A PROMISED INHERITANCE
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Opening Prayer
Lord God, please use your Word to inspire me today. Help me to read it with my heart as well as my mind. Use it to build my faith and motivate me to serve you with greater zeal.
Read EZEKIEL 47:13–23
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
The Boundaries of the Land
13 This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “These are the boundaries of the land that you will divide among the twelve tribes of Israel as their inheritance, with two portions for Joseph. 14 You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with uplifted hand to give it to your ancestors, this land will become your inheritance.
15 “This is to be the boundary of the land:
“On the north side it will run from the Mediterranean Sea by the Hethlon road past Lebo Hamath to Zedad, 16 Berothah and Sibraim (which lies on the border between Damascus and Hamath), as far as Hazer Hattikon, which is on the border of Hauran. 17 The boundary will extend from the sea to Hazar Enan, along the northern border of Damascus, with the border of Hamath to the north. This will be the northern boundary.
18 “On the east side the boundary will run between Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between Gilead and the land of Israel, to the Dead Sea and as far as Tamar. This will be the eastern boundary.
19 “On the south side it will run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. This will be the southern boundary.
20 “On the west side, the Mediterranean Sea will be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo Hamath. This will be the western boundary.
21 “You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. 22 You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel. 23 In whatever tribe a foreigner resides, there you are to give them their inheritance,” declares the Sovereign Lord.
Reflect
‘… we have … an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.’1
We all know people who are quick to make commitments but never follow up on that dinner invitation they promised, the book they were to bring back, or the help they offered earlier. For landless people in exile, Ezekiel’s vision is a reminder that the inheritance once vowed to their ancestors will not be lost forever. God will keep his word. Firstborn sons usually received a double portion in Israel, and Joseph’s status as elevated to that rank will be recognized (v. 13).2 The tribes descended from his two sons (Manasseh and Ephraim) will each inherit,3 and God will ensure that no one will miss out (v. 14).
The location of several geographical names is uncertain, but the reference to Hamath (v. 17) suggests that the boundary to the north stretched as far as it did in David and Solomon’s time.4 The Lord is never stingy with his gifts; his restoration will evoke the glory days of God’s people. However, one notable loss of territory is the Transjordan, which two and a half tribes claimed for themselves in the original conquest (v. 18).5 This was a concession: the land God intended was never meant to extend beyond the Jordan.6 True restoration will go back to the Lord’s original design.
Finally, in a remarkable move, God declares that the resident foreigners with families (i.e., those settled in Israel) should also receive land, like those native-born (vv. 22, 23). Being landless made one vulnerable to exploitation, reliant on charity. Thus, those who tied their lives to Israel’s were to benefit from the same inheritance. God cares for the needy, even for non-Israelites. Moreover, this provision hints at God’s wider purposes that will include believing gentiles in his family.
Apply
What might be some new ways you can express the love of God for those outside of your family and Christian community?
Closing prayer
Because you always keep your promises, Lord, thank you that I can count on the inheritance you have prepared for me, which is better than anything I can imagine.
1 1 Pet 1:4, NLT. 2 Gen 49:3, 4, 22–26. 3 Gen 48:3–5. 4 1 Chr 13:5; 1 Kings 8:65. 5 Num 32. 6 Num 34:12.
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