relationships (Daniel 3:1-30) Giving Respect, Honor and Glory

(Daniel 3:1-30)

Nebuchadnezzar the king made a statue of gold, the height of which was sixty cubits, and its width six cubits; he set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 Nebuchadnezzar the king also sent word to assemble the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the chief treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the administrators of the provinces to come to the dedication of the statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up. 3 Then the satraps, the prefects and the governors, the counselors, the chief treasurers, the judges, the magistrates, and all the administrators of the provinces were assembled for the dedication of the statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up; and they stood before the statue that Nebuchadnezzar had set up. 4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed: “To you the command is given, you peoples, nations, and populations of all languages, 5 that at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, you are to fall down and worship the golden statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king has set up. 6 But whoever does not fall down and worship shall immediately be thrown into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire.” 7 Therefore as soon as all the peoples heard the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, all the peoples, nations, and populations of all languages fell down and worshiped the golden statue that Nebuchadnezzar the king had set up.

8 For this reason at that time certain Chaldeans came forward and brought charges against the Jews. 9 They began to speak and said to Nebuchadnezzar the king: “O king, live forever! 10 You, O king, have made a decree that every person who hears the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery, and bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, is to fall down and worship the golden statue. 11 But whoever does not fall down and worship shall be thrown into the middle of a furnace of blazing fire. 12 There are certain Jews whom you have appointed over the administration of the province of Babylon, namely Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. These men, O king, have disregarded you; they do not serve your gods, nor do they worship the golden statue which you have set up.”

13 Then Nebuchadnezzar in rage and anger gave orders to bring Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego; then these men were brought before the king. 14 Nebuchadnezzar began speaking and said to them, “Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, that you do not serve my gods, nor worship the golden statue that I have set up? 15 Now if you are ready, at the moment you hear the sound of the horn, flute, lyre, trigon, psaltery and bagpipe, and all kinds of musical instruments, to fall down and worship the statue that I have made, very well. But if you do not worship, you will immediately be thrown into the midst of a furnace of blazing fire; and what god is there who can rescue you from my hands?”

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego replied to the king, “Nebuchadnezzar, we are not in need of an answer to give you concerning this matter. 17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if He does not, let it be known to you, O king, that we are not going to serve your gods nor worship the golden statue that you have set up.”

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was filled with wrath, and his facial expression was changed toward Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. He answered by giving orders to heat the furnace seven times more than it was usually heated. 20 And he ordered certain valiant warriors who were in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in order to throw them into the furnace of blazing fire. 21 Then these men were tied up in their trousers, their coats, their caps, and their other clothes, and were thrown into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire. 22 For this reason, because the king’s command was harsh and the furnace had been made extremely hot, the flame of the fire killed those men who took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego. 23 But these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, fell into the middle of the furnace of blazing fire still tied up.

24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astounded and stood up quickly; he said to his counselors, “Was it not three men that we threw bound into the middle of the fire?” They replied to the king, “Absolutely, O king.” 25 He responded, “Look! I see four men untied and walking about in the middle of the fire unharmed, and the appearance of the fourth is like a son of the gods!” 26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he said, “Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego came out of the middle of the fire. 27 The satraps, the prefects, the governors, and the king’s counselors gathered together and saw that the fire had no effect on the bodies of these men, nor was the hair of their heads singed, nor were their trousers damaged, nor had even the smell of fire touched them.

28 Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who has sent His angel and rescued His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the king’s command, and surrendered their bodies rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or population of any language that speaks anything offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and their houses made a rubbish heap, because there is no other god who is able to save in this way.” 30 Then the king made Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego prosperous in the province of Babylon.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Here again, we see someone being very respectful of a country's laws and protocols - but only as unto the Lord.  So in the law to bow down to the idols and other gods, Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego refused.  Now, when they did, they didn't hold any protests for change, or demonstrations of rebellion and defiance;  they simply and very respectfully refused to obey that law... even if it meant death.

Just as Jesus saved Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego from the fire and death, He is able to save anyone from spiritual death and the eternal fire.  This salvation comes only through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.  And because He covers all believers with His righteousness, it is Jesus and His righteousness that brings us through the fire.  Then, when we reach heaven, because all our sins have been forgiven, only our good deeds will be judged.  As these go through the refining fire, we will be rewarded for the good deeds that remain, those done with pure motives, all to His glory and all in His love, wisdom and strength.

Like Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, do you have faith in the Lord?  Is Jesus your Savior, King and Lord of your life?  And if we have this faith already, do we desire to serve only Him?  In our personal relationship with Him, do we really trust that He has our best interest in mind, so much so that we are willing to obey, follow and apply all that He says, in every circumstance and situation? 

These are important questions, because throughout life, we will find ourselves in various "fires" which test us.  And our decisions in these moments will be revealing!  If and when we choose to rely on our own wisdom and strength, we are ultimately disrespecting the Lord, by trying to demonstrate to others that somehow we know more than God.  I can tell you from experience that this never works out well.  But when we rely on the Lord's wisdom and strength, realizing that He is omniscient, omnipotent and omni-present, we are demonstrating great respect for Him!  Then, as we ask and allow Him to work for us, in us, and through us, He is more than able to work things out for good!  In this we give Him the honor and the glory!

relationships (Daniel 2:1-49) Giving Us Reasons to Trust

(Daniel 2:1-49)

Now in the second year of the reign of Nebuchadnezzar, Nebuchadnezzar had dreams; and his spirit was troubled and his sleep left him. 2 Then the king gave orders to call in the soothsayer priests, the conjurers, the sorcerers, and the Chaldeans, to tell the king his dreams. So they came in and stood before the king. 3 The king said to them, “I had a dream, and my spirit is anxious to understand the dream.”

4 Then the Chaldeans spoke to the king in Aramaic: “O king, live forever! Tell the dream to your servants, and we will declare the interpretation.” 5 The king replied to the Chaldeans, “The command from me is firm: if you do not make known to me the dream and its interpretation, you will be torn limb from limb and your houses will be turned into a rubbish heap. 6 But if you declare the dream and its interpretation, you will receive from me gifts and a reward and great honor; therefore declare to me the dream and its interpretation.” 7 They answered a second time and said, “Let the king tell the dream to his servants, and we will declare the interpretation.” 8 The king replied, “I know for certain that you are trying to buy time, because you have perceived that the command from me is firm, 9 that if you do not make the dream known to me, there is only one decree for you. For you have agreed together to speak lying and corrupt words before me until the situation is changed; therefore tell me the dream, so that I may know that you can declare to me its interpretation.” 10 The Chaldeans answered the king and said, “There is no person on earth who could declare the matter to the king, because no great king or ruler has ever asked anything like this of any soothsayer priest, sorcerer, or Chaldean. 11 Moreover, the thing which the king demands is difficult, and there is no one else who could declare it to the king except gods, whose dwelling place is not with mortal flesh.”

12 Because of this, the king became angry and extremely furious, and he gave orders to kill all the wise men of Babylon. 13 So the decree was issued that the wise men be killed; and they looked for Daniel and his friends, to kill them.

14 Then Daniel replied with discretion and discernment to Arioch, the captain of the king’s bodyguard, who had gone out to kill the wise men of Babylon; 15 he said to Arioch, the king’s officer, “For what reason is the decree from the king so harsh?” Then Arioch informed Daniel of the matter. 16 So Daniel went in and requested of the king that he would give him a grace period, so that he might declare the interpretation to the king.

17 Then Daniel went to his house and informed his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, about the matter, 18 so that they might request compassion from the God of heaven concerning this secret, so that Daniel and his friends would not be killed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.19 Then the secret was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven; 20 Daniel said,

     “May the name of God be blessed forever and ever,
     For wisdom and power belong to Him.
21 It is He who changes the times and the periods;
     He removes kings and appoints kings;
     He gives wisdom to wise men,
     And knowledge to people of understanding.
22 It is He who reveals the profound and hidden things;
     He knows what is in the darkness,
     And the light dwells with Him.
23 To You, God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise,
     For You have given me wisdom and power;
     Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You,
     For You have made known to us the king’s matter.”

24 Thereupon, Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to kill the wise men of Babylon; he went and said this to him: “Do not kill the wise men of Babylon! Take me into the king’s presence, and I will declare the interpretation to the king.”

25 Then Arioch hurriedly brought Daniel into the king’s presence and spoke to him as follows: “I have found a man among the exiles from Judah who can make the interpretation known to the king!” 26 The king said to Daniel, whose name was Belteshazzar, “Are you able to make known to me the dream which I have seen and its interpretation?” 27 Daniel answered before the king and said, “As for the secret about which the king has inquired, neither wise men, sorcerers, soothsayer priests, nor diviners are able to declare it to the king. 28 However, there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. This was your dream and the visions in your mind while on your bed. 29 As for you, O king, while on your bed your thoughts turned to what would take place in the future; and He who reveals secrets has made known to you what will take place. 30 But as for me, this secret has not been revealed to me for any wisdom residing in me more than in any other living person, but for the purpose of making the interpretation known to the king, and that you may understand the thoughts of your mind.

31 “You, O king, were watching and behold, there was a single great statue; that statue, which was large and of extraordinary radiance, was standing in front of you, and its appearance was awesome. 32 The head of that statue was made of fine gold, its chest and its arms of silver, its belly and its thighs of bronze, 33 its legs of iron, and its feet partly of iron and partly of clay. 34 You continued watching until a stone was broken off without hands, and it struck the statue on its feet of iron and clay, and crushed them. 35 Then the iron, the clay, the bronze, the silver, and the gold were crushed to pieces all at the same time, and they were like chaff from the summer threshing floors; and the wind carried them away so that not a trace of them was found. But the stone that struck the statue became a great mountain and filled the entire earth.

36 “This was the dream; and now we will tell its interpretation before the king. 37 You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the power, the strength, and the honor; 38 and wherever the sons of mankind live, or the animals of the field, or the birds of the sky, He has handed them over to you and has made you ruler over them all. You are the head of gold.

39 And after you another kingdom will arise inferior to you, then another third kingdom of bronze, which will rule over all the earth.

40 Then there will be a fourth kingdom as strong as iron; just as iron smashes and crushes everything, so, like iron that crushes, it will smash and crush all these things. 41 And in that you saw the feet and toes, partly of potter’s clay and partly of iron, it will be a divided kingdom; but it will have within it some of the toughness of iron, since you saw the iron mixed with common clay. 42 And just as the toes of the feet were partly of iron and partly of pottery, so some of the kingdom will be strong, and part of it will be fragile. 43 In that you saw the iron mixed with common clay, they will combine with one another in their descendants; but they will not adhere to one another, just as iron does not combine with pottery.

44 And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever. 45 Just as you saw that a stone was broken off from the mountain without hands, and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold, the great God has made known to the king what will take place in the future; so the dream is certain and its interpretation is trustworthy.”

46 Then King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face and paid humble respect to Daniel, and gave orders to present to him an offering and incense. 47 The king responded to Daniel and said, “Your God truly is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a revealer of secrets, since you have been able to reveal this secret.” 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many great gifts, and he made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon, and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon. 49 And Daniel made a request of the king, and he appointed Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego over the administration of the province of Babylon, while Daniel was at the king’s court.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

Besides this being mind-blowing!  This vision was prophetic in that different kingdoms would dominate the earth, the kingdoms of Babylon, Medes, Persia, Greece and then Rome, at which time Jesus would come for the first time in flesh.  Then the vision becomes prophetic regarding Jesus' second coming, when He will have the victory at Armageddon, then set up the Millennial kingdom, fulfilling all covenants for the Israelites.  So the mind-blowing aspect of this, is that the Lord used this "practical" prophecy as a way to give the world a message:  earthly kings and kingdoms have some power, but God's kingdom is victorious and above all!!!

Meanwhile, we can see the sovereignty of God at work!  The Lord had allowed the Israelites, along with Daniel, to go into exile.  The Lord placed Daniel and his friends in junior positions of service, and equipped them with wisdom.  The Lord gave king Nebuchadnezzar a vision.  The Lord protected Daniel and his friends from death, as Daniel respectfully went to the proper authorities to inquire about the circumstances. And then, the Lord let Daniel know what the dream was, and what it meant, which brought about Daniel's promotion, respect and blessings.  

Most important to note:  not only did Daniel respect his enemies and his personal position in that strange country, but Daniel gave all the glory to God.  God worked all these things out, all the while, shepherding His stubborn, rebellious chosen people, because He is love and He cares!  God did that!  And He is still doing that, because God keeps His promises!

Therefore, as we see how God works in these great ways - with history supporting the scriptures - we can be confident that the Lord will fulfill all remaining prophecies. And if God is reliable for these great things, think about how much we can rely on the Lord with all our issues and concerns!!!  And even with the huge issues that are going on around us, we do not have to worry about politics and the government.  God is sovereign and is overseeing things.  

We are to be praying for and respecting the laws and authority in place, but not putting our faith and hope there, or into humanity, or false gods, or nature, or even in ourselves.  Our faith and trust should be in the sovereign Lord, who is love and who cares.  And desiring to have a close, personal relationship with us, He wants us to go to Him with everything!  Nothing is too big or too small!  God has even made sure that we can see these very clear reasons as to why we can trust Him!  So, without a doubt, the Lord God deserves all of our respect, and all of the glory!

relationships (Daniel 1:1-21) Love and Respect

(Daniel 1:1-21)

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2 And the Lord handed Jehoiakim king of Judah over to him, along with some of the vessels of the house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought the vessels into the treasury of his god.

3 Then the king told Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to bring in some of the sons of Israel, including some of the royal family and of the nobles, 4 youths in whom there was no impairment, who were good-looking, suitable for instruction in every kind of expertise, endowed with understanding and discerning knowledge, and who had ability to serve in the king’s court; and he ordered Ashpenaz to teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans. 5 The king also allotted for them a daily ration from the king’s choice food and from the wine which he drank, and ordered that they be educated for three years, at the end of which they were to enter the king’s personal service. 6 Now among them from the sons of Judah were Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. 7 Then the commander of the officials assigned new names to them; and to Daniel he assigned the name Belteshazzar, to Hananiah Shadrach, to Mishael Meshach, and to Azariah Abed-nego.

8 But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the officials. 10 The commander of the officials said to Daniel, “I am afraid of my lord the king, who has allotted your food and your drink; for why should he see your faces looking gaunt in comparison to the youths who are your own age? Then you would make me forfeit my head to the king.” 11 But Daniel said to the overseer whom the commander of the officials had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please put your servants to the test for ten days, and let us be given some vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined in your presence and the appearance of the youths who are eating the king’s choice food; and deal with your servants according to what you see.”

14 So he listened to them in this matter, and put them to the test for ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their appearance seemed better, and they were fatter than all the youths who had been eating the king’s choice food. 16 So the overseer continued to withhold their choice food and the wine they were to drink, and kept giving them vegetables.

17 And as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every kind of literature and expertise; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams.

18 Then at the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 And the king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; so they entered the king’s personal service. 20 As for every matter of expertise and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the soothsayer priests and conjurers who were in all his realm. 21 And Daniel continued until the first year of Cyrus the king.

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

This scripture is not saying that we are to eat a diet of only vegetables and water.  Pagan cultures often sacrifice their meat and drink to their gods.  As well, they probably didn't use very safe preparation standards for back then (since they didn't have refrigeration, etc.).  And we are not told how long Daniel and his friends ate this way.  Perhaps it was only while they were in training for those three years, after which point they probably would have been free to prepare their own food.

While Daniel's respect for the Lord came first in his life, notice that he also showed respect to his enemies, who were now his earthly authority figures.  Daniel also respected the laws and procedures of this strange country, except for the ones that went against God's Laws.  But notice that he didn't make demands on what or how he ate, and he didn't make any demands to speak to the king.  Daniel didn't assume any status or privilege, but peacefully sought out the permission from the appropriate officials in charge, and spoke with them using sound reasoning.

The main takeaway from all of this is that Daniel loved and respected the Lord first.  And even though God allowed Daniel and his friends to go into captivity (because of other people's sinful behaviors), they fully trusted that God would help them!   And, because Daniel and his friends had a desire to only honor God, God blessed them and their efforts!

God might allow us to go through tests, trials and temptations.  But no matter what we are going through or what is happening around us, as we remain focused on the Lord and continue striving to live in His will, in His strength and guidance, God will bless us and our efforts, all to His glory!  And while we know that God will reward our obedience, our desire to obey will flow out of our love, trust and respect for Him, because it is the Lord who loves us and cares for us!

relationships (Ezekiel 47:13-23) Children With an Inheritance

(Ezekiel 47:13-23)

This is what the Lord God says: “This shall be the boundary by which you shall divide the land for an inheritance among the twelve tribes of Israel; Joseph shall have two portions. 14 And you shall divide it for an inheritance, each one equally with the other; for I swore to give it to your forefathers, and this land shall fall to you as an inheritance.

15 “And this shall be the boundary of the land: on the north side, from the Great Sea by the way of Hethlon, to the entrance of Zedad; 16 Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazer-hatticon, which is by the border of Hauran. 17 The boundary shall extend from the sea to Hazar-enan at the border of Damascus, and on the north toward the north is the border of Hamath. This is the north side.

18 “The east side, from between Hauran, Damascus, Gilead, and the land of Israel, shall be the Jordan; from the north border to the eastern sea you shall measure. This is the east side.

19 “The south side toward the south shall extend from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribath-kadesh, to the brook of Egypt and to the Great Sea. This is the south side toward the south.

20 “And the west side shall be the Great Sea, from the south border to a point opposite Lebo-hamath. This is the west side.

21 “So you shall divide this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel. 22 You shall divide it by lot for an inheritance among yourselves and among the strangers who stay in your midst, who bring forth sons in your midst. And they shall be to you as the native-born among the sons of Israel; they shall be allotted an inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel. 23 And in the tribe with which the stranger resides, there you shall give him his inheritance,” declares the Lord God.

(Ezekiel 48:1-35)  “Now these are the names of the tribes: from the northern extremity, beside the way of Hethlon to Lebo-hamath, as far as Hazar-enan at the border of Damascus, toward the north beside Hamath, running from east to west, Dan, one portion. 2 Beside the border of Dan, from the east side to the west side, Asher, one portion. 3 Beside the border of Asher, from the east side to the west side, Naphtali, one portion. 4 Beside the border of Naphtali, from the east side to the west side, Manasseh, one portion. 5 Beside the border of Manasseh, from the east side to the west side, Ephraim, one portion. 6 Beside the border of Ephraim, from the east side to the west side, Reuben, one portion. 7 Beside the border of Reuben, from the east side to the west side, Judah, one portion.

8 “And beside the border of Judah, from the east side to the west side, shall be the allotment which you shall set apart, twenty-five thousand cubits in width, and in length like one of the portions, from the east side to the west side; and the sanctuary shall be in the middle of it. 9 The allotment that you shall set apart to the Lord shall be twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width.

10 The holy allotment shall be for these, namely for the priests, toward the north twenty-five thousand cubits in length, toward the west ten thousand in width, toward the east ten thousand in width, and toward the south twenty-five thousand in length; and the sanctuary of the Lord shall be in its midst. 11 It shall be for the priests who are sanctified of the sons of Zadok, who have taken the responsibility I gave them, who did not go astray when the sons of Israel went astray as the Levites went astray. 12 It shall be an allotment to them from the allotment of the land, a most holy reserve, by the border of the Levites. 13 And alongside the border of the priests, the Levites shall have twenty-five thousand cubits in length and ten thousand in width. The entire length shall be twenty-five thousand cubits and the width ten thousand. 14 Moreover, they shall not sell or exchange any of it, or allow this choice portion of land to pass to others; for it is holy to the Lord.

15 “The remainder, five thousand cubits in width and twenty-five thousand in length, shall be for common use for the city, for homes and for open spaces; and the city shall be in its midst. 16 And these shall be its measurements: the north side, 4,500 cubits, the south side 4,500 cubits, the east side 4,500 cubits, and the west side, 4,500 cubits. 17 The city shall have open spaces: on the north 250 cubits, on the south 250 cubits, on the east 250 cubits, and on the west 250 cubits. 18 The remainder of the length alongside the holy allotment shall be ten thousand cubits toward the east and ten thousand toward the west; and it shall be alongside the holy allotment. And its produce shall be food for the workers of the city. 19 And the workers of the city, out of all the tribes of Israel, shall cultivate it. 20 The whole allotment shall be twenty-five thousand by twenty-five thousand cubits; you shall set apart the holy allotment, a square, with the property of the city.

21 “The remainder shall be for the prince, on the one side and on the other of the holy allotment and of the property of the city; in front of the twenty-five thousand cubits of the allotment toward the east border and westward in front of the twenty-five thousand toward the west border, alongside the portions, it shall be for the prince. And the holy allotment and the sanctuary of the house shall be in the middle of it. 22 And exclusive of the property of the Levites and the property of the city, which are in the middle of that which belongs to the prince, everything between the border of Judah and the border of Benjamin shall belong to the prince.

23 “As for the rest of the tribes: from the east side to the west side, Benjamin, one portion. 24 Beside the border of Benjamin, from the east side to the west side, Simeon, one portion. 25 Beside the border of Simeon, from the east side to the west side, Issachar, one portion. 26 Beside the border of Issachar, from the east side to the west side, Zebulun, one portion. 27 Beside the border of Zebulun, from the east side to the west side, Gad, one portion. 28 And beside the border of Gad, at the south side toward the south, the border shall be from Tamar to the waters of Meribath-kadesh, to the brook of Egypt, to the Great Sea. 29 This is the land which you shall divide by lot to the tribes of Israel for an inheritance, and these are their several portions,” declares the Lord God.

30 “Now these are the exits of the city: on the north side, 4,500 cubits by measurement, 31 shall be the gates of the city, named for the tribes of Israel, three gates toward the north: the gate of Reuben, one; the gate of Judah, one; and the gate of Levi, one. 32 On the east side, 4,500 cubits, shall be three gates: the gate of Joseph, one; the gate of Benjamin, one; and the gate of Dan, one. 33 On the south side, 4,500 cubits by measurement, shall be three gates: the gate of Simeon, one; the gate of Issachar, one; and the gate of Zebulun, one. 34 On the west side, 4,500 cubits, shall be three gates: the gate of Gad, one; the gate of Asher, one; and the gate of Naphtali, one. 35 The city shall be eighteen thousand cubits all around; and the name of the city from that day shall be, ‘The Lord is there.’”

TODAY'S THOUGHTS AND MEDITATION:

After all the warnings throughout this book to stop defying and denying the Lord, God ends by reminding the Israelites of the plans He has for them, their land, and the capital city of Jerusalem.  This was and is to inspire and encourage the Jews.  But because they rejected Christ when He first came in the flesh, this prophecy will be fulfilled when Jesus comes again at the end of the Tribulation, and takes them (and all other believers) into the Millennial kingdom.

For all of us now, we can be encouraged and inspired by the fact that God is fair and oversees every detail of all things.  His overall plan isn't just for the Israelites.  The Lord desires that all come to know Him personally!  It doesn't matter where one comes from, anyone who chooses to become a child of God receives eternal life and an inheritance from the Lord.

(John 3:16) For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life.