As we approach Numbers 35, God’s people stood on the verge the Promised Land. They were to enter and, with God’s help, to transform it from a bad land into a holy land. But this would require certain precepts—such as those in Numbers 35. This chapter contains what appears to be archaic laws, but they were foundational to a just society in the Promised Land and have a great deal to teach god’s people in the 21st century. We will consider this chapter under three broad headings:

1. Provision for the Levites (vv. 1–8)2. Protection and Punishment Under the Law (vv. 9–29)3. Pollution of the Land (vv. 30–34).