Numbers 26:54
Increase the inheritance for a large tribe and decrease it for a small one; each tribe is to receive its inheritance according to the number of those registered.
Increase the inheritance for a large tribe
This directive reflects the practical and equitable distribution of the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel. The larger tribes, having more people, required more land to sustain their population. This principle of proportionality ensures that resources are allocated based on need and capacity. Historically, this allocation was crucial for maintaining social stability and economic viability within the tribes. The concept of inheritance here also foreshadows the New Testament teaching of spiritual inheritance, where believers receive blessings according to their faith and capacity to serve (Ephesians 1:11).

and decrease it for a small one;
This phrase underscores the fairness in distribution, ensuring that smaller tribes receive a portion appropriate to their size. It highlights God's justice and care for all His people, regardless of their size or strength. This principle can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament teaching that God provides for each according to their needs (Philippians 4:19). It also reflects the idea that in God's kingdom, each person or group has a role and place, regardless of their earthly status or size.

each tribe is to receive its inheritance
The concept of inheritance is central to the identity and future of the Israelite tribes. It signifies not only land but also the fulfillment of God's promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This inheritance is a tangible sign of God's covenant faithfulness. In a broader theological context, it points to the spiritual inheritance believers receive through Christ, as co-heirs with Him (Romans 8:17). The land inheritance is a type of the eternal inheritance promised to believers, symbolizing rest and blessing.

according to the number of those registered.
The registration refers to the census taken to determine the number of men eligible for military service, as recorded earlier in Numbers 26. This census was not only for military purposes but also for organizing the distribution of land. It reflects the importance of order and structure in God's plans. The registration process ensures that each tribe's inheritance is based on an accurate and fair assessment of its needs. This meticulous attention to detail in God's instructions highlights His sovereignty and the importance of obedience to His commands.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who is overseeing the census and the distribution of the land.

2. Eleazar
The priest who assists Moses in the census and the allocation of the land.

3. Israelites
The people of God who are being counted and prepared to enter the Promised Land.

4. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

5. Tribes of Israel
The twelve tribes, each descending from one of the sons of Jacob, who are to receive portions of the land.
Teaching Points
God's Sovereignty in Provision
God determines the inheritance of each tribe, reflecting His sovereign will and provision for His people. Trust in God's provision for your life, knowing He knows your needs.

Equity and Justice
The distribution of land according to the size of each tribe demonstrates God's fairness and justice. In our lives, we should strive to reflect God's justice in our dealings with others.

Community and Responsibility
Each tribe's inheritance was tied to their numbers, emphasizing the importance of community and shared responsibility. Engage actively in your community, recognizing that your actions impact the collective well-being.

Faithfulness in Stewardship
The tribes were to manage their allotted land wisely. Similarly, we are called to be faithful stewards of the resources and gifts God has given us.

Preparation for Future Blessings
The census and allocation of land were preparations for entering the Promised Land. Prepare your heart and life for the blessings God has in store, being ready to step into His promises.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the principle of distributing land according to the size of each tribe reflect God's character?

2. In what ways can we apply the concept of equitable distribution in our communities today?

3. How does understanding God's sovereignty in Numbers 26:54 help us trust Him with our personal circumstances?

4. What are some practical ways we can be faithful stewards of the resources God has entrusted to us?

5. How can we prepare ourselves spiritually and practically for the blessings God has promised us, as the Israelites prepared to enter the Promised Land?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 12:7
God's promise to Abraham about giving his descendants the land, which is being fulfilled in Numbers 26.

Joshua 14-19
The actual division of the land among the tribes, as initially instructed in Numbers 26.

Acts 17:26
The principle of God determining the times and boundaries of nations, reflecting His sovereignty in the allocation of land.

1 Corinthians 12:12-27
The body of Christ and the distribution of spiritual gifts, paralleling the distribution of land according to need and size.
The Second CensusD. Young Numbers 26:1-62
The Lot is to Decide Where Every Tribe Shall Receive its InheritanceW. Binnie Numbers 26:52-56
People
Aaron, Abihu, Abiram, Ahiram, Ahiramites, Amram, Ard, Ardites, Areli, Arelites, Arod, Arodites, Ashbel, Ashbelites, Asher, Asriel, Asrielites, Becher, Becherites, Bela, Belaites, Benjamin, Beriah, Beriites, Berites, Caleb, Carmi, Carmites, Dan, Dathan, Eleazar, Eliab, Elon, Elonites, Enoch, Enochites, Er, Eran, Eranites, Eri, Erites, Gad, Gershon, Gershonites, Gileadites, Guni, Gunites, Haggai, Haggi, Haggites, Hamul, Hamulites, Hanoch, Hanochites, Heber, Heberites, Hebronites, Helek, Helekites, Helkites, Hepher, Hepherites, Hezron, Hezronites, Hoglah, Hupham, Huphamites, Iezerites, Imnah, Imnites, Ishvites, Israelites, Issachar, Ithamar, Jachin, Jachinites, Jahleel, Jahleelites, Jahzeel, Jahzeelites, Jamin, Jaminites, Jashub, Jashubites, Jeezer, Jeezerites, Jephunneh, Jesui, Jesuites, Jezer, Jezerites, Jimna, Jimnah, Jimnites, Jishvites, Jochebed, Joseph, Joshua, Kohath, Kohathites, Korah, Korahites, Korathites, Levi, Levites, Libnites, Machir, Machirites, Mahlah, Mahlites, Malchiel, Malchielites, Manasseh, Merari, Merarites, Milcah, Miriam, Moses, Mushites, Naaman, Naamites, Nadab, Naphtali, Nemuel, Nemuelites, Noah, Nun, Onan, Ozni, Oznites, Pallu, Palluites, Perez, Perezites, Phallu, Phalluites, Pharez, Pua, Puah, Punites, Reuben, Reubenites, Sarah, Sardites, Saul, Saulites, Serah, Sered, Seredites, Shaul, Shaulites, Shechemites, Shelah, Shelanites, Shemida, Shemidaites, Shillem, Shillemites, Shimron, Shimronites, Shuham, Shuhamites, Shuni, Shunites, Shupham, Shuphamites, Shuthelah, Shuthelahites, Simeon, Simeonites, Tahan, Tahanites, Tirzah, Tola, Tolaites, Zarhites, Zebulun, Zebulunites, Zelophehad, Zephon, Zephonites, Zerah, Zerahites
Places
Canaan, Egypt, Jericho, Jordan River, Moab, Peor, Sinai
Topics
Diminish, Families, Family, Fewer, Greater, Group, Heritage, Increase, Inheritance, Large, Larger, Less, Listed, Numbered, Numbers, Ones, Receive, Relation, Smaller, Tribe
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Numbers 26:1-61

     5671   clan

Numbers 26:1-62

     7230   genealogies

Numbers 26:1-65

     5249   census

Numbers 26:52-54

     5903   maturity, physical

Numbers 26:52-55

     4208   land, divine responsibility

Numbers 26:54-56

     7392   lots, casting of

Library
The Census of Israel
Thirty-eight years had passed away since the first numbering at Sinai, and the people had come to the borders of the Promised Land; for they were in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho. The time had come for another census. The wisdom which commanded the counting of Israel at the beginning of the wilderness journey, also determined to count them at the end of it. This would show that he did not value them less than in former years; it would afford proof that his word of judgment had been fulfilled
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

The Training of a Statesman.
MOSES IN EGYPT AND THE WILDERNESS.--EX. 1:1; 7:5. Parallel Readings. Goodnow, F. J., Comparative Administrative Law. Hist. Bible I, 151-69. And he went out on the following day and saw two men of the Hebrews striving together; and he said to the one who was doing the wrong, Why do you smite your fellow-workman? But he replied, Who made you a prince and a judge over us? Do you intend to kill me as you killed the Egyptian? Then Moses was afraid and said, Surely the thing is known. When, therefore,
Charles Foster Kent—The Making of a Nation

Numbers
Like the last part of Exodus, and the whole of Leviticus, the first part of Numbers, i.-x. 28--so called,[1] rather inappropriately, from the census in i., iii., (iv.), xxvi.--is unmistakably priestly in its interests and language. Beginning with a census of the men of war (i.) and the order of the camp (ii.), it devotes specific attention to the Levites, their numbers and duties (iii., iv.). Then follow laws for the exclusion of the unclean, v. 1-4, for determining the manner and amount of restitution
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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