Numbers 36 - Ownership of Land

As the Israelites prepare to enter the land, we see a very interesting thing coming about...for the first time in the nation's history, they are being given ownership of land by God. Previously, they had been given a place to live in Egypt and before that, they were wanderers with territories that they typically had their flocks graze. Never before had an allotment of land been given/assigned to their families.

⁹ No grant of land may pass from one tribe to another; each tribe of Israel must keep its allotted portion of land.”

I wonder how momentous they thought this was? When I think about this, I wonder realize that in here are the seeds of people believing that they can own a land that belongs to God. To see it as more than just a loan for our time on this Earth. I also see the seeds of people feeling like they are finally home.

I guess it is interesting that these things should be tied together...a sense of belonging and a sense of ownership. Part of why I find it interesting is because one, the land isn't really ours. It was given to all inhabitants of the Earth and we are just assigned to be caretakers, but two, the Earth is just a temporary home. We truly belong with God in God's heavenly realms.

If you think about it further, one (the sense of belonging) is a shadow of what is to come and the other (ownership) is a concept that will be so foreign when we live in the heavenly Kingdom, but both are given together is the Promised Land.

I know this is a little philosophical today...but thanks for bearing with me.And tomorrow...a new book.