seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
Numbers 35:1 On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, the Lord said to Moses, 2 “Command the Israelites to give the Levites towns to live in from the inheritance the Israelites will possess. And give them pasturelands around the towns. 3 Then they will have towns to live in and pasturelands for the cattle they own and all their other animals.
4 “The pasturelands around the towns that you give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits[a] from the town wall. 5 Outside the town, measure two thousand cubits(b) on the east side, two thousand on the south side, two thousand on the west and two thousand on the north, with the town in the center. They will have this area as pastureland for the towns.
4 “The pasturelands around the towns that you give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits[a] from the town wall. 5 Outside the town, measure two thousand cubits(b) on the east side, two thousand on the south side, two thousand on the west and two thousand on the north, with the town in the center. They will have this area as pastureland for the towns.
The easy English site offers this background.
When the leaders divided the country called Canaan between the tribes, Levi’s tribe did not receive any particular area. God had ordered this (Numbers 18:20-24; also Deuteronomy 10:8-9). Levi’s tribe had special jobs because they helped the priests. However, they needed places to live while they did this special work. So God gave instructions that Levi’s tribe should have 48 towns to live in. They did not own these towns. The tribes who gave them still owned them. But they could live there. These towns had to have pasture round them. Then Levi’s tribe would be able to live there with their cows and sheep. Levi’s tribe had cows and sheep for food. This was in addition to the food that they received from the offerings (Numbers 18:8-32).
These 48 towns were not in one area, so they were not near to each other. They were in different parts of Canaan that belonged to different tribes. The tribes that received more land had to give more towns to Levi’s tribe.
Again, God showed that he is fair completely in all matters. This includes practical matters. We should be careful to be fair in all that we do, too. God cares about every part of our daily lives.
These 48 towns were not in one area, so they were not near to each other. They were in different parts of Canaan that belonged to different tribes. The tribes that received more land had to give more towns to Levi’s tribe.
Again, God showed that he is fair completely in all matters. This includes practical matters. We should be careful to be fair in all that we do, too. God cares about every part of our daily lives.
I could use another map. They are, after all, dividing up the cities on a map.
Apparently this will all be covered again in Joshua 21.
Now.... I have to remember that the Levites were responsible for the upkeep of the things in the temple. The Levites were responsible for any wear and tear of the curtains, robes, tassels and other things. They were also the go between. God use to visit the temple. If everything wasn't done exactly right, humans would die. That's what happened in Leviticus 10. So their job was extremely hazardous. I know this has got to play a part in the rest of the book.... like the tassels men wore to remind them that God is everything to them.
