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Gathered To His People (Numbers 31:2) This is an express of hope and comfort that is spoken concerning many of God’s faithful, but what does it indicate? |
Gathered To His People (Numbers 31:2)
This is an express of hope and comfort that is spoken concerning many of God’s faithful, but what does it indicate?
- Separate From Physical Death—Yes, this indicated that Moses would die but that phrase is used in addition to death (Gen. 25:7-8; 35:29; 49:33). One died and then was gathered to their people, a reminder that the soul lives on after the body dies (James 2:26).
- Separate From Burial—Yes, Moses would be buried too; but still more was indicated. Many propose this simply means one is buried with their ancestors, yet a number of instances show a distinction between being buried with ancestors and gathered to their people (Gen. 15:15; 25:8-10; 49:33; 50:13; 35:29); Moses and Aaron are both examples in that neither was buried with ancestors and yet they are said to be gathered to their people (Num. 20:23-26; Deut. 32:48-50; 34:6).
- Indicates An Eternal Home Of The Soul — What we are reminded of is that the soul is not destroyed at death, it lives and on would be united with those who had gone before. These believed they had an eternal, heavenly home (Heb. 11:16); an understanding shared by others (Eccl. 12:7; 2 Sam. 12:22-23). This is confirmed by Jesus teaching that, though dead, these men lived on (Matt. 22:31-32; 8:11). This was an expression that would give them home and comfort, and can do the same for us today as we realize we have a home we can anticipate with God and the faithful (John 14:1-3; 2 Cor. 5:1; Rev. 14:13; 1 Thess. 4:13-18).
