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“Allot the Land as an Inheritance”Pure Worship of Jehovah—Restored At Last!
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CHAPTER 20
“Allot the Land as an Inheritance”
FOCUS: The meaning of the division of the land
1, 2. (a) What instructions does Ezekiel receive from Jehovah? (b) What questions will we consider?
EZEKIEL has just seen a vision that must have made his thoughts travel back nearly 900 years to the days of Moses and Joshua. At that time, Jehovah outlined to Moses the boundaries of the Promised Land and later told Joshua how that land should be allotted among the tribes of Israel. (Num. 34:1-15; Josh. 13:7; 22:4, 9) But now, in the year 593 B.C.E., Jehovah instructs Ezekiel and his fellow exiles to allot the Promised Land among the tribes of Israel again!—Ezek. 45:1; 47:14; 48:29.
2 What message did this vision contain for Ezekiel and his fellow exiles? Why is this vision a source of encouragement for God’s people today? Will it see a larger fulfillment in the future?
A Vision With a Four-Fold Assurance
3, 4. (a) Ezekiel’s final vision provided the exiles with what four assurances? (b) In this chapter, what guarantee will we examine?
3 The final vision that Ezekiel received fills nine chapters of his book. (Ezek. 40:1–48:35) It provided the exiles with four heartening assurances about the renewed nation of Israel. What were those assurances? First, pure worship would be restored in God’s temple. Second, righteous priests and shepherds would lead the restored nation. Third, land inheritances would be reserved for all those who would return to Israel. And fourth, Jehovah would be with them, dwelling among them again.
4 Chapters 13 and 14 of this publication considered how the first two guarantees—the restoration of true worship and the leadership by righteous shepherds—would come true. In this chapter, we will focus on the third guarantee, the promise about the inheritance of the land. In the following chapter, we will consider the promise regarding the presence of Jehovah.—Ezek. 47:13-21; 48:1-7, 23-29.
“This Land . . . Is Assigned to You as an Inheritance”
5, 6. (a) In Ezekiel’s vision, what territory was to be assigned? (See opening picture.) (b) What was the purpose of the vision of land assignment?
5 Read Ezekiel 47:14. In vision, Jehovah directed Ezekiel’s attention to a portion of land that would soon resemble “the garden of Eden.” (Ezek. 36:35) Then Jehovah stated: “This is the territory that you will assign as the land inheritance of the 12 tribes of Israel.” (Ezek. 47:13) “The territory” to be assigned was the restored land of Israel to which the exiles would return. Next, as recorded at Ezekiel 47:15-21, Jehovah went on to describe in detail the precise external boundaries of the whole land.
6 What was the purpose of this vision of land assignment? The description of the precisely measured boundaries reassured Ezekiel and his fellow exiles that their beloved land would definitely be restored. Imagine how that reassurance from Jehovah, in such detailed and descriptive language, must have lifted the hearts of the exiles! Did God’s ancient people indeed receive land that was allotted to them as an inheritance? Yes, they did.
7. (a) What events began in 537 B.C.E., reminding us of what? (b) What question will we consider first?
7 In 537 B.C.E., some 56 years after Ezekiel received his vision, thousands of exiles began to return to the land of Israel and take possession of it. Those remarkable events of long ago remind us of a similar development that has been taking place among God’s people in modern times. In a way, they too received an allotment of land. How so? Jehovah allowed his servants to enter a spiritual land and take possession of it. That being the case, the restoration of the ancient Promised Land can teach us much about the restoration of the spiritual land of God’s people today. But before we consider these lessons, let us first answer the question, “Why can we conclude that a spiritual land truly exists today?”
8. (a) Jehovah replaced the nation of natural Israelites with what nation? (b) What is the spiritual land, or paradise? (c) When did it come into existence, and who have settled in it?
8 In an earlier vision given to Ezekiel, Jehovah indicated that prophecies about Israel’s restoration would see a greater fulfillment after his “servant David,” Jesus Christ, began to rule as King. (Ezek. 37:24) That event occurred in 1914 C.E. By that time, the nation of natural Israelites had long since been replaced as God’s people by a nation of spiritual Israelites, made up of spirit-anointed Christians. (Read Matthew 21:43; 1 Peter 2:9.) However, Jehovah replaced not only the natural nation of Israel with a spiritual nation but also the physical land of Israel with a spiritual land, or paradise. (Isa. 66:8) As we saw in Chapter 17 of this publication, the spiritual land is the secure spiritual environment, or realm of activity, in which the remnant of the anointed ones have been worshipping Jehovah since 1919. (See box 9B, “Why 1919?”) As time progressed, those with an earthly hope, the “other sheep,” also began to settle in this spiritual land. (John 10:16) While the spiritual paradise continues to develop and expand today, its blessings will be experienced to the fullest extent only after Armageddon.
Dividing the Land Evenly and Precisely
9. What detailed instructions did Jehovah give about the allotment of the land itself?
9 Read Ezekiel 48:1, 28. After having established the outer boundaries of the land, Jehovah described in detail how to allot the land itself. He directed that the 12 tribal inheritances be laid out evenly and precisely from north to south, starting with the tribe of Dan at the northern tip of the land and ending with the tribe of Gad at the southernmost boundary. Each of the 12 inheritances consisted of a horizontal strip of territory stretching from the land’s outer boundary in the east to the Great Sea, or the Mediterranean Sea, in the west.—Ezek. 47:20.
10. What assurances did this part of the vision likely convey to the exiles?
10 What assurances did this part of the vision likely convey to the exiles? The detailed description that Ezekiel gave of the land allotment must have impressed on the exiles that the dividing of the land would be a well-organized project. Moreover, the precise division of the land among all 12 tribes underlined that every one of the returned exiles would receive a secure inheritance in the restored land. No one would return only to end up landless or homeless.
11. What lessons can we draw from the prophetic vision of the land allotment? (See the box “The Allotment of the Land.”)
11 What strengthening lessons can we draw from this vision today? The restored Promised Land had a place not only for the priests, the Levites, and the chieftains but also for all other members of the 12 tribes. (Ezek. 45:4, 5, 7, 8) Similarly today, the spiritual paradise has a place not only for the anointed remnant and for those among the “great crowd” who take the lead but also for all other members of the great crowd.a (Rev. 7:9) No matter how modest our role in the organization may be, we have a secure place and a valuable assignment in the spiritual land. What a heartwarming assurance!
Two Significant Differences—What Do They Mean for Us?
12, 13. What specific instructions did Jehovah give about assigning the tribes shares in the land?
12 Some of Jehovah’s instructions about the allotting of land might have puzzled Ezekiel because they differed from those that God had given Moses. Consider two such differences. One has to do with the land; the other, with its inhabitants.
13 First, the land. Moses had been instructed to give the larger tribes more land than the smaller ones. (Num. 26:52-54) However, in Ezekiel’s vision, Jehovah gave specific instructions to assign all tribes “equal shares [“each like his brother,” ftn.].” (Ezek. 47:14) Thus, the distance from the northern border to the southern border in a tribal inheritance was to be exactly the same in each of the 12 allotments. All Israelites—no matter which tribe they belonged to—would have equal access to the natural bounty that the well-watered Promised Land was capable of producing.
14. How did Jehovah’s instructions regarding the foreign residents go beyond what had been stated in the Mosaic Law?
14 Second, the inhabitants. The Mosaic Law protected foreigners and allowed them to share in worshipping Jehovah, but they had no share in the land. (Lev. 19:33, 34) However, what Jehovah now told Ezekiel went beyond what He had stated in the Law. Jehovah instructed him: “Give the foreign resident an inheritance in the territory of the tribe where he has taken up residence.” With that command, Jehovah swept away a major difference between the “native-born Israelites” and the foreign residents in the land. (Ezek. 47:22, 23) In the restored land that Ezekiel saw in vision, he observed among its inhabitants equality and unity in worship.—Lev. 25:23.
15. What eternal truth about Jehovah was confirmed by his instructions about the land and its inhabitants?
15 These two remarkable instructions that Ezekiel received about the land and its people must have reassured the exiles. They knew that Jehovah would allot an equal place to them, whether they were Israelites by birth or were foreigners who worshipped Jehovah. (Ezra 8:20; Neh. 3:26; 7:6, 25; Isa. 56:3, 8) These instructions also confirmed the uplifting and eternal truth that to Jehovah, all his servants are equally precious. (Read Haggai 2:7.) Today, whether we have a heavenly hope or an earthly one, we cherish that same truth.
16, 17. (a) How do we benefit from considering the details about the land and the inhabitants? (b) What will we consider in the following chapter?
16 How do we benefit from considering these details about the land and the inhabitants? We are reminded that equality and unity need to be outstanding features of our worldwide brotherhood today. Jehovah is not partial. We need to ask ourselves: ‘Do I reflect Jehovah’s impartiality? Do I treat each fellow worshipper with heartfelt respect, no matter what his racial background or circumstances in life may be?’ (Rom. 12:10) We rejoice that Jehovah has given all of us equal access to the spiritual paradise, where we render whole-souled sacred service to our heavenly Father and enjoy his blessings.—Gal. 3:26-29; Rev. 7:9.
17 Let us now consider the fourth assurance given in the final part of Ezekiel’s last vision—the promise that Jehovah would be with the exiles. What lessons can we learn from that promise? We will find the answer in the following chapter.
a For a consideration of the special place and assignment that Jehovah has set apart for the priesthood and the chieftain in the spiritual land, see Chapter 14 of this publication.
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“The Name of the City . . . Will Be Jehovah Is There”Pure Worship of Jehovah—Restored At Last!
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CHAPTER 21
“The Name of the City . . . Will Be Jehovah Is There”
FOCUS: The meaning of the city and the contribution
1, 2. (a) What special portion of the land is to be set apart? (See picture on cover.) (b) The vision provides the exiles with what assurance?
IN HIS final vision, Ezekiel learns about a portion of the land that is to be set apart for a special purpose. The portion set apart is offered, not as an inheritance for a tribe of Israelites, but as a contribution to Jehovah. Ezekiel also learns about a remarkable city with an intriguing name. This part of the vision provides the exiles with a most important assurance: Jehovah will be with them when they return to their beloved homeland.
2 Ezekiel gives us a detailed description of that contribution. Let us examine this account, which is filled with meaning for us as true worshippers of Jehovah.
“The Holy Contribution Along With . . . the City”
3. What five areas made up the land that Jehovah set apart, and what purpose did those areas serve? (See the box “The Contribution That You Are to Set Apart.”)
3 The special portion of land measured 25,000 cubits (eight miles [13 km]) from north to south and 25,000 cubits from east to west. This square piece of land was called “the whole contribution.” It was divided into three horizontal sections. The upper section was for the Levites, and the middle section was set aside for the temple and the priests. Those two sections formed “the holy contribution.” The smaller lower section, or “the remaining area,” was “for common use.” It was for the city.—Ezek. 48:15, 20.
4. What lesson can be drawn from the account about the contribution to Jehovah?
4 What lesson can we draw from this account about the contribution to Jehovah? By setting apart first the land for this special contribution and then the land for the tribes, Jehovah indicated that primary importance must be given to this spiritual center of the land. (Ezek. 45:1) No doubt, the exiles learned much from this order of importance in land allotment. They needed to give Jehovah’s worship the foremost place in life. Today, we similarly view spiritual activities, such as studying God’s Word, attending Christian meetings, and sharing in the preaching work, as being of primary importance. When we imitate Jehovah’s example of setting the right priorities, we keep our daily lives centered on worship of him.
“The City Will Be in the Middle of It”
5, 6. (a) To whom did the city belong? (b) To what does the city not refer, and why not?
5 Read Ezekiel 48:15. What was the significance of “the city” and its surrounding land? (Ezek. 48:16-18) In the vision, Jehovah had told Ezekiel: “The possession of the city . . . will belong to all the house of Israel.” (Ezek. 45:6, 7) Thus, the city and its surrounding land did not belong to “the holy contribution” that was to be “set apart to Jehovah.” (Ezek. 48:9) With that distinction in mind, let us examine what the arrangement of this city might teach us today.
6 To determine what lessons we may draw from the city, we need to establish first what this city could not be. It could not refer to the rebuilt city of Jerusalem with its temple. Why not? Because the visionary city seen by Ezekiel would have no temple within it. Also, the city did not refer to any other city in the restored land of Israel. Why not? Because no city with the features described in this vision was ever built by the returned exiles or their descendants. Further, the city could not refer to a heavenly city. Why not? Because it was built on land destined “for common [or, nonsacred] use” as distinct from structures built on land exclusively set aside for sacred worship.—Ezek. 42:20.
7. What is the city that Ezekiel saw, and what does it seem to represent? (See opening picture.)
7 What, then, is the city that Ezekiel saw? Remember that he saw the city in the same vision in which he saw the land. (Ezek. 40:2; 45:1, 6) God’s Word indicates that the land refers to a spiritual land, so the city must refer to a spiritual city. In general, what is conveyed by the word “city”? The word conveys the idea of people living together as a group and forming something structured and organized. Thus, the well-ordered city that Ezekiel saw—which was laid out as a perfect square—seems to represent a well-organized seat of administration.
8. What is the realm, or sphere of influence, of this administration, and why so?
8 What is the realm, or sphere of influence, of this administration? Ezekiel’s vision reveals that this city functions within the spiritual land. Thus, this administration functions today within the realm of activity of God’s people. And what is indicated by the fact that the city stands on common, or nonsacred, land? It reminds us that the city refers, not to a heavenly, but to an earthly administration, which has been functioning for the benefit of all who inhabit the spiritual paradise.
9. (a) Who make up this earthly administration today? (b) What will Jesus do during the Millennium?
9 Who make up this earthly administration? In Ezekiel’s vision, the one taking the lead in the city government was referred to as “the chieftain.” (Ezek. 45:7) He was an overseer among the people, but he was neither a priest nor a Levite. This chieftain makes us think particularly of congregation overseers today who are not spirit-anointed. These caring spiritual shepherds from among the “other sheep” are humble earthly servants of Christ’s heavenly government. (John 10:16) During the coming Millennium, Jesus will select and appoint “in all the earth” qualified elders, or “princes.” (Ps. 45:16) Under the direction of the heavenly Kingdom, they will care for the interests of God’s people during the Millennium.
“Jehovah Is There”
10. What is the name of the city, and what assurance does that provide?
10 Read Ezekiel 48:35. The name of the city is “Jehovah Is There.” This name provides assurance that this is a city where the presence of Jehovah is felt. By showing Ezekiel this centrally located city, Jehovah, in effect, told the exiles: ‘I will be with you again!’ What an uplifting assurance!
11. What lessons can we draw from Ezekiel’s vision about the city and its meaningful name?
11 What lessons can we draw from this part of Ezekiel’s prophecy? The name of this citylike administration assures us as God’s servants today that Jehovah does dwell with his faithful servants on earth now and always will. This meaningful name also stresses a vital truth: The city exists, not to give power to any men, but to implement Jehovah’s loving and reasonable ways. For instance, Jehovah has not given the administration the authority to divide the land, so to speak, as mere humans may see fit. Instead, Jehovah expects the administrators to honor the allotments, or privileges, that he himself has given to his servants, including the “lowly” ones.—Prov. 19:17; Ezek. 46:18; 48:29.
12. (a) What is a remarkable feature of this city, and what does this illustrate? (b) This aspect of the vision provides Christian overseers with what important reminder?
12 What is yet another remarkable feature of the city “Jehovah Is There”? While ancient cities had walls for protection with as few gates as possible, this city has 12 gates! (Ezek. 48:30-34) This large number of gates (three on each side of the square city) illustrates that the administrators of this city are approachable and available to all of God’s servants. Further, the city’s having 12 gates emphasizes that it is open to everyone, “all the house of Israel.” (Ezek. 45:6) The open character of the city serves as an important reminder to Christian overseers. Jehovah wants them to be approachable and to be readily available to all those living in the spiritual paradise.
God’s People “Come in to Worship” and “Are Serving the City”
13. What did Jehovah mention about the various services people would perform?
13 Let us go back to the time of Ezekiel and find out what further details he records in this extensive vision of the allotment of the land. Jehovah mentions people sharing in various forms of service. Priests—“ministers of the sanctuary”—were to offer sacrifices and approach Jehovah to minister to him. And Levites—“ministers of the temple”—were to “take care of its service and all the things that should be done in it.” (Ezek. 44:14-16; 45:4, 5) Further, workers would be active near the city. Who are these workers?
14. The workers near the city remind us of what?
14 The workers near the city come from among “all the tribes of Israel.” They have a supportive role. Their task is to grow crops that “will provide food for those serving the city.” (Ezek. 48:18, 19) Does this arrangement remind us of an opportunity that we have today? Yes. Today all inhabitants of the spiritual paradise have the opportunity to support the service of Christ’s anointed brothers and the service of those among the “great crowd” whom Jehovah has appointed to take the lead. (Rev. 7:9, 10) A main way that we provide this support is by willingly cooperating with direction from the faithful slave.
15, 16. (a) What other detail can we glean from Ezekiel’s vision? (b) We have the opportunity to engage in what similar activities?
15 Ezekiel’s vision contains yet another detail from which we can derive a lesson regarding our ministry. What detail? Jehovah mentions that members of the 12 non-Levite tribes would be active in two locations: in the temple courtyard and on the city’s pastureland. What is their activity in each location? In the courtyard of the temple, all tribes “come in to worship” by offering sacrifices to Jehovah. (Ezek. 46:9, 24) On the land of the city, members of all tribes come to support the city by cultivating its land. What can we learn from the example of these workers?
16 Today, members of the great crowd have the opportunity to engage in activities similar to those carried out in Ezekiel’s vision. They worship Jehovah “in his temple” by offering sacrifices of praise. (Rev. 7:9-15) They do so by sharing in the preaching work and by expressing their faith aloud at Christian meetings. They view the rendering of direct worship to Jehovah as their foremost responsibility. (1 Chron. 16:29) In addition, many among God’s people are able to support God’s organization in numerous practical ways. For instance, they help in constructing and maintaining Kingdom Halls and branch facilities, and they assist in many other projects initiated by Jehovah’s organization. Others support these projects with their financial contributions. They do all such cultivating of the land, so to speak, “for God’s glory.” (1 Cor. 10:31) They carry out their work zealously and joyfully because they know that Jehovah is “well-pleased with such sacrifices.” (Heb. 13:16) Are you taking full advantage of these opportunities?
“There Are New Heavens and a New Earth That We Are Awaiting”
17. (a) What larger fulfillment of Ezekiel’s vision will we see in the future? (b) During the Millennium, who will benefit from the citylike administration?
17 In the future, will we see a larger fulfillment of Ezekiel’s vision of the contribution? Yes! Consider this: Ezekiel saw that the land portion named “the holy contribution” was the center of the land. (Ezek. 48:10) Similarly, after Armageddon, no matter where we may live on earth, Jehovah will be dwelling with us. (Rev. 21:3) During the Millennium, the citylike administration—that is, those on earth who will be appointed to care for the interests of God’s people—will expand its influence around the globe by giving loving guidance and direction to all those who make up the “new earth,” a new human society.—2 Pet. 3:13.
18. (a) Why can we be sure that the citylike administration will be in harmony with God’s rulership? (b) The name of the city gives us what firm assurance?
18 Why can we be sure that the citylike administration will remain in complete harmony with God’s rulership? Because God’s Word makes clear that the earthly city with 12 gates reflects the heavenly city with 12 gates, New Jerusalem, which is made up of Christ’s 144,000 corulers. (Rev. 21:2, 12, 21-27) This indicates that the earthly administration will mirror all decisions made by God’s Kingdom in heaven and will carefully carry them out. Yes, the name of the city “Jehovah Is There” assures each one of us that pure worship will remain and will flourish forever in Paradise. What a beautiful future awaits us!
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Rivers of Blessings From JehovahPure Worship of Jehovah—Restored At Last!
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TEACHING BOX 19A
Rivers of Blessings From Jehovah
Consider some different Bible passages that use the terms “river” and “water” to picture blessings that flow from Jehovah. Taken together, they say something very encouraging about the means by which Jehovah blesses us. How so?
JOEL 3:18 This prophecy shows a spring emanating from the temple sanctuary. It flows out to irrigate the dry “Valley of the Acacia Trees.” So both Joel and Ezekiel see a river bringing life to a barren place. In both cases, the river comes from Jehovah’s house, or temple.
ZECHARIAH 14:8 The prophet Zechariah sees “living waters” flowing from the city of Jerusalem. Half of the water runs to the eastern sea, or Dead Sea, and half, to the western sea, or Mediterranean Sea. Jerusalem was “the city of the great King,” Jehovah God. (Matt. 5:35) Zechariah’s mention of that city thus reminds us of Jehovah’s rulership over the whole earth in times to come. We have long understood that the waters in this prophecy suggest that Jehovah will bless two groups of faithful humans in Paradise, those who live through the great tribulation and those who are resurrected afterward.
REVELATION 22:1, 2 The apostle John sees a symbolic river much like the one that Ezekiel saw. However, it emanates, not from a temple, but from Jehovah’s throne. So this vision, like that of Zechariah, seems to stress the blessings of divine rulership during the Millennium.
Of course, there is only a subtle distinction between the blessings that come from Jehovah’s rulership and those that are represented by the river that Ezekiel saw in vision. All such blessings come from Jehovah and flow to all faithful people.
PSALM 46:4 Note how this one verse seems to embrace both aspects—worship and rulership. Here we see a river that brings rejoicing to “the city of God,” suggesting the Kingdom and rulership, as well as to “the holy grand tabernacle of the Most High,” suggesting pure worship.
Taken as a whole, these passages assure us that Jehovah will bless faithful mankind in two ways. We will benefit eternally, first, from his rulership and, second, from his arrangement for pure worship. So let us be determined now to keep seeking from Jehovah God and his Son “living water”—their loving provisions for everlasting life!—Jer. 2:13; John 4:10.
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A Trickle Becomes a Torrent!Pure Worship of Jehovah—Restored At Last!
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TEACHING BOX 19B
A Trickle Becomes a Torrent!
Ezekiel follows a stream as it trickles from Jehovah’s sanctuary and miraculously becomes a deep torrent in just over a mile! Along the riverbanks, he sees luxuriant trees that offer nourishment and healing. What does it all mean?
The River Brings Blessings
ANCIENT: Once the exiles returned to their homeland, blessings flowed to them as they took part in the restoration of pure worship at the temple
MODERN: In 1919 pure worship was restored, opening the way for an unprecedented flow of spiritual blessings to God’s faithful servants
FUTURE: After Armageddon, the flow of blessings from Jehovah will be physical as well as spiritual in nature
Life-Giving Water
ANCIENT: Jehovah richly blessed his obedient people, even as their numbers increased, making them thrive spiritually
MODERN: In the developing spiritual paradise, ever-growing numbers have benefited from the expanding flow of Jehovah’s spiritual blessings and have come to life in a spiritual sense
FUTURE: Armageddon survivors will be joined by untold millions of resurrected ones, and Jehovah’s blessings will be abundant for all
Trees for Food and Healing
ANCIENT: In a spiritual sense, Jehovah fed his faithful people in their restored land; he also healed them of the spiritual sickness that had long plagued them
MODERN: Ample supplies of spiritual food are helping people to counteract the pervasive spiritual sickness and starvation of today’s world
FUTURE: Christ and his 144,000 corulers will help all obedient mankind to reach perfection and to enjoy health and vitality forever!
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The Allotment of the LandPure Worship of Jehovah—Restored At Last!
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TEACHING BOX 20A
The Allotment of the Land
The description of the precisely measured boundaries reassured the exiles that their beloved land would definitely be restored. What lessons can we today draw from this vision? Consider two aspects of the vision:
A secure place and a valuable assignment
Each individual among the returned exiles would have an inheritance in the restored Promised Land. Similarly today, the spiritual paradise has a place for all of Jehovah’s servants. No matter how modest our role in the organization may be, we have a secure place and a valuable assignment in the spiritual land. To Jehovah, all his servants are equally precious.
Equal allotments
In Ezekiel’s vision, each territory in the restored Promised Land provided its inhabitants equal access to the bounty of the land. Similarly today, Jehovah has given all his servants equal access to the blessings of the spiritual paradise.
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“The Contribution That You Are to Set Apart”Pure Worship of Jehovah—Restored At Last!
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TEACHING BOX 21A
“The Contribution That You Are to Set Apart”
Let us follow Ezekiel as he takes a closer look at the portion of land that Jehovah sets apart. It comprises five areas. What are they? And what purpose do they serve?
A. “The Contribution”
It is for governmental use and is referred to as “the administrative strip.”
B. “The Whole Contribution”
It is set aside for the priests, the Levites, and the city. Also, individuals from all 12 tribes enter this portion to worship Jehovah and to support the administrative arrangement.
C. “The Chieftain’s Territory”
“This land will become his possession in Israel.” “It will be for the chieftain.”
D. “The Holy Contribution”
This area is also described as “a holy portion.” The upper section is “for the Levites.” It is “something holy.” The middle section is “the holy contribution for the priests.” It is “a place for their houses and a sacred place for the sanctuary,” or temple.
E. “The Remaining Area”
“It will belong to all the house of Israel” and “will be for common use of the city, for housing and pasture ground.”
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“I Will Dwell Among the People”—Pure Worship of Jehovah RestoredPure Worship of Jehovah—Restored At Last!
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SECTION FIVE
“I Will Dwell Among the People”—Pure Worship of Jehovah Restored
FOCUS: Features of the temple vision and what they teach us about pure worship
Jehovah gave the prophet Ezekiel and the apostle John visions that have striking similarities. Features of those visions teach us valuable lessons that help us worship Jehovah acceptably now and provide a window into life in Paradise under God’s Kingdom.
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