This final chapter describes the exact (re)allotments of land for all “13” tribes (Joseph counts as two here), the temple, and the city. Though sharing some similarities to the how the land was divided in Joshua 13-19, there are key differences. Also, the new city with new gates is given a new name…
” ‘These shall be the exits of the city: On the north side… three gates, the gate of Reuben, the gate of Judah, and the gate of Levi, the gates of the city being named after the tribes of Israel. On the east side… the gate of Joseph, the gate of Benjamin, and the gate of Dan. On the south side… the gate of Simeon, the gate of Issachar, and the gate of Zebulun. On the west side… the gate of Gad, the gate of Asher, and the gate of Naphtali. The circumference of the city shall be 18,000 cubits. And the name of the city from that time on shall be, The Lord Is There.’ ” (v30-35)
Everything described in the last several chapters (the temple with its buildings and grounds, the city, and even the allotments of land for the tribes) all have perfect design and dimensions. God is extremely specific about how everything will be laid out and designed, similar to His specificity on the tabernacle and first temple.
Our God is a God of details. The ‘small things’ matter to Him, and He does not make mistakes / oversights, meaning everything He does is intentional / purposeful / meaningful.
Rest assured that every little struggle we have, and every little thing we celebrate are known to God, and He cares – He cares for us in ways we don’t even realize. I truly believe that the name of this future city applies to our lives today: “The Lord Is There”. He is with us (His Spirit lives within our hearts), and He will never forsake us. Let’s embrace The One Who Is Here, The One Who Embraces Us.
Father God, our Loving and Compassionate Lord who is closer and more caring than a parent, we praise You with the words of our mouths and works of our hands. Please continue to have mercy and grace upon us, caring for us every moment of every day, for we are desperate and broken. Please grant us healing for our spirits and hearts, and our bodies in accordance with Your sovereign will. Please be our everything, our Holy God, our Redeemer, our Healer, and our Friend. Amen.
~ Conqueror in Training