Boundaries Part 2

Part 2:

Throughout the books of Genesis and Exodus God is calling his creation to himself. He is revealing who he is and what he wants to do for his children. He calls a group of people, the Israelites, to himself through Abraham. He begins by promising them a land of their own. A land separate for his holy ones.

“The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you. “I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you.” Genesis 12:1-3

Abram packed up his family and headed out in faith to this new land. This promised land was the land of Canaan. As the family grew to a nation, Moses was chosen by God to lead them.

“The Lord said to Moses, “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:” Numbers 34:1-2

Canaan was set within boundaries. God was very clear about them too. They look like this: 

“‘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, 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, where it will turn, join the Wadi of Egypt and end at the Mediterranean Sea.

 “‘Your western boundary will be the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This will be your boundary on the west.” 

‘For your northern boundary, run a line from the Mediterranean Sea to Mount Hor and from Mount Hor to Lebo Hamath. Then the boundary will go to Zedad, continue to Ziphron and end at Hazar Enan. This will be your boundary on the north.

“‘For your eastern boundary, run a line from Hazar Enan to Shepham. 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. 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 34:3-12

Why does God give boundaries? Why was he so specific in setting the details of the boundaries? He gives boundaries because he loves us. He wants to protect us and have us receive the very best that he has to offer. His boundaries are given to ensure that we are safe. Originally, Canaan was a nation of ungodliness. They were a corrupt nation that served pagan gods and practiced immoral acts. The countries that bordered this nation were no better. When his people took possession of the land, God wanted them to have a safe haven.

Boundaries are a blessing from God.