Ezekiel 47

CHAPTER 47

The River From the Temple (47:1–12)

1–12 After Ezekiel has toured the temple area, the man—the angelic guide (Ezekiel 40:3–4)—brings him to the temple entrance, where Ezekiel sees water flowing out from beneath the temple (verses 1–2). The water gets deeper and wider as it flows until it becomes a river too great to cross (verses 3–5). Clearly this river is supernatural: no tributaries are mentioned, yet its flow increases. In addition, the water in the river is life–giving; as it flows down into the Arabah (the Jordan valley) and on into the Sea (the Dead Sea), it makes the water of the Dead Sea fresh¹⁰⁵ (verse 8). Everywhere the river flows, things come to life: fish in abundance, trees that bear fruit every month (verses 9–12).

God, of course, is the source of this river, and its purpose is to heal the land. The question arises: Is this the same river that the Apostle John saw in Revelation 22:1–2? The answer is: probably not.

As has been stated earlier, the vision described in Ezekiel Chapters 40–48 most likely relates to the time period of the Millennium, the thousand–year reign of Christ (Revelation 20:1–6). This thousand–year reign takes place before the destruction of the earth and the creation of a new heaven and earth (Revelation 21:1). The river seen by John is part of the new earth; it is an eternal river flowing from God’s throne, not from His temple. It belongs to the final “eternal state” described in Revelation 22:1–5. But even though the river of Ezekiel’s vision appears to be different from the river of John’s vision, the purpose of the two rivers is the same: to give blessing, healing and life.¹⁰⁶

The Boundaries of the Land (47:13–23)

13–14 Since the time of Abraham, the promised land had always been of central importance to the Israelites. God had sworn to give the land of Canaan to the descendants of Abraham (Genesis 12:7; 15:18–21); that land was to be the Israelites’ inheritance (verse 13). It was divided among the twelve tribes; the Levites did not receive a portion (Numbers 18:21–24), but Joseph received two portions—one for each of his two sons Ephraim and Manasseh (see Genesis 48:1–2,5–6). Thus there were still twelve tribes that received land.

15–20 The boundaries described in these verses are very precise; it seems hard to believe that they are only symbolic or figurative. Furthermore, they closely parallel the boundaries of Canaan outlined in Numbers 34:1–12. This is further evidence that Ezekiel’s vision will one day be fulfilled.¹⁰⁷

21–23 The Lord says that the aliens living among the Israelites should also receive allotments of land in the tribal areas where they settle (verse 22). They are to be treated as native–born Israelites, in accordance with the law of Moses (Leviticus 19:34). This equal treatment for aliens (Gentiles) points forward to the New Testament era, in which there is no longer a difference be tween Jew and GENTILE and all are one in Christ (see Romans 10:12; Galatians 3:28; Ephesians 2:11–22).