Numbers 35:4-6
“The pasture surrounding the Levites’ towns is to extend 1,500 feet in each direction from the city wall. The outside borders of the pasture are to measure three thousand feet on each of the four sides—east, south, west, and north—with the town at the center. Each city will be supplied with pasture. Six of these towns that you give the Levites will be asylum-cities to which anyone who accidentally kills another person may flee for asylum.”
“The pastureland assigned to the Levites around these towns will extend 1,500 feet outside the town walls in every direction- east, south, west, north- with the town at the center. This area will serve as the larger pastureland for the towns. Six of the towns you give the Levites will be cities of refuge, where a person who has accidentally killed someone can flee for safety.”
The Lord provided sustenance for Levites. They had no land but did have cities with pasture. These were taken out of tribal inheritance. God requires we provide support for those in ‘full time ministry.’ Their needs should come out of our pockets. It is interesting God stipulates cities and pasture have square dimensions with the city at the center. Revelation 21:16 says the New Jerusalem will be a square too, all balance and symmetry. The ancient Levite cities point to this future event. Why the square? In shape it is as stable as our rock-solid Lord. Its approach is the same to all orientations as the cross is for all people. Its symmetry reflects the balance in God’s nature, judge-savior, anger-love. Though architecturally square buildings are uninteresting this square will carry enough fascination for eternity. I can’t wait!
Come quickly Lord Jesus.