SCRIPTURE: EZEKIEL 48
THE DIVISION OF THE LAND (vs. 1-29)
Lands were divided to the 12 tribes of Israel: Dan, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, Reuben, Judah, Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun and Gad. There is a special portion measuring 25,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide to be offered to the Lord. This will be the sacred portion for the priest. The Levites will have an allotment of 2,000 cubits long and 10,000 cubits wide. This is the lot of the land which they cannot sell or exchange nor pass into other hands because it is holy tot he Lord.
The remaining are 5,000 cubits wide and 25,000 cubits long which will be the common use of the city for house and for pasture land. They city will be in the center with measurement of 4,500 cubits on 4 sides. The pasture land for the city will be 250 cubits on four sides. The remaining bordering on the sacred portion is 10,000 cubits on the east side and 10,000 cubits on the west side. Its produce will supply food for the workers of the city.
What remains on both sides of the area formed by the sacred portion and the city property will belong to the prince. Its measurement if 25,000 cubits on eastern border and 25,000 cubits on the western border.
THE GATES OF THE CITY (vs. 30-35)
The gates of city measurement is 4,500 cubits long and 4,500 cubits wide. Three gates in the north side will be Reuben, Judah and Levi. Three gates in the east side will be Joseph, Benjamin and Dan. Three gates on the south side will be Simeon, Issachar and Zebulun. Three gates on the west side will be Gad, Asher and Naphtali.
THOUGHTS:
The land will be divided into 13 parallel portions. (One to each tribe plus a sacred district) that would stretch from the Jordan River or Dead Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. The division of the land shows that there is a place in God’s kingdom for all who believes and obeys the one true God.