N34-4: The Reason Why The Land Boundaries God Gave To Abraham Differ From What’s In Numbers 34

We are continuing our discussion on the boundaries of the Promised Land as outlined in Numbers 34.

Thus far I’ve pointed out a couple of things that may have surprised you.

I mentioned that the description of the Promised Land here in Numbers 34 is different than Ezekiel’s Millennial Kingdom vision.

I also mentioned that the nations we currently call Syria and Lebanon actually belong to Israel.

Moving on, another simple truth we need to face is that the land boundaries as given to Moses and then later to Ezekiel is DIFFERENT than what was first described to Abraham.

There are many reasons for this.

First, when God first spoke to Abraham concerning his and his descendants’ land inheritance, it was spoken of in very general terms.

However, when God spoke to Moses concerning Israel’s land inheritance, He gave very specific details.

Another thing we have to take into consideration is all of the many changes that took place over time.

I’m talking about empire nations rising up and then dying out and the many relocations of the tribes over time.

Because of this, a variety of different people groups grew, shrank or completely vanished altogether.

This resulted in not only changed place names but changed borders as well.

So understand that from the time of Abraham…

….to the time of Moses…

to the time of Ezekiel…

…all kinds of upheaval occurred

Let’s move on.

From verse 13, we’re given a breakdown of how the Promised Land is to be divided among the 10 and 1/2 tribes and NOT the 12 tribes.

Remember this is because Reuben, Gad, and one-half of Manasseh chose to stay OUTSIDE of the Promised Land.

These 2 1/2 tribes decided to forsake their rights to living in Canaan.

Numbers 34 finishes up with a list of not only the 10 tribes of Israel who would be inheriting the Promised Land but also who each of the leaders over each of the tribes was at this point in time.

It was up to these princes or chieftains to subdivide the territory they were given among the various clans and families within their tribes.

And this closes Numbers Chapter 34.

NEXT TIME WE BEGIN NUMBERS CHAPTER 35