Wed.’s Devo - The Lay of the Land

Read: Ezekiel 47:1-48:35; 1 Peter 2:11-3:7; Psalm 119:49-64; Proverbs 28:12-13 Ezekiel’s tour guide from God showed him a new aspect of the New Temple area. He brought Ezekiel from the altar out through the north gate around to the entrance of the eastern gate. There was a stream of water that he took Ezekiel through. For the first cubit (1,750 feet) the water was ankle deep. The next cubit was knee deep, the next was up to his waist and the last was too deep to walk in so he had to swim. He asked Ezekiel if he had been observing. He led him back the way they had come and Ezekiel was surprised to see the trees growing on both sides of the river. The man told him that this river ran all the way to the Dead Sea and would make its salty waters fresh and pure. It would abound in fish. The marshes and swamps would not be purified. Fruit trees grew on both sides of the river and they would bear a new fruit every month. The fruit would be for food and the leaves for healing. The northern border was a city north of Canaan. The eastern border was Syria and the southern border was the last town in Judah by the Dead Sea. On the west was the Mediterranean Sea. It is opposite of Lebo-hamath which means the “enclosure of wrath”. Specific instructions are given for the Gentiles who have joined their hearts with God’s people. They were to be treated like the native-born Israelites and will receive an allotment among the tribes that they identify and live with. The tribes were to have their territory in this order, from north to south: Dan, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, Reuben, Judah. Next was the land of the Zadok priests who were faithful to the Lord. The Temple would rest in the middle of their land. Below them would be the Levites and the city would be in the midst of their land. Pastureland would be on both sides for the Levites and the people who worked in the city. Below them would be the rest of the tribes: Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulon and Gad. The prince would have land to the east and west of the Temple. If you draw this out it makes the sign of the cross. The prince’s land is the cross bar. There were three gates on each side of the entrance into the city. Each gate was named a different tribe. On the north was Reuben, Judah and Levi. On the East was Joseph, Benjamin, and Dan. South was Zebulun, Issachar and Simeon and on the west was Naphtali, Asher and Gad. The distance around the whole city was 6 miles and the city would be called “The Lord is There.” In First Peter the main theme is our response and behavior whether it is with an unbelieving and harsh boss or spouse. The instruction is the same. We should live honorably and respectfully. We obey authority and follow God’s order of authority. We endure persecution and wrong accusations and prove our innocence by our lifestyles. Lord, help us to honor You with our lives and let our actions bring you glory. Thank you for the picture of Your new kingdom which is fair and good. We look forward for the things you are preparing for us.