What is the meaning of Numbers 26:56? Each inheritance • The word “inheritance” points to the precise stretch of Canaan that the LORD promised to every tribe (Joshua 14:1-2; Numbers 34:13). • God treats the land as His gift, not Israel’s achievement, echoing Deuteronomy 32:8, “When the Most High gave the nations their inheritance, when He divided the sons of man…”. • Because the promise is literal, every tribe can count on a tangible homeland—anchoring hope much as believers today look forward to “an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you” (1 Peter 1:4). is to be divided • The verb shows intentional, orderly distribution, not random grabbing. Numbers 26:55 confirms, “The land is to be apportioned by lot according to the names of the tribes of their fathers”. • God sets the boundaries; human leaders merely carry out His directive (Numbers 34:17-18). • This division protects against later disputes; it mirrors the way the Spirit later “apportions to each one individually as He wills” (1 Corinthians 12:11) when giving spiritual gifts. by lot • Casting lots hands the final decision to the LORD: “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33). • Joshua 18:6-10 shows the process in action—leaders cast lots before the LORD at Shiloh, ensuring divine impartiality. • Even in Acts 1:24-26, the apostles rely on lots to identify Matthias, trusting God to speak through the outcome. • The method avoids favoritism; no tribe can claim back-room negotiations determined its portion. among the larger and smaller tribes • Numbers 26:54 makes God’s principle clear: “Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one”. • Casting lots first decides location, then size is adjusted so that every family has enough—echoing 1 Samuel 30:24, “The share of the one who stays with the baggage shall be the same as the share of the one who goes down to battle.” • This balances justice and grace: larger tribes like Judah receive more acreage, while smaller tribes such as Benjamin still gain a rightful share (Joshua 15–18). • The pattern urges believers to honor both “the parts that seem weaker” and the more prominent (1 Corinthians 12:22-24). summary Numbers 26:56 teaches that every Israelite tribe receives a literal, God-assigned parcel of the Promised Land. The LORD Himself oversees the division through lots, guaranteeing fairness and removing human bias. Larger tribes obtain proportionately larger territories, yet smaller tribes are equally protected, showcasing God’s perfect blend of justice and generosity. |
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