A new census was taken to redistribute the land fairly among the tribes. God instituted an equitable system where larger tribes received more land and smaller tribes received less, with each inheritance distributed by lot. Before his death, Moses sought a leader to succeed him and guide Israel into Canaan. God chose Joshua for this role. The religious obligations of the people were also reinforced, including proper treatment of vows. Some tribes asked to settle outside Canaan, but agreed to help conquer the land first before returning to their families.

1. THESECONDGENERATION: ADMONITIONS Lesson 12 Numbers Chapters 26 - 32

2. A NEW CENSUS

3. ORGANIZINGTHELAND A second census was made to share fairly the conquered land. “The land is to be allotted to them as an inheritance based on the number of names. To a larger group give a larger inheritance, and to a smaller group a smaller one; each is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those listed. Be sure that the land is distributed by lot. What each group inherits will be according to the names for its ancestral tribe. Each inheritance is to be distributed by lot among the larger and smaller groups”. Numbers, 26: 53-56

4. ORGANIZINGTHELAND Against any cultural norm, God was equitable in dealing with inheritances. The land must always be possession of the family: The estate passed to the sons. If they had no sons, then to the daughters. If there were no direct heirs, then to the brothers. If there were no brothers, to the uncles. If there were no uncles, to the closest relative.

5. POLITICALORGANIZATION Before Moses died, he looked for a suitable leader for Israel, so they could enter Canaan. He raised his request to God. “so that the Lord’s people will not be like sheep without a shepherd” (Numbers, 27: 17) He showed the same compassion that Jesus would show later to the people. “When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd” (Mark, 6: 34)

6. POLITICALORGANIZATION Moses didn’t suggest a candidate. He put that choice in God’s hands. Why should Moses hand out the position to Joshua in front of the congregation? What does this expression mean: “And you shall give some of your authority to him” (Numbers, 27: 20)? Moses spoke face to face with God, but Joshua couldn’t do that. How should Joshua consult God to lead the conquest?

7. RELIGIOUSORGANIZATION The religious obligations are reminded to the new generation.

8. Vows RELIGIOUSORGANIZATION “This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a vow to the LORD or takes an oath to bind himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said” (Numbers, 30: 1-2 NVI) A vow is a commitment before God. An oath commits us to something before other people. “It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfil it” (Ecclesiastes, 5: 5) Should we keep a vow even if it’s against God’s law? “Then will I ever sing praise to your name and fulfil my vows day after day” (Psalm 61: 8)

9. Vows RELIGIOUSORGANIZATION “It is a trap for a man to dedicate something rashly and only later to consider his vows” (Proverbs, 20: 25)

10. MILITARYORGANIZATION Reuben and Gad tribes asked to remain at the west of the River Jordan, without entering the promise land. How harmful could that be? How was that situation solved? “People get along by speaking” (Spanishproverb)

11. MILITARYORGANIZATION How implicated in God’s work are we? Apart from fighting for their own land, the sons of Manasseh –and Reuben and Gad– didn’t act in a selfish way. They were willing to go with their brothers to conquering Canaan, with all their warriors.

12. “In reviewing our past history, having traveled over every step of advance to our present standing, I can say, Praise God! As I see what the Lord has wrought, I am filled with astonishment, and with confidence in Christ as leader. We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us”. E.G.W. (Life Sketches, cp. 31, pg. 196)

13. ADAPT it!Teaching Approach Effective for SMALL GROUPS ASSOCIATE truth – Why should I study this lesson?DISCOVER truth – What does the Bible say about this truth?APPLY truth – How can this truth affect my life today?PLAN using the truth – How can I use this truth today?TRANSFER truth to life – What changes do I need in my life? We invite you to download and study each one of the 13 lessons about the book of Numbers Slideshare.net/chucho1943