Every tribe of the sons of Israel was distributed land by Joshua after
the conquest. Hence, it would not be too far-fetched to imagine the landless
Israelites in exile thinking about their possession when they return to the
land. They would undoubtedly be concerned about this matter.
So, following the revelation that Levitical priests would not be given any possession in the previous chapter, Ezekiel 45 begins by talking about the division of land. However, the outline of the division of land will be given in fuller detail in Ezekiel 47:13 to the rest of the book.
The emphasis on the sovereignty and presence of God in their midst over equality was the prior concern in the division of the land here. Hence, we see a delineated central district to be offered to the Lord. He is the priority in the distribution of the land. This is an acknowledgment that He owns everything.
Within this holy district would be the Temple which would have the Sanctuary and Most Holy place. Surrounding the Temple would be an open space to separate between the Holy things and the unclean things of everyday living.
Priests and Levites would be settled close to the temple because they
ministered in the sanctuary. Alongside the Holy District would be areas where
the other people of God could settle.
The prince or rulers would be given land stretching toward the Mediterranean in the West and land extending eastward toward the Jordan. This would prevent them from oppressing the people. Verse 9 warned rulers not to assert their power and unjustly oppress the people.
In this portion of the scriptures, we cannot get away from the centrality of God. He must be at the center of His people’s lives because He is the true ruler. Isn’t this what Matthew 6:33 is all about? To let King Jesus take the central place in life and living.
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