CHAPTER 48

1 Now these are the names of the tribes. From the north end to the coast of the way of Hethlon, as one goeth to Hamath, Hazar-enan, the border of Damascus northward, to the coast of Hamath; for these are his sides east and west; a portion for Dan. 2 And by the border of Dan, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Asher. 3 And by the border of Asher, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Naphtali. 4 And by the border of Naphtali, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Manasseh. 5 And by the border of Manasseh, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Ephraim. 6 And by the border of Ephraim, from the east side even unto the west side, a portion for Reuben. 7 And by the border of Reuben, from the east side unto the west side, a portion for Judah.

This is a description of the Holy Land as it will be divided in the Millenium.

The northern border of the land is described as going from the Mediterranean on the West to somewhere near Damascus on the East. From that point South to the "city," the following tribes will have equal portion: Dan, Asher, Naphtali, Mannaseh, Ephraim, Reuben, and Judah.

WIth this, I must reiterate, there is nothing boring about God's Word. And there something to be learned from every part of God's Word.

God still has a plan for the Israel of old. Even though hundreds of years have passed, the tribal names are still used.

Dan is still on the Northern border of the country, but now the tribe is mentioned FIRST. Jesus said, "...the last shall be first" (Matthew 19:30).

One cannot help but note that the main city, the portion of the Levites, and the portion for the "Prince" lie directly in the middle of all the tribes (verses 8-22).

One cannot help but not that on the North of the Levites is Judah (verse 7), and on the South is Benjamin (see verse 23).

God is compassionate and forgiving. The use of the tribal names indicate this. God is also just and a "rewarder of them that diligently seek Him" (Hebrews 11:6). Judah and Benjamin are rewarded for their faithfulness by being placed closest to the middle portions.

8 And by the border of Judah, from the east side unto the west side, shall be the offering which ye shall offer of five and twenty thousand reeds in breadth, and in length as one of the other parts, from the east side unto the west side: and the sanctuary shall be in the midst of it. 9 The oblation that ye shall offer unto the LORD shall be of five and twenty thousand in length, and of ten thousand in breadth. 10 And for them, even for the priests, shall be this holy oblation; toward the north five and twenty thousand in length, and toward the west ten thousand in breadth, and toward the east ten thousand in breadth, and toward the south five and twenty thousand in length: and the sanctuary of the LORD shall be in the midst thereof. 11 It shall be for the priests that are sanctified of the sons of Zadok; which have kept my charge, which went not astray when the children of Israel went astray, as the Levites went astray. 12 And this oblation of the land that is offered shall be unto them a thing most holy by the border of the Levites. 13 And over against the border of the priests the Levites shall have five and twenty thousand in length, and ten thousand in breadth: all the length shall be five and twenty thousand, and the breadth ten thousand. 14 And they shall not sell of it, neither exchange, nor alienate the firstfruits of the land: for it is holy unto the LORD. 15 And the five thousand, that are left in the breadth over against the five and twenty thousand, shall be a profane place for the city, for dwelling, and for suburbs: and the city shall be in the midst thereof. 16 And these shall be the measures thereof; the north side four thousand and five hundred, and the south side four thousand and five hundred, and on the east side four thousand and five hundred, and the west side four thousand and five hundred. 17 And the suburbs of the city shall be toward the north two hundred and fifty, and toward the south two hundred and fifty, and toward the east two hundred and fifty, and toward the west two hundred and fifty. 18 And the residue in length over against the oblation of the holy portion shall be ten thousand eastward, and ten thousand westward: and it shall be over against the oblation of the holy portion; and the increase thereof shall be for food unto them that serve the city. 19 And they that serve the city shall serve it out of all the tribes of Israel. 20 All the oblation shall be five and twenty thousand by five and twenty thousand: ye shall offer the holy oblation foursquare, with the possession of the city. 21 And the residue shall be for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy oblation, and of the possession of the city, over against the five and twenty thousand of the oblation toward the east border, and westward over against the five and twenty thousand toward the west border, over against the portions for the prince: and it shall be the holy oblation; and the sanctuary of the house shall be in the midst thereof. 22 Moreover from the possession of the Levites, and from the possession of the city, being in the midst of that which is the prince's, between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin, shall be for the prince.

A "holy" portion is given for the priests, and the sanctuary (temple) will be "in the midst" of that portion (verse 10). The tribe of Levi has their "portion" here. Honor is given to those who serve in the ministry, for they shall live by the donations of others. However, great responsibility is given also, because they will be given wholly to servitude of others. They will be close to the sanctuary and the constant reminder of God's presence. They will also be close to the sanctuary for the ministry to the saints.

There is a place for the main city (verse 15), which one must note, is designed foursquare. This is in light of the Holy City to come (Revelation 21:16).

Verse 19 indicates that those who serve in the city shall be chosen out of all of the tribes. It will be their duty to serve the city for ALL the people.

The "Prince" has a special portion adjacent to the city and to the sanctuary. He shall be the CENTER of all activity for He is LORD of all activity!

23 As for the rest of the tribes, from the east side unto the west side, Benjamin shall have a portion. 24 And by the border of Benjamin, from the east side unto the west side, Simeon shall have a portion. 25 And by the border of Simeon, from the east side unto the west side, Issachar a portion. 26 And by the border of Issachar, from the east side unto the west side, Zebulun a portion. 27 And by the border of Zebulun, from the east side unto the west side, Gad a portion. 28 And by the border of Gad, at the south side southward, the border shall be even from Tamar unto the waters of strife in Kadesh, and to the river toward the great sea.

Now, beginning with the tribe of Benjamin, the following have their "portion:" Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, and Gad.

The southern border of Israel shall be East from Tamar (probably Hazazon-tamar, or En-gedi (2Chronicles 20:2) to the river of Egypt at the Mediterranean on the West.

29 This is the land which ye shall divide by lot unto the tribes of Israel for inheritance, and these are their portions, saith the Lord GOD. 30 And these are the goings out of the city on the north side, four thousand and five hundred measures. 31 And the gates of the city shall be after the names of the tribes of Israel: three gates northward; one gate of Reuben, one gate of Judah, one gate of Levi. 32 And at the east side four thousand and five hundred: and three gates; and one gate of Joseph, one gate of Benjamin, one gate of Dan. 33 And at the south side four thousand and five hundred measures: and three gates; one gate of Simeon, one gate of Issachar, one gate of Zebulun. 34 At the west side four thousand and five hundred, with their three gates; one gate of Gad, one gate of Asher, one gate of Naphtali.

Again, the names of the tribes of Israel are used. Three gates on each side of the city are given the name of a tribe. Notice that Ephhraim and Manasseh are joined in "Joseph" to make room for Levi.

35 It was round about eighteen thousand measures: and the name of the city from that day shall be, The LORD is there.

The name of the city is no longer referred to as Jerusalem, but it is called "The LORD is there."

Christ will set up the kingdom and be the "Prince" of not only Israel but of the world.

And so ends the prophecy of Ezekiel, with the promise of the thousand year kingdom. Indeed it is something for all those who believe in Christ to look forward to with great anticipation.

PLEASE CONTINUE WITH US IN BIBLE STUDY TOMORROW.