September 12 - Ezekiel 46-48: God Parcels Israel's (Returned) Land

Today’s Reading: Ezekiel 46-48

The Message

English Standard Version

We've now read 30 of 39 Old Testament books! We are less than 20 days away from finishing the Old Testament! Keep going! You're almost there!

Thought to Guide Your Reading

The prince would be given more land and would be responsible for more of the offerings.

Summary in 100 Words or Less

God continued, "The prince should supply the offering for everyone. Everyone except the prince should exit the opposite gate they enter.
"The royal family's land may be given to servants but must return at the Jubilee. The royal family cannot run any family off their land."
God showed me a river that would supply water and fish for the local people. Then God told me how to divide the land between the tribes and current residents of Israel. The Levites and priests would receive choice parts of the land for their pastures. There would be a new city, named "God-Is-There".

How Today’s Reading Contributes to the Gospel: God is Setting All Things Right

The royal family would be given a larger amount of land but a larger amount of responsibility.

The royal family taking land was commonplace in the area. Jezebel taking Naboth's vineyard cost Ahab his family's future. God wanted to make sure Ahab's situation never repeated. Princes were also charged with supplying animals for the corporate sacrifice. This responsibility would tie the royal family to the rest of the country. This arrangement would prevent the need for bribes and a blasé attitude toward Israel. God's way is for the leadership to have more possessions in return for more responsibility.

God gave land to the resident aliens among Israel.

This is a very big shift from the first time Israel settled Canaan. God would open His Temple to the nations and open His Land to people who will set things right. The reason He wanted the previous inhabitants to be driven out was because they worshiped other gods. God has not changed—the people living in the land have changed. God accepts anyone willing to set things right.

God prepares for His Chosen People to return.

Similarly to the first time God parceled out Israel's land, God wanted to make sure they knew where they were to go. For a god who punished His chosen People for disobeying Him, He cares enough to plan their return. That is the greatest comfort we can get from this book—God cares enough for His Chosen People that He will prepare their way when they exit their punishment.

What did you think of Ezekiel?


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