Congregation Bible Study (30 min.): rr chap. 20 paras. 9-17 and box 20A.
A fair and precise division
9. What detailed instructions did Jehovah give on how to divide up the land?
Jehovah gave detailed instructions on what they were to do in dividing up the land. He ordered that the territory inherited by the 12 tribes had to be distributed equally and precisely from north to south. Then they would start with the tribe of Dan, in the far north. And it would end by the tribe of Gad, in the extreme south.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
He ordered that the territory to be inherited by the 12 tribes be drawn evenly and precisely from north to south; beginning with the tribe of Dan, in the far north, and ending with the tribe of Gad, in the far south.
Jehovah ordained that the territory to be inherited by the 12 tribes should be drawn evenly and precisely, beginning at the northern end with the tribe of Dan and ending at the southern end with the tribe of Gad. In addition, each territory would be a horizontal strip.
10. What guarantees must this part of the vision have given the exiles?
He gave them the guarantee that the division of the land would be egalitarian and well organized. Also, he guaranteed that each one of the Israelites who returned to Israel would receive a part of the inheritance, this means that no one would be left without his inheritance.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Ezekiel's detailed description of the division must have made it clear to them that the division of the land would be very well organized. Furthermore, the exact division of the country among the 12 tribes emphasized that each of those who returned to Israel would without fail receive an inheritance in the land that would be restored. No one would be left without land or home.
These detailed instructions assured them that the division of the land would be very well organized. In addition, they could also see that no one would be left homeless, because the country was divided exactly among the 12 tribes and they would have their inheritance in the land already restored.
TOOLBOX 20A: The division of land
The description of such well-defined borders assured the exiles that their beloved land would indeed be restored. What lessons can we learn from this vision? Let's analyze two aspects that we see in it.
ILLUSTRATION:
A map showing the borders of the strips of land that would be given to returning exiles, as described by Ezekiel. The territories inherited by the tribes drawn equally from north to south, beginning with Dan and continuing with Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, Reuben, Judah, the tax (stripe for administrative purpose), Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun and Gad.
A secure place and valuable work
Each one who returned from exile would have an inheritance in the restored Promised Land. In the spiritual paradise, each servant of Jehovah also has a place. No matter how insignificant our role in the organization may seem, we have a secure place and valuable work in the spiritual paradise. And it is that Jehovah values all his servants equally.
Equal share distribution
In Ezekiel's vision, each restored Promised Land territory would give its inhabitants the opportunity to take advantage of all that was good in the land. Today, Jehovah gives all his servants the same opportunity to enter the spirit paradise and enjoy its blessings.
11. What lessons can we learn from the prophetic vision of the division of the earth? (See the box “The division of the land”).
We can learn that in much the same way, we will all have a guaranteed place in the spiritual paradise.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Not only the priests, the Levites and the chiefs would have a place in the restored Promised Land, but also all the members of the 12 tribes. Similarly, not only the anointed remnant and those of the “great crowd” who lead God's people have a place in the spirit paradise. We all have a guaranteed place.
One lesson we learn is that just as every member of the tribes would have a place in the restored earth, each servant of Jehovah also has a place in the spirit paradise. We know that Jehovah values each one of us.
And another lesson we learn is that Jehovah gives all of us the same opportunity to enter the spiritual paradise and enjoy its blessings.
ILLUSTRATION:
Images of God's people today: 1. A sister helping her elderly mother with medicine. 2. A missionary training a younger publisher in preaching. They are preaching near the beach. 3. A single mother giving Bible lessons to her boy and her girl. 4. Gerrit Lösch leading morning worship for the Bethel family. 5. An older sister praying. On her legs she has a Bible and a list with names of brothers who are in prison. 6. A brother cleaning a sink in a Kingdom Hall. 7. A brother directing traffic in the parking lot of an Assembly Hall. 8. Brothers working in a recording studio of a Remote Translation Office.
No matter what responsibilities we have in Jehovah's organization, he values our efforts to fulfill them. (See paragraph 11).
Two big differences and their meaning for us
12, 13. What specific instructions did Jehovah give regarding the division of the land among the tribes?
Jehovah's instructions surprised Ezekiel a lot because they were very different from the instructions that Moses had. To the larger tribes, Moses had to give more land. But Ezekiel was specifically told in the vision that all the tribes would have to receive "equal shares." Therefore, from north to south, the strip of territory of each tribe had to measure exactly the same.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Some of Jehovah's instructions regarding the division of the land must have surprised Ezekiel because they did not coincide with those that God had given to Moses.
The earth. To the larger tribes, Moses had to give more land. But Ezekiel was specifically told in the vision that all the tribes would have to receive “equal shares” or, according to the note, “each as his brother.” Therefore, from north to south, the strip of territory of each tribe had to measure exactly the same.
Ezekiel was instructed that the land was to be divided "equally" among the tribes. This instruction was different from the one Moses received, where more land was given to larger tribes. Furthermore, no matter which tribe they belonged to, everyone would receive the same opportunity to take advantage of the Promised Land, which was a very fertile place.
14. What is the difference between what Jehovah told Ezekiel about foreign residents and what was written in the Law?
In the Mosaic Law it said that foreigners could practice the worship of Jehovah, but the bad thing was that they could not acquire any land. But, Jehovah told him: “You must give the foreign resident an inheritance in the territory of the tribe in which he has settled.” This would make a radical change, because thanks to that I would no longer see the difference between "Israelis by birth" and foreign residents.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
What he himself had established in the Law. He ordered: "They must give the foreign resident an inheritance in the territory of the tribe in which he has settled." With that command, Jehovah completely eliminated a major difference between “Israelites by birth” and foreign residents.
The law protected foreigners and allowed them to worship Jehovah, but they could not own any land. Instead, Jehovah says something different to Ezekiel. He orders him that he must give the foreign resident an inheritance in the territory of the tribe in which he has settled. So we see that in the restored land they enjoyed equality and unity.
15. What truth about Jehovah did the instructions confirm about the earth and its inhabitants?
Thanks to these instructions they understood that the foreigners and the Israelites who worshiped God could enjoy the same inheritance. The instructions also confirmed that for Jehovah, we are all valuable, and he loves us equally
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
These instructions also confirmed the fact that, to Jehovah, all his servants are of equal value, and that is a truth that will never change (read Haggai 2:7). So whether we hope to live in heaven or on earth, that truth touches our hearts.
As we have read in Haggai 2:7 it says that "the valuable things of all nations will enter this house". So the instructions that Jehovah gave confirmed that for him, all his servants are of equal value, and that will always be the case because Jehovah does not change.
ILLUSTRATION:
Sisters of different races and ages conducting family worship at the home of a sister who is in a wheelchair.
Do I imitate Jehovah by being impartial and treating others with sincere respect? (See paragraphs 15 and 16).
16, 17. (a) What lessons can we learn from analyzing the details about the land and its inhabitants?
We learn many lessons, as equality and unity is something that has to stand out in our global brotherhood. Jehovah gives us all the same opportunity to go to the spiritual paradise.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
These details remind us that equality and unity should be something that stands out in our global brotherhood. Jehovah is not partial.
We are very happy that Jehovah gives all of us the same opportunity to enter the spirit paradise. In this paradise we give whole-souled sacred service to our heavenly Father and enjoy his blessings.
We learn that Jehovah is not partial. Therefore, we must contribute to the equality and unity of the people of God. To see if we need to improve, we could ask ourselves if I am doing my best to be impartial like Jehovah, or if I treat all my brothers with sincere respect, regardless of their race, origin or situation.
b) What will we study in the next chapter?
We will study the fourth guarantee that Ezekiel received in the final part of his last vision: the promise that Jehovah would be with the exiles.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
In the next chapter we will study the fourth assurance Ezekiel received at the end of his last vision: the promise that Jehovah would be with the exiles.
We are going to study the fourth guarantee that Ezekiel received in the final part of his last vision: the promise that Jehovah would be with the exiles. Furthermore, we will see what lessons we learn from that promise.
PURE WORSHIP AND YOU
Why are you sure that a spiritual paradise already exists?
Not only the anointed remnant and those of the "great crowd" who lead God's people have a place in the spiritual paradise. We all have a secure place and valuable work in the spiritual paradise, no matter how insignificant our role in the organization may seem.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Because the Bible says in John 4:23,24, that the time would come when we would worship the Father in Spirit and in truth, we see that clearly in this spiritual paradise, not everyone enters it just by going to the kingdom hall and distribute some publications, these are tangible acts that any person could carry out, therefore, our integrity, holiness, loyalty, in the congregation is decisive to be able to enter the spiritual paradise.
We are sure because Jehovah indicated to Ezekiel that the prophecies about the restoration of Israel would have a greater fulfillment. Furthermore, that spiritual paradise is a spiritually secure situation, an environment where the remnants of the anointed ones and the other sheep worship Jehovah and engage in spiritual activities. Which is exactly what we do today all the servants of him.
Why can you be convinced that you have a secure place and valuable work in the spiritual paradise?
We are very happy that Jehovah gives all of us the same opportunity to enter the spirit paradise. In this paradise we give whole-souled sacred service to our heavenly Father and enjoy his blessings.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
Because the Bible says that we were bought, that a very high price was paid, it was not money or silver, but through the precious blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, this moves us, and makes us see the immense love that He and the Father have for us , now the question is: how can we repay them the love they have for us, without a doubt, willingly obeying the commandment to preach and make disciples.
We are convinced because Jehovah values all his servants equally. In the spirit paradise, each servant of Jehovah also has a place, and no matter how insignificant our role in the organization may seem, we know that Jehovah values us and sees our efforts to serve him.
What does the prophetic vision about the division of the earth teach you about Jehovah?
To the larger tribes, Moses had to give more land. But Ezekiel was specifically told in the vision that all the tribes would have to receive "equal shares." Therefore, from north to south, the strip of territory of each tribe had to measure exactly the same. All the Israelites regardless of their tribe would have the same opportunity to take advantage of all the good that the Promised Land produced, a very fertile place. These details teach us that equality and unity should be something that stands out in our global brotherhood. Jehovah is not partial.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS
These details remind us that equality and unity should be something that stands out in our global brotherhood. Jehovah is not partial. So we might as well ask ourselves, “Am I doing my best to be impartial like Jehovah? Do I treat all my siblings with sincere respect, regardless of their race, background, or situation?”
We are very happy that Jehovah gives all of us the same opportunity to enter the spirit paradise. In this paradise we give whole-souled sacred service to our heavenly Father and enjoy his blessings.
It teaches us that Jehovah gives all of us the same opportunity to enter the spirit paradise. He is not biased and treats us all equally, regardless of race, background, or situation.
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