Numbers 34
NOW the boundaries of their land, God’s gift to His people, are set out. The south border was from Mount Seir by the way of Kadesh Barnea (the place from which the twelve spies were sent into the land, where Miriam died and was buried, and where Moses a second time struck the rock, when the people complained about there being no water), to “the river of Egypt,”—not the Nile, but a small winter stream which is shown on most maps,—and so to the sea. The’ west boundary was the Mediterranean sea; the east boundary, the river Jordan, the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee. The north boundary was about one hundred miles north of Damascus. This was God’s purpose, but the children of Israel never took real, full possession of all this territory. Reuben, Gad and Manasseh were, as we have already noticed, outside of these boundaries, on the east side of the Jordan.
Men were appointed by God Himself to see that the land was fairly divided among the families of Israel. Let us see what the meaning of some of their names may be. Eleazar— “God is helper”; Joshua, — “God saves”; Caleb— “bold”; Shemuel — “Heard of God”; Elidad— “God is a friend”; Bukki— “mouth of God”; Hanniel— “God is gracious”; Kemuel— “God stands (or rises)”; Elizaphan— “God is protector”; Paltiel— “God delivers”; Ahihud— “brother of honor”; Pedahel “God delivers”. Is God in your name? Not in the name by which your parents and friends speak to you, but is He truly the One you trust? Do you know Him as Helper, Saviour, Hearer of your prayers, Friend, Protector, Deliverer? And when you speak, dear young Christian, remember that name, “mouth of God”—speak of Him and for Him. Guard your words, that there may nothing come from your lips that is displeasing to Him whose name you bear.
ML 08/10/1924