Ezekiel 47
Ezekiel 47 begins with a vision of the river of life flowing out from the temple. This vision contains a message in which God promises new restoration, life, and abundant blessings. The following sections include descriptions of the distribution of the land of Israel and its boundaries, showing that in Israel’s restored community, all the tribes and the resident foreigners will participate together.
1verseHe brought me back to the door of the temple; and behold, waters flowed out from under the threshold of the temple eastward, for the front of the temple faced toward the east. The waters came down from underneath, from the right side of the temple, on the south of the altar.
2verseThen he brought me out by the way of the gate northward, and led me around by the way outside to the outer gate, by the way of the gate that looks toward the east. Behold, waters ran out on the right side.
3verseWhen the man went out eastward with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the ankles.
4verseAgain he measured one thousand, and caused me to pass through the waters, waters that were to the knees. Again he measured one thousand, and caused me to pass through waters that were to the waist.
5verseAfterward he measured one thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the waters had risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be walked through.
6verseHe said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me and caused me to return to the bank of the river.
7verseNow when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
8verseThen he said to me, “These waters flow out toward the eastern region and will go down into the Arabah. Then they will go toward the sea and flow into the sea which will be made to flow out; and the waters will be healed.
9verseIt will happen that every living creature which swarms, in every place where the rivers come, will live. Then there will be a very great multitude of fish; for these waters have come there, and the waters of the sea will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river comes.
10verseIt will happen that fishermen will stand by it. From En Gedi even to En Eglaim will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be after their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceedingly many.
11verseBut its swamps and marshes will not be healed. They will be given up to salt.
12verseBy the river banks, on both sides, will grow every tree for food, whose leaf won’t wither, neither will its fruit fail. It will produce new fruit every month, because its waters issue out of the sanctuary. Its fruit will be for food, and its leaf for healing.”
13verseThe Lord GOD says: “This shall be the border by which you shall divide the land for inheritance according to the twelve tribes of Israel. Joseph shall have two portions.
14verseYou shall inherit it, one as well as another; for I swore to give it to your fathers. This land will fall to you for inheritance.
15verse“This shall be the border of the land: “On the north side, from the great sea, by the way of Hethlon, to the entrance of Zedad;
16verseHamath, Berothah, Sibraim (which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath), to Hazer Hatticon, which is by the border of Hauran.
17verseThe border from the sea shall be Hazar Enon at the border of Damascus; and on the north northward is the border of Hamath. This is the north side.
18verse“The east side, between Hauran, Damascus, Gilead, and the land of Israel, shall be the Jordan; from the north border to the east sea you shall measure. This is the east side.
19verse“The south side southward shall be from Tamar as far as the waters of Meriboth Kadesh, to the brook, to the great sea. This is the south side southward.
20verse“The west side shall be the great sea, from the south border as far as opposite the entrance of Hamath. This is the west side.
21verse“So you shall divide this land to yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.
22verseYou shall divide it by lot for an inheritance to you and to the aliens who live among you, who will father children among you. Then they shall be to you as the native-born among the children of Israel. They shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
23verseIn whatever tribe the stranger lives, there you shall give him his inheritance,” says the Lord GOD.
The River of Life Flowing from the Temple (Verses 1-12)
Ezekiel sees water flowing out from beneath the temple threshold. This stream gradually grows deeper, becoming a river so deep that it cannot be crossed. Wherever the river flows, life abounds, and all kinds of fish and trees that bear fruit grow. This vision symbolizes the hope that, through God’s presence and grace, life and healing flow through the whole land, and what was dead is restored.
The Distribution of the New Land (Verses 13-23)
After the vision of the river flowing out of the temple, the passage continues with God’s distribution of the land of Israel. The land that previously was assigned to each tribe is now divided equally. In particular, it mentions that even foreigners (resident aliens) can receive an inheritance just like the people of Israel, emphasizing the inclusiveness of the new community and the completeness of restoration.
Meditation Points
- The sight of water coming from the temple gradually becoming a river that enlivens the entire land symbolically shows the process in which God’s grace expands and comes to affect everything.
- As you reflect on God’s will concerning restoration, healing, and inclusion, you can also check how God’s life is flowing into the community you belong to.
Apply It to Me
- Think about which area of your life you hope the river of God’s life will reach.
- Consider in detail how God is calling you to bring about restoration and inclusion, and how you can participate in the flow of this life.
