Numbers 34:1-29
Q.1. Why was the land described in the Promised Land only to be inherited by nine and a half tribes? – (Num.34:1-15)
The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half Manasseh were given permission to settle east of the Jordan river, on the condition that they joined with the other tribes in conquering the Promised Land. They had their inheritance as outlined in Num.32:1-42.
Q.2. How was the Promised Land to be distributed? What does it tell us about the omniscience of God, that He gave Moses the names of the tribal leaders? – (Num.34:16-29)
Not only was the invisible God aware of the exact title deeds of the Promised Land, He also knew the intimate details of the leadership of each tribe. Joshua and Caleb, the only ones who factored God into their report on Canaan, were mentioned first. God did not forget His promise to them (see Num.14:30 & 38). For all His incalculable greatness, the Father numbers every hair of our heads. This means that He knows all the intimate details of every person, into whom He has breathed life (c.f. Mt.10:30-31). Before he departed – 13 Moses commanded the sons of Israel saying, “This is the land that you are to apportion by lot among you as a possession, which the Lord has commanded to give to the nine and a half tribes” … 17 “These are the names of the men who shall apportion the land to you for inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua the son of Nun. 18 You shall take one leader of every tribe to apportion the land for inheritance” (Num.34:13, 17-18)