Ezekiel 48:29 and 34-35 -"This is the land you
are to allot as an inheritance to the tribes of Israel, and these will be their
portions," declares the Sovereign LORD.
"On the west side, which is 4,500 cubits long, will be
three gates: the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher and the gate of Naphtali. "The distance all
around will be 18,000 cubits. "And the name of the city from that time on
will be: THE LORD IS THERE."
The last words Ezekiel heard in his vision was how to divide
the land God gave them among the people he had chosen to be his. God set apart
a portion for himself …then each tribe received a portion. Each portion had
clear boundaries….with the priests living just outside the city that God placed
central to all the land.
The note in my Life Application Bible said that God’s clear
directions and accounting of all the tribes showed his desire to accommodate all
people who believe. It made the point that God’s choice to place the city and
Temple central to all the portions emphasized the need to keep worship central
in our lives. It was meant to take the people’s eyes off of the world around
them…so they could focus more easily on Jehovah… who was taking care of them.
The world has become such a distraction that I need a reminder
every day to keep my goals and purposes set toward him. The distractions start
with the news I watch after writing….continue throughout a busy day at school…hit
me the hardest after school running here and there to do this and that…till I open
my Bible each night at bedtime to refocus on him before I sleep.
It does not surprise me that God ends his visit with Ezekiel
with these words. I found myself staring
at the end of this book …filled with so much rich wisdom. The Bible doesn’t
record his death…just the rich insights and visions that God gave him. I am so
thankful that his faithful obedience to God was recorded so that I may learn
from its words too.
Father…thank you for the reminder that I need to work
constantly to stay focused on you and keep you central to all my thoughts each
day. I thank you for the life of Ezekiel
and the faith he modeled throughout the writings you let him record. Forgive me for the times that I let my
concentration fall…and drift away from your plan for me. Help me to stay more focused and keep my eyes
on you. Amen.
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