These are the Names of the Tribes

 

 

Ezekiel 48:1-14

 

February 29, 2024

 

These are the Names of the Tribes

“These are the names of the tribes: Beginning at the northern extreme, beside the way of Hethlon to Lebo-hamath, as far as Hazar-enan (which is on the northern border of Damascus over against Hamath), and extending from the east side to the west, Dan, one portion.  Adjoining the territory of Dan, from the east side to the west, Asher, one portion.  Adjoining the territory of Asher, from the east side to the west, Naphtali, one portion.  Adjoining the territory of Naphtali, from the east side to the west, Manasseh, one portion.  Adjoining the territory of Manasseh, from the east side to the west, Ephraim, one portion.  Adjoining the territory of Ephraim, from the east side to the west, Reuben, one portion.  Adjoining the territory of Reuben, from the east side to the west, Judah, one portion.

“Adjoining the territory of Judah, from the east side to the west, shall be the portion which you shall set apart, 25,000 cubits in breadth, and in length equal to one of the tribal portions, from the east side to the west, with the sanctuary in the midst of it.  The portion that you shall set apart for the Lord shall be 25,000 cubits in length and 20,000 in breadth.  These shall be the allotments of the holy portion: the priests shall have an allotment measuring 25,000 cubits on the northern side, 10,000 cubits in breadth on the western side, 10,000 in breadth on the eastern side, and 25,000 in length on the southern side, with the sanctuary of the Lord in the midst of it.  This shall be for the consecrated priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept my charge, who did not go astray when the people of Israel went astray, as the Levites did.  And it shall belong to them as a special portion from the holy portion of the land, a most holy place, adjoining the territory of the Levites.  And alongside the territory of the priests, the Levites shall have an allotment 25,000 cubits in length and 10,000 in breadth. The whole length shall be 25,000 cubits and the breadth 20,000.  They shall not sell or exchange any of it. They shall not alienate this choice portion of the land, for it is holy to the Lord

One might read this and say well that's all about the 12 tribes getting an allotment or their portion of land.  But if you read past verse 11, you missed a significant verse; This shall be for the consecrated priests, the sons of Zadok, who kept my charge, who did not go astray when the people of Israel went astray, as the Levites did.  What is the message to the Church?  As you think through verse eleven, you must understand that Zadok's faithfulness had a far-reaching effect on future generations that came from his lineage.  

Once more I am reminded of these words from King David, found in Psalm 143:8, “Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for in you I trust.  Make me know the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.”   Trust is essential, yes necessary for a follower of Christ.  I am guilty of acting as if God is in total agreement with all the things I‘ve planned.  But that is not what a man after God’s own heart did, no David before entering battle always asked the Lord to guide his steps.

It should remind you and me of this great verse found in Psalm 119:105, Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.  Jan and I were teaching a class of young married couples in Spring Texas, on Psalm 119, and when we got to verse 105, the teacher asked a question on that verse.  It was that day a young man said, “Bob, this is what the Lord has revealed to me, it is not a spotlight, it does not look around the corners on my main street, it is the right amount of light to keep me from stumbling as I take the next step.”  That day the student became a teacher to me, I was living as if it was a spotlight, not a lamp, and I’m sure from observation that many of us are doing so.

 

We are told in Scripture and often quoted, from Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”  Yes, we hear that verse often, but not verse 12-13, “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you.  You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”  Yes, God has a special plan for your life, but it comes back to trust and obedience.  Do you recall Jesus asking Peter do you love me three times, and Peter saying Lord, you know that I love you, but do you recall what Jesus told Peter?  Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

That was not addressed to pastors, teachers, and missionaries only, but to His Church.  First, we must trust Him, let His Word be the light we need to bring love and integrity to those we encounter, and let each of us listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit to give us marching orders, for that moment.

From the Back Porch, 

Bob Rice