What does "holy portion" in Ezekiel 48:20 reveal about God's holiness? Setting the Scene Ezekiel’s final vision lays out a literal, future distribution of Israel’s land. At the very heart sits a square “holy portion” reserved for the LORD—a striking reminder of His unchanging holiness. Text Snapshot Ezekiel 48:20: “The entire area you set apart to be holy, including the city property, will be a square twenty-five thousand cubits on each side.” Key Observations • “Set apart” means lifted out of common use, reserved exclusively for God (cf. Exodus 3:5; Leviticus 20:26). • The shape is “square,” mirroring the Most Holy Place of Solomon’s temple (1 Kings 6:20). Exact symmetry underscores perfection and completeness. • Size is large—roughly nine square miles—showing holiness is no small corner detail but the expansive center of future life. • The city’s property is included, binding worship space (“holy portion”) with daily civic life. Holiness permeates everything, not just the sanctuary. What the Holy Portion Tells Us About God’s Holiness • Uncompromising separation – God alone determines what is holy; people do not negotiate its boundaries (Isaiah 55:8–9). • Centrality and supremacy – The holy tract sits in the middle of the inheritance layout (Ezekiel 48:8–22), declaring that every tribe’s life will orbit around the LORD. • Precision and order – Detailed measurements (twenty-five thousand cubits each side) reflect a God who is orderly, not haphazard (1 Corinthians 14:33). • Accessibility through provision – Priests, Levites, and the prince receive adjoining land (Ezekiel 48:21–22), illustrating that God’s holiness, while distinct, is graciously approachable through His appointed means. • Foreshadowing ultimate fulfillment – Revelation 21:2, 16 pictures New Jerusalem as a perfect cube, echoing Ezekiel’s square. The earthly “holy portion” previews the eternal dwelling where “nothing unclean shall ever enter” (Revelation 21:27). Living It Out Today • Treat God’s presence as the defining center of personal life, not a Sunday add-on (Colossians 1:18). • Pursue moral and doctrinal purity, knowing He still calls His people to be “holy in all you do” (1 Peter 1:15-16). • Guard both worship and everyday activities, letting His holiness inform work, family, and civic engagement. • Rest in the assurance that God’s meticulous promises—including land dimensions—guarantee He will complete His redemptive plan exactly as written. |
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