It shall be the holy portion of the land. It shall be for the priests, who minister in the sanctuary and approach the LORD to minister to him, and it shall be a place for their houses and a holy place for the sanctuary.
God sets apart land for His sanctuary first, before the tribes receive their shares, because what is given to support worship and religion sanctifies the whole; it is the first-fruits that make the lump holy. The priests' portion is fixed and measured so the sanctuary cannot devour the rest of the land, teaching us that giving for God's work and the ministry's support is an act of piety that brings perpetual blessing.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 45:1-8
The priests who faithfully minister at the altar shall have this portion for their houses and livelihood; or speaking more broadly, all the saints who serve as priests to God shall be satisfied with the abundance of His house through word and ordinance. The holy place signifies both the sanctuary itself and the many congregated churches where God's people dwell and praise Him.
AI summary
The Lord assigns a measured tract of land for Himself, His sanctuary, and His servants so that the priesthood and Levites have their inheritance guaranteed; He Himself becomes their portion. On either side the prince receives land, lest rulers in time to come exploit the people, and throughout the land righteousness is to reign with just weights and true measures.
AI summary
Commenting on Ezekiel 45:1-8