Boundaries

O. T. #363  "Boundaries"
Sept. 12, 2014
Numbers 34
Command the children of Israel and say unto them, When ye come into the land of Canaan: (this is the land that shall fall unto you for an inheritance, even the land of Canaan with the coasts thereof:)  Numbers 34:2

LET IT GLOW

When we bought our farm, after inheriting half, we had to have it surveyed. The guy put down markers in the ground at the four corners to mark the boundaries. Our fences were to not go beyond those markers so everything was correct. Actually, the back fence was moved to its incorrect placement years earlier. Israel was given boundaries for what would be their land after it was conquered. Shall we look into it?

We read where God gave the eastern bank of Jordan to the 2 1/2 tribes. Moses is instructed on the boundaries of the land in Canaan to be distributed among the other tribes of Israel. Only for a brief time was this area occupied; it was during the reigns of David and Solomon.

According to Strong's Exhaustive Concordance, quarter means direction, region, side; border refers to a boundary; the territory enclosed: border, landmark, coast, quarter, space.

The borders of the Promised Land went from the Dead Sea to the Mediterranean Sea, including the Hermon mountain range and the Jordan Valley from the Sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea.

God gave precise instruction to Israel concerning the boundaries of the land of Canaan. Sadly, the actual conquest of the land fell far short of these boundaries.  (MacArthur)

When God sets boundaries for us as His children, do we stay within them? Or do we fall short? do we go outside of those limits He establishes, only to regret it later? He has specific instructions for us so we protect our witness, our family, our church. He wants to keep us from being hurt, straying off into sin, bringing others with us. God warns us about covetousness, adultery, idolatry, fornication. He wants the best for us.
Are we determined to obey those instructions, staying within the boundaries He sets? We will be blessed it we do. Our children will follow God's Word and serve Him. Our business will honor Him and prosper. Our church will be a lighthouse in the community.

LET IT GROW

When it was time to distribute the land of Canaan, it was to be done by the casting of lots under the supervision of 12 appointed men. Among these were Eleazar the high priest, Joshua, and one leader from each tribe left without land.

Do we trust our leaders in our church to make the right decisions? Are we praying for God's guidance for them? How about our husband? Are we praying for the decisions he makes for our family? Are we ready to follow them?
Are we content to live within the boundaries which God has established for us or are we rebellious, going our own way?


LET IT GO

 Read God's Word so I know what boundaries by which He has established for me to live.

Stay within those boundaries.

Be content to live within those boundaries.