Day 64: Preparing to enter Canaan

I'm late posting today - I've been  taking part in a preaching workshop, led by the excellent Simon Moore, an inspirational day. So, better late than never, here's today's passages.

The fear of the previous generation seems to have been replaced with confidence. Reading the subject headings before I open the Bible, it’s all about dividing up the land between them. The Israelites are thinking like they can’t lose. This sounds like a good sign.

Inheritance of the tribes

Deuteronomy 3:12-17, Joshua 13:8-13, 15-32

Recap of victories

Joshua 12:1-6

Command for conquest

Numbers 33:50-56, Deuteronomy 3:18-29

Boundaries given

Numbers 34:1-15

Men chosen to divide the land

Numbers 34:16-29

Cities promised to Levites

Numbers 35:1-8

So the land is divided up. West of the Jordan, the battles have already been fought, and as we read yesterday, Reuben and Gad are going to help in the fighting across the Jordan. Moses is not allowed in, which seems harsh. Yes, he was human and made mistakes, but he has led the people through thick and thin. All he can do is climb a hill and look at the land. And sit down with maps and charts and draw lines, as if it were already theirs.

With my English colonial history, I feel guilty about this. We drew lines on the map of Africa, dividing it up, and apportioning it to the conquerors, and much harm and pain was caused as a result. But then, many battles were fought before we came, and many more would have happened if we had not intervened, so this guilt can be overplayed. Still, it makes me feel uncomfortable to read about a foreign power dividing up a country that at this point of time is not theirs.