The Levitical Cities—God’s Word Made Accessible to You

I am convinced God is far more concerned that we know His will than we are. In fact, He has gone to great lengths to help us understand what we need to know. It’s always been this way. Here’s why. 

(Photo: Tel Jokneam, one of the 48 Levitical Cities. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

God’s will is found in God’s Word. If we want to find His will, we must read His Word. It’s often that simple—and yet, it’s also difficult. But it needn’t be.

In fact, God has always made His Word accessible to us—today more than ever.

It’s an incredible opportunity for us. 

The Levitical Cities – God’s Word Made Easy

After Joshua parceled out the land of Canaan to the 12 tribes at Shiloh, the priestly tribe of Levi received an inheritance far different from the others (Josh. 21).

• Rather than getting a portion of land on which the tribe could settle, the tribe of Levi acquired Levitical Cities scattered throughout the other tribes.
• Strategically placed along main roads, this distribution of the 48 Levitical cities among the 12 tribes meant that any Hebrew who needed the wisdom of God’s Word had to travel no longer than one day to find a priest.

Years earlier, Moses had blessed each tribe, praying specifically for the Levites:

Now let them teach your regulations to Jacob; let them give your instructions to Israel. —Deut. 33:10

The distribution of the Levitical cities made the ministry of God’s Word more accessible to His people.

(Photo: Gibeon, one of the 48 Levitical Cities. Courtesy of the Pictorial Library of Bible Lands)

God’s Word Made Accessible to You

Today in America, for instance, where 9 out of 10 homes have a Bible (and usually more than one), we do not have to travel far for a word from God. The Lord has provided His Word through many means:

• Excellent Bible translations
• Numerous study tools
• Instant media, Scripture, and tools on the Web

Just as the Levites did, we should see our role in our lives as a royal priesthood to “proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Pet. 2:9).

I believe the Bible is the best gift God has ever given to man. . . . I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go. —Abraham Lincoln

Our immediate access to truth—like Israel’s proximity to its Levitical cities—reveals God’s desire to keep His Word close to His people so that we may always know and obey Him.

The convenience of God’s Word is both a comfort and a conviction. It’s right there in our laps.

Let’s read it. Let’s live it.

Tell me what you think: Have you ever pondered how amazing it is that God makes His Word so accessible to us? To leave a comment, just click here.