THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Cyril. God designated the Levitical lineage to forfeit a territorial inheritance while granting them a unique inheritance—Himself. However, in His wisdom, He chose not to let them appear entirely devoid of possession. Instead, He instituted a balance by providing them with something minimal for their essential needs.
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The scripture states: "And the Lord spake 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). It is permitted for the saints even within this world to have sufficiency for their sustenance and to meet the basic necessities of life, as it is written: "Having sustenance, and clothing, let us be satisfied with those things" (1 Tim. 6:8). Excess is not without its dangers (1 Tim. 1:8). Thus, the cities, residences, and surrounding fields were designated for the holy servants and measured accordingly: God intended, on one hand, to avoid making them overly indulgent by providing more than needed, and on the other hand, to prevent excessive restriction that could lead to severe hardship, instead offering them adequate provision to alleviate profound scarcity and burdens. He also mandated that cities of refuge be provided for the Levites, overseeing the care for those who were the most destitute and in dire need of assistance. In this, there is a lesson for the churches to tend to those imprisoned, as it is said: "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).