Prophesy of Future Inheritances
In this, like the last chapter, we have further instructions given on the
distribution of the land and the metes and bounds assigned in the foregoing
chapter. The unit of measurement found in these last two chapters is
uncertain. Many have tried using the reed or the cubit but most agree that this
to is to be understood in a spiritual manner and Infinite Wisdom will determine
their exact proportion, as will be the Gospel Church. In every case, Ephraim
and Manasseh have been combined to form the Tribe of Joseph. We have here:
- The assignments given to the 12 tribes, 7 to the north of the
sanctuary and 5 to the south. One first notices that the division
of the land is totally different here than it was under Joshua.
That was a physical distribution here it is a spiritual
distribution. This distribution does not agree with the order of
their birth nor does it relate to the blessings given them by Jacob
or Moses. Here the Tribe of Dan is first provided for while in
Joshua, they were last supporting what is written in Matt. 19:30,
"in the Gospel the first shall be last and the last first." While
the first distribution was accomplished by the casting of lots, this
one is by the will of God which will eliminate the murmurings that
accompanied the first distribution. This establishes that under the
Gospel, the Lord will determine our portion and we will be satisfied
and thankful for it.
- The allotment of land to be given to the Temple and the priests and
Levites as well as the city and the prince, much of what we have had
before. Unlike Jerusalem, the new Temple will be located near the
center of the Holy City and accommodations will be made for those
who minister to it.
- A plan of the city, its gates and the new name given to it. Notice
the city will be exactly square, each side 4,500 measurers long.
Each side shall have 3 gates, a total of 12, each one named after
one of the Tribes of Israel. Nowhere is the city called Jerusalem
and nowhere is the land called Canaan. On the north the gates will
be called Reuben, Judah and Levi, on the east, Joseph, Benjamin and
Dan, on the south, Simeon, Issachar and Zebulun and on the west,
Gad, Asher and Naphtali. Note the name of the city shall be, "THE
LORD IS THERE."
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