Numbers 34-35

In Psalm 16:6, David declares that “The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” Over the first half of Numbers 34, we read of God describing the boundaries of the Promised Land that He was to give to His people (not that the people would earn). And after forty years in the wilderness, I just have to think that the Israelites felt what David was feeling when he penned that specific verse. Likewise, may we confidently state that, wherever God has us, it is delightful. This is not necessarily the case because of what our eyes can see, but rather because of the One who is with us there.

God then specifies who will be responsible for dividing the land among the Israelites: “Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun” (34:17). You can imagine that there may have been some infighting regarding what tribe would get which area of Canaan, so God, in His wisdom, proactively squelches any such conflict by appointing these men to handle the task. May we recognize when He has done the same in our contexts, submitting to the authorities He has placed in our lives (Romans 13:1). 

As we move into chapter 35, God commands the people of Israel to remember the Levites, who were told in Numbers 18 that they would not have an inheritance or portion in the land, as God would be their inheritance. Again, back to Psalm 16, when David says in verse 5, “The LORD is my chosen portion and my cup; you hold my lot.” The Levites showed great faith to trust that God would provide for their needs, and we see this confidence rewarded in Numbers 35:2-3: “Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites some of the inheritance of their possession as cities for them to dwell in. And you shall give to the Levites pasturelands around the cities. The cities shall be theirs to dwell in, and their pasturelands shall be for their cattle and for their livestock and for all their beasts.” Are you willing to rely on God’s provision, even if you cannot conceptualize how it will come to pass? 

48 cities in all were to be given to the Levites, as this tribe would be dispersed among all the people in the land of promise. David Guzik comments on this design from God and the implications for us as Christ’s ambassadors in this world:

This shows the wisdom of God in not making a Levitical state that others would have to go to. God intended that these ministers go out among the people, to influence them for the Lord…In the same way, God does not intend that there be a Christian country or state where all the Christians live together in spiritual bliss, and simply say to the world, “come and join us if you want.” Instead, God wants Christians to be sprinkled throughout the whole world, influencing people for Jesus Christ.[i]

Today’s reading closes with a discussion on the six cities of refuge that were to be established in Canaan, with the intent of affording those who accidentally killed someone a place of safe passage, away from one who may try to avenge the death, until that individual received a fair trial (35:10-13). What a mercy from God, and what a foretaste of the Gospel! Note some of these parallels that Matthey Henry highlights:

There were several cities of refuge, and they were so appointed in several parts of the country that the man-slayer, wherever he dwelt in the land of Israel, might in half a day reach one or other of them; so, though there is but one Christ appointed for our refuge, yet, wherever we are, he is a refuge at hand, a very present help, for the word is nigh us and Christ in the word…

The man-slayer was safe in any of these cities; so in Christ believers that flee to him, and rest in him, are protected from the wrath of God and the curse of the law. There is no condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus, Rom. 8:1. Who shall condemn those that are thus sheltered?...

Even strangers and sojourners, though they were not native Israelites, might take the benefit of these cities of refuge, v. 15. So in Christ Jesus no difference is made between Greek and Jew; even the sons of the stranger that by faith flee to Christ shall be safe in him…

Even the suburbs or borders of the city were a sufficient security to the offender…So there is virtue even in the hem of Christ’s garment for the healing and saving of poor sinners…

If the offender was ever caught struggling out of the borders of his city of refuge, or stealing home to his house again, he lost the benefit of his protection, and lay exposed to the avenger of blood; so those that are in Christ must abide in Christ, for it is at their peril if they forsake him and wander from him. Drawing back is to perdition.[ii]

Are you safely abiding in the arms of Jesus Christ, our Refuge? Or are you attempting to wander from Him at your own peril? 

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Journal responses to the following prompts:

·       Do you consider where God has you a pleasant and delightful place? 

·       How has Christ served as your Refuge? 

[i] Study Guide for Numbers 35. (n.d.). Blue Letter Bible. Retrieved May 27, 2026, from 

https://www.blueletterbible.org/comm/guzik_david/study-guide/numbers/numbers-35.cfm

[ii] Henry, M. (2014). Matthew Henry’s commentary on the whole Bible. (Vol. 1). Hendrickson Publishers. p. 465.