THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Cyril. God designated the Levitical lineage to forgo a physical inheritance, granting them instead an esteemed heritage—Himself. Yet, in His wisdom, He ensured they did not seem wholly isolated, having received nothing at all. He established a balance by providing them with enough for their essential needs.
Read more (359 words)
As it is written, ‘And the Lord spoke unto Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan against Jericho, saying, Command the children of Israel, that out of the inheritance of their possessions they shall give the Levites cities to dwell in, and the fields by the cities on every side shall be given to the Levites: The cities shall be for their habitation, and the fields shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their necessities of life: and the fields of the cities, which ye shall give to the Levites, shall extend two thousand cubits from the wall of the city, in every direction: and ye shall measure out beyond the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits, and in the midst of the city: such shall be their fields of the cities. Of the cities which ye shall give to the Levites, there shall be six cities for refuge, into which ye shall let the murderer flee’ (Num. 35:1-6). The righteous are permitted in this life to possess what is necessary for sustaining themselves and their physical needs, since it is said, ‘Having sustenance, and clothing, let us be satisfied with those things’ (1 Tim. 6:8). Excess is often detrimental (1 Tim. 6:8). Therefore, the cities and dwellings, along with the adjacent fields, were designated for the holy servants and carefully measured out. God intended to prevent them from indulgence by providing only what was essential, while also avoiding extreme deprivation that could lead to great oppression, thus promoting a balance between sufficient provision and contentment. Additionally, He instructed that cities of refuge be allotted to the Levites, entrusting them to minister to the most vulnerable among the people in need of help. This serves as an illustration for the churches to attend to those imprisoned, as it is written, ‘Remember the prisoners, as though ye were in bonds with them, and them that are afflicted, as though ye yourselves were in the body’ (Hebrews 13:3).