Knowing the Specific Will of God for your Life. (Numbers 34:1-29)
Transcript
Today, I want to talk about a question that has been asked countless times throughout my ministry: "How do you know the will of God?"
This question has come up repeatedly, both from young people and adults alike. In fact, just in the last two weeks, two people have asked me this very question.
It's one of those fundamental Christian questions that seems to transcend age and experience.
When I first began my public ministry, I was once asked to speak to a youth club. I thought I was going to speak, but instead, I was asked to answer questions. Initially, I was reluctant, thinking it was insane to stand before a group of teenagers and let them ask me anything. But I did it, and it turned out to be a good experience. As a result, I offer it as a regular practice.
Over the years, I have learned that there are essentially only a handful of questions that people ask, although they come in many variations.
But the most common questions is asked to me by Christians is variations about how to know the will of God. Today, I want to explore this topic with you by looking at a passage from the book of Numbers.
We've been studying the book of Numbers, and we now come to a chapter where the children of Israel are about to enter the Promised Land. This passage I believe, illustrates for us how they, and how we might discern the will of God.
Welcome to TBPDP….
So, turn with me to numbers chapter 34 numbers chapter 34 and let's look at verse one
1 The Lord said to Moses, 2 “Command the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter Canaan, the land that will be allotted to you as an inheritance is to have these boundaries: 3 “‘Your southern side will include some of the Desert of Zin along the border of Edom. Your southern boundary will start in the east from the southern end of the Dead Sea, 4 cross south of Scorpion Pass, continue on to Zin and go south of Kadesh Barnea. Then it will go to Hazar Addar and over to Azmon, 5 where it will turn, join the Wadi of Egypt and end at the Mediterranean Sea. 6 “‘Your western boundary will be the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This will be your boundary on the west. 7 “‘For your northern boundary, run a line from the Mediterranean Sea to Mount Hor 8 and from Mount Hor to Lebo Hamath. Then the boundary will go to Zedad, 9 continue to Ziphron and end at Hazar Enan. This will be your boundary on the north. 10 “‘For your eastern boundary, run a line from Hazar Enan to Shepham. 11 The boundary will go down from Shepham to Riblah on the east side of Ain and continue along the slopes east of the Sea of Galilee. 12 Then the boundary will go down along the Jordan and end at the Dead Sea. “‘This will be your land, with its boundaries on every side.’”
(Numbers 34: 1-12)
The keyword in the opening couple of verses is, "boundaries." The Israelites needed to know the exact borders of the land they were to inherit. Knowing the boundaries was essential for understanding the scope of their inheritance and the specific area they were responsible for. Here are the boundaries as described in the text:
Southern Boundary (Verses 3-6)
"Your southern border shall be from the wilderness of Zin along the border of Edom. Then your southern boundary shall extend eastward to the end of the Salt Sea". The Salt Sea, also known as the Dead Sea, marks the eastern end of this southern boundary. This southern line extends from the bottom of the Dead Sea towards the Mediterranean.
Western Boundary (Verse 6)
The Great Sea mentioned here is the Mediterranean Sea. This boundary is straightforward and explicitly clear—Israel's western limit is the Mediterranean.
Northern Boundary (Verses 7-9)
The northern boundary extends from the Mediterranean to Mount Hor. It's important to note that there are two locations named Mount Hor in biblical texts. The Mount Hor mentioned here is different from the one where Aaron died, as this one is in the north.
Eastern Boundary (Verses 10-12)
The Sea of Chinnereth is the Sea of Galilee. The eastern boundary runs from the north, along the Jordan River, down to the Dead Sea.
The detailed description of the boundaries emphasizes the importance of knowing and respecting the land's limits. For the Israelites, this defined their God-given inheritance and their area of responsibility.
Just as the Israelites needed to know their physical boundaries, we too need to understand the boundaries God has set for us in our lives.
But for us these could be moral, ethical, or relational boundaries that help us live in accordance with God's will.
The land was a gift from God, and the Israelites were to respect and manage it responsibly. Similarly, we need to appreciate and take care of the blessings and responsibilities God has given us.
In our spiritual journey, understanding the boundaries set by God can help us avoid pitfalls and stay within His will. Ignoring these boundaries can lead to spiritual and practical problems.
So, the first part of this passage outlines the boundaries of the land.
Now this isn't quite all of the territory promised to Abraham. The Israelites are preparing to enter the land, and the Lord specifies the borders for this phase of their inheritance. Perhaps if the Israelites remain obedient, God will eventually expanded these borders to include the entire area promised to Abraham.
However, even during the height of Israel's power under David and Solomon, they never fully possessed all the territory God had promised to Abraham.
This understanding highlights an essential spiritual lesson: God's promises often have conditions related to our obedience. The Israelites were given a portion of the promised land, but their full inheritance depended on their faithfulness to God.
After marking the boundaries, the next part of the passage addresses the divisions of the land. In verse 13, Moses commands the Israelites, saying:
13 Moses commanded the Israelites: “Assign this land by lot as an inheritance. The Lord has ordered that it be given to the nine and a half tribes, 14 because the families of the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance. 15 These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance east of the Jordan across from Jericho, toward the sunrise.”
16 The Lord said to Moses, 17 “These are the names of the men who are to assign the land for you as an inheritance: Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun. 18 And appoint one leader from each tribe to help assign the land. 19 These are their names:
Caleb son of Jephunneh, from the tribe of Judah; 20 Shemuel son of Ammihud, from the tribe of Simeon; 21 Elidad son of Kislon, from the tribe of Benjamin; 22 Bukki son of Jogli, the leader from the tribe of Dan; 23 Hanniel son of Ephod, the leader from the tribe of Manasseh son of Joseph; 24 Kemuel son of Shiphtan, the leader from the tribe of Ephraim son of Joseph; 25 Elizaphan son of Parnak, the leader from the tribe of Zebulun; 26 Paltiel son of Azzan, the leader from the tribe of Issachar; 27 Ahihud son of Shelomi, the leader from the tribe of Asher; 28 Pedahel son of Ammihud, the leader from the tribe of Naphtali.”
29 These are the men the Lord commanded to assign the inheritance to the Israelites in the land of Canaan.
(Numbers 34: 13-29)
Let's break this down. The Jordan River divides the land. On one side, from the Jordan to the Mediterranean, is the west side of Jordan. Everything on the other side of the Jordan is the east side. These nine and a half tribes are to inherit land on the west side of the Jordan by lot.
This is fascinating because it shows a mix of specificity and flexibility. God provided clear boundaries, but within those boundaries, the allocation of land was determined by casting lots. This method emphasized God's control over the process, but at the same time not Allowing the allocation to be gained by human agency.
Thereby ensuring that each tribe received their portion according to His will.
Here we also see Moses is reiterating that the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh had already received their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan.
The Israelites' full possession of the land was contingent on their obedience.
The division of the land by lot underscores the principle of trusting God with our portion. We may not always understand His methods, but we can trust that He allocates our inheritance wisely and fairly.
Similarly, our blessings and the fullness of God's promises in our lives often depend on our faithfulness and obedience to Him.
Understanding and respecting the boundaries of our inheritance help us to manage and steward our blessings responsibly. It also encourages us to seek God's guidance in areas where specifics are not provided, trusting Him to lead us in the right direction.
You might recall that Reuben and Gad wanted to settle on the east side of the Jordan. Initially, they were chastened because they didn’t want to help the other tribes fight and conquer the west side. However, they conceded and agreed to assist in the conquest before settling on the east side. This is reiterated here.
In this section we also see oversee not only the division of the land but the people put in charge were:
Eleazar the high priest, Joshua, son of Nun and one leader from each of the twelve tribes.
These appointed leaders were responsible for supervising the division of the land. The names are listed for us ending with a recap that these were the individuals the Lord commanded to divide the inheritance among the Israelites in the land of Canaan.
The detail shown in this account shows God's precise plan for the allocation of the land. Although the leaders were not necessarily the heads of the tribes, they were specifically chosen for this task of leadership in this context.
This passage exemplifies how God's will was revealed to the Israelites: with clear boundaries and specific instructions for leadership set in place.
In terms of its application in our live today, people often ask, "What is God's will for me?" This can be overwhelming, especially when facing decisions where the Bible doesn't provide explicit answers.
However, the New Testament provides some clear context regarding God's will overall for us.
1. Salvation.
Firstly, primarily, it is his will for us that we come to an understanding of our need of salvation.
"For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."
(1 Timothy 2:3-4)
"The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is long-suffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance."
(2 Peter 3:9)
It is clear that the first and foremost aspect of God's will is that all men and women come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved. This is the foundational first step in aligning ourselves with God's will.
Just as God gave specific borders yet allowed flexibility within those boundaries, He gives us clear guidelines in some areas while allowing us freedom to seek His will in others.
And to support hat God has set up processes that enable us to seek wise council.
The appointment of leaders here shows the importance of seeking and trusting godly leadership and counsel in our lives.
So, firstly we are to pursue the Will of God in Salvation The most explicit aspect of God's will is our salvation. Ensuring we are right with God is the first step in understanding His will for other areas of our lives.
But when faced with decisions not explicitly covered in Scripture we can use the principles of seeking wise counsel, along with prayer, and examining the circumstances through the lens of biblical truth.
We now turn to the second specific aspect of God's will:
2. Sanctification.
It is God’s will that we are sanctified and set apart for Him.
This term, sanctified is often thought of as just a theological term, but it is explicitly linked to the will of God in the New Testament.
Sanctification Defined
"This is the will of God, your sanctification."
(1 Thessalonians 4:3)
This is as direct as it gets—sanctification is God's will for us. But what does sanctification mean? Simply put, it means being set apart for the Lord.
Lets unpack this a little.
I believe the Bible tell us that there are four aspects of sanctification
From the book of 1 Thessalonians, we can extract four aspects of sanctification, each clearly identified as part of God's will:
A. Moral Purity
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 continues:
That you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honour, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God."
(1 Thes 4: 3-5)
Moral purity is a key component of sanctification. This includes abstaining from sexual immorality. Peter in the forth chapter of his first letter reinforces this, indicating that believers should live for the will of God and not indulge in human lusts.
B. Rejoice Always.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs:
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."
(1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)
We are too rejoice Always: Christians are called to maintain joy in all circumstances. This is more than just being happy—it's about finding joy in the Lord regardless of situations. James 1:2-4 reminds us to even count trials as joy because they will lead us to spiritual maturity.
C. Pray Without Ceasing
This doesn't mean praying every second of the day but rather it’s about maintaining a constant attitude of prayer. The Greek text suggests a pattern of recurring prayer, like a dripping tap consistent, more than continuous.
D. Give Thanks in Everything
This means cultivating gratitude in all circumstances, not necessarily for the circumstances themselves, but within them.
So, reminding you again.
Moral purity is a key component of sanctification. This includes having correct relations ship within our community but also on a personal level abstaining from sexual immorality.
Rejoicing Always:
This requires a perspective shift, even seeing trials as opportunities to trust God. When faced with difficulties, instead of complaining, recognize them as chances for growth and deeper reliance on God.
Praying Without Ceasing:
Incorporate prayer into daily routines. Instead of only setting aside specific times, make prayer a regular part of everyday activities, for us today that could mean while driving, walking, during breaks, or even in moments of stillness.
Giving Thanks in Everything:
Develop a habit of gratitude. Reflect daily on things to be thankful for, no matter how small. This fosters a positive outlook and aligns our hearts with God's will.
Sanctification involves more than just avoiding sin—it encompasses moral purity, rejoicing always, praying without ceasing, and giving thanks in every situation.
Third aspect of God’s will for us
3. Submission
Submission is a crucial aspect of God's will. This includes submission to governmental authorities, as outlined in 1 Peter 2:13-16, and to one another within the Church. (Ephesians 5:21). In fact, as believers are also called to submit to church leaders. Because of the individualistic nature of our modern western democracies a lot of people don’t find this one easy. But Hebrews 13:17 tells us submission fosters order and harmony in society and the church.
4. Spiritual Transformation
Fourth, and finally spiritual transformation is a key part of God's will. Romans 12:1-2 calls for believers to present their bodies as living sacrifices and doing so will allow their mind to be renewed. This transformation aligns us with God's will and is achieved through the Holy Spirit as we immerse ourselves in His Word (2 Corinthians 3:18).
So, in conclusion following on from receiving any insight into the will of God for your life let me close by saying something about applying it in your life.
Salvation and Sanctification:
· Ensure you have embraced the gift of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
· Pursue a sanctified life by practicing moral purity, maintaining a joyful spirit, praying continually, and cultivating gratitude.
· Respect and obey governmental authorities and church leaders.
· Foster a spirit of mutual submission within the Christian community.
· Regularly renew your mind through scripture and allow the Holy Spirit to transform you.
· Strive to reflect the character of Christ in your daily life.
God's will is both specific, yet at the same time wide ranging. He provides clear boundaries, but within those boundaries, there is freedom:
So, what does God have to say about the most practical aspects of our lives.
Where to Live:
You can live in anywhere, New York, London, Paris, Munich.
Yes even abroad, my American friends, you can live abroad and still remain in God's will. As long as you are living a saved, sanctified, submissive, and spiritually transformed life.
Career Choices:
Your development of finding God will in your life along with your talents and spiritual gifts can guide you in choosing a career. God’s will often align with the abilities He has given you.
But you can pretty much do anything.
Consider how your career can serve God’s purposes and allow you to use your gifts effectively and make that your priority, then go do whatever/
Marriage:
According to 1 Corinthians 7:39, believers are free to marry anyone they choose, provided the person is a Christian also. Use wisdom in choosing a spouse, definitely consider compatibility and shared values but other than that nothing else matters, except that they are a believer as well.
Final Thoughts
This passage among many other shows that the will of God is specific, yet provides freedom within defined boundaries. This means you can make personal choices that align with His overarching purposes. As long as you are saved, sanctified, submissive, and being spiritually transformed, you are within God's will.
God will is clear and specific in its requirements, but within those boundaries, there is freedom for personal decision-making.
You can ultimately live within God's will by embracing salvation, pursuing sanctification, practicing submission, and undergoing spiritual transformation.
This framework when applied will guide you in making choices that honour God and fulfil His purposes for your life, your entire life.