  Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

Mat 6:5  And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

The Names of the Leaders of the Various Tribes in Israel

Num 34:16  And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, 
Num 34:17  These are the names of the men which shall divide the land unto you: Eleazar the priest, and Joshua the son of Nun.
Num 34:18  And ye shall take one prince of every tribe, to divide the land by inheritance.

These verses show us that from every tribe and kindred of every nation, the Lord is picking His elect to be saviors of the world in assisting the whole humanity, represented by the people of Israel, to obtain their inheritance in Christ in the fullness of time. These leaders are the elect of every generation representing the one hundred and forty-four thousand chosen from the twelve tribes of Israel.

Rev 7:4  And I heard the number of them which were sealed: and there were sealed an hundred and forty and four thousand of all the tribes of the children of Israel.
Rev 7:5  Of the tribe of Juda were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand.
Rev 7:6  Of the tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed twelve thousand. 
Rev 7:7  Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 
Rev 7:8  Of the tribe of Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand. 

Oba 1:21  And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’S.

The names of the twelve leaders from every tribe show us what it takes to become His elect. The first two names of the leaders mentioned are Eleazer and Joshua. Eleazer means ‘God is helper’ and that of Joshua means ‘Jehovah saved.’ This implies that the salvation of the Lord is His work. Of our ownselves, we can do nothing. It is the Lord who is able to save us because He comes to help us obtain the standard He requires. He starts the work and finishes it. 

Php 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

Num 34:19  And the names of the men are these: Of the tribe of Judah, Caleb the son of Jephunneh. 
Num 34:20  And of the tribe of the children of Simeon, Shemuel the son of Ammihud. 
Num 34:21  Of the tribe of Benjamin, Elidad the son of Chislon.
Num 34:22  And the prince of the tribe of the children of Dan, Bukki the son of Jogli. 
Num 34:23  The prince of the children of Joseph, for the tribe of the children of Manasseh, Hanniel the son of Ephod.
Num 34:24  And the prince of the tribe of the children of Ephraim, Kemuel the son of Shiphtan. 

The name Caleb means ‘dog’ and Shemuel means ‘His name is El’ (God). Elidad signifies ‘my God has loved’ and Bukki means ‘wasteful.’ The next two names are Hanniel (Favored of God) and Kemuel (Raised of God). We were called and chosen by the Lord’s grace and not because we had anything to offer. We were like dogs (the meaning of Caleb) just like the woman of Canaan in the sight of the Lord, but He (Shemuel) showed mercy to us. 

Mat 15:25  Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me. 
Mat 15:26  But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs. 
Mat 15:27  And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters’ table. 

1Co 1:26  For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called: 
1Co 1:27  But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world (dogs) to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; 
1Co 1:28  And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 
1Co 1:29  That no flesh should glory in his presence.

Even though we were wasteful (Bukki) just like the prodigal son, the Lord loved us (Elidad). We therefore received favor in His sight (Hanniel) as He raised us up (Kemuel) to sit with Him in heavenly places.

Luk 15:11  And he said, A certain man had two sons: 
Luk 15:12  And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
Luk 15:13  And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. 
Luk 15:14  And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
Luk 15:15  And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
Luk 15:16  And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. 
Luk 15:17  And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! 
Luk 15:18  I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, 
Luk 15:19  And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. 
Luk 15:20  And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Luk 15:21  And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. 
Luk 15:22  But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: 
Luk 15:23  And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: 
Luk 15:24  For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. 

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 
Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 
Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
Eph 2:7  That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Num 34:25  And the prince of the tribe of the children of Zebulun, Elizaphan the son of Parnach. 
Num 34:26  And the prince of the tribe of the children of Issachar, Paltiel the son of Azzan. 
Num 34:27  And the prince of the tribe of the children of Asher, Ahihud the son of Shelomi. 
Num 34:28  And the prince of the tribe of the children of Naphtali, Pedahel the son of Ammihud. 
Num 34:29  These are they whom the LORD commanded to divide the inheritance unto the children of Israel in the land of Canaan. 

The final four leaders of the various tribes of the people of Israel were as follows: Elizaphan (God is treasure); Paltiel (Deliverance of God); Ahihud (Brother of Majesty) and Pedahel (Ransomed by God). These names signify that through the deliverance of the Lord (Paltiel), we are ransomed by God (Pedahel) to have God as our treasure (Elizaphan) as we become His brothers (Ahihud). 

Heb 2:10  For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings.
Heb 2:11  For both he that sanctifieth and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
Heb 2:12  Saying, I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee.

May the Lord continue to establish His kingdom within us as we see the day approaching. Amen!!