Ezekiel 47: A River of Life and a Promised Inheritance
Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.
Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from En–gedi even unto En–eglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.
But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
Thus saith the Lord God; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions.
And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance.
And this shall be the border of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;
Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazar–hatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran.
And the border from the sea shall be Hazar–enan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And this is the north side.
And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel by Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And this is the east side.
And the south side southward, from Tamar even to the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And this is the south side southward.
The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the west side.
So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.
And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord God.
Ezekiel 47 offers a powerful vision of restoration and blessing, painting a vivid picture of God's future kingdom. This chapter can be broadly divided into two sections: the life-giving river flowing from the temple (Ezekiel 47:1-12) and the re-establishment of Israel's land boundaries (Ezekiel 47:13-23). Through these images, Ezekiel conveys hope for a renewed relationship with God and a tangible inheritance for His people, including those who choose to dwell among them.
The River of Life (Ezekiel 47:1-12)
The chapter begins with a remarkable vision: water flowing eastward from beneath the threshold of the temple (Ezekiel 47:1). This isn't just any stream; it's a river that grows exponentially as it progresses. The water starts as a trickle and deepens dramatically every third of a mile (Ezekiel 47:3, 4-5), becoming a river impossible to cross on foot. This river's ultimate destination is the Dead Sea, a body of water so saturated with salt that it's devoid of life. Miraculously, the river transforms the Dead Sea, bringing forth abundant life and making its waters fresh (Ezekiel 47:9). The banks of the river teem with trees bearing fruit, their leaves providing healing (Ezekiel 47:12).
The imagery of water in Scripture is often associated with life and the Holy Spirit's work. Consider John 7:37-39, where Jesus speaks of "living water" flowing from within those who believe in Him. Therefore, the river emanating from the millennial temple symbolizes the return of God's Spirit to His house and the subsequent outpouring of His blessing upon the entire land. This is a testament to God's presence and His power to bring life where there was once only barrenness.
There's a significant kingdom lesson for us today. The church, as the body of Christ, is meant to model the kingdom of God. We are called to be a living illustration of the flowing, deepening, and growing life that manifests when the Holy Spirit's presence increases within a community of believers. Just as the river brought life to the Dead Sea, the church should be a source of spiritual revitalization to the world around it.
The book of Ezekiel addresses a nation in decline—religiously, governmentally, and within families. This decline stemmed from the failure of key institutions – the temple (representing the church today), the government, and the family – to adhere to God's statutes and commands. God's judgment, as Ezekiel reveals, begins with His own house (1 Peter 4:17). Before He addresses the broader culture, He calls His people to accountability.
The reason our culture is "drying up," spiritually speaking, is because the life-giving water is not flowing from the sanctuary into the world. Revival and transformation in our communities will not occur until God's presence manifests powerfully within our churches. If God's presence isn't evident among His people, how can we expect it to be evident in our neighborhoods, nation, and world?
The Promised Land (Ezekiel 47:13-23)
The remainder of Ezekiel 47 focuses on the borders and divisions of the land of Israel in the millennial kingdom. God is reaffirming His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the promise to give their descendants this land as an inheritance (Ezekiel 47:14).
The borders described here are similar to those originally given to Moses (Numbers 34:1-12), although Israel has never fully occupied all of that territory at any point in its history. This vision looks forward to a time when God's promise will be completely fulfilled.
The division of the land among the twelve tribes includes the provision that Joseph will receive two shares (Ezekiel 47:13). This refers to his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. It's important to note that the listing of tribes varies throughout the Old Testament, depending on the specific context. In this case, the context is land allotment. The tribe of Levi, set apart for service to the Lord, does not receive a specific land portion, as the Lord Himself is their inheritance.
The Levites were provided for throughout Israel's history, and Ezekiel's vision shows that they will have residences within the temple complex during the kingdom age. The two allotments given to Ephraim and Manasseh effectively replace the land that would have been given to Levi and Joseph. This accounts for the twelve allotments detailed in Ezekiel 48, with the remaining ten sons of Jacob receiving their portions.
Even aliens residing among the Israelites in the kingdom—Gentiles who believe in and worship the Messiah—will have special privileges (Ezekiel 47:21-23). Throughout Israel's history, foreigners who desired to follow the God of Israel were welcomed and treated with kindness. In the millennial kingdom, these believers will not only live among God's people but will also be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel (Ezekiel 47:22), demonstrating God's inclusive love and the universal reach of His kingdom. This highlights the fact that participation in God's kingdom is not limited by ethnicity or national origin but is open to all who place their faith in Him.
Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.
Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.
And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.
Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.
Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.
Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from En–gedi even unto En–eglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.
But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.
Thus saith the Lord God; This shall be the border, whereby ye shall inherit the land according to the twelve tribes of Israel: Joseph shall have two portions.
And ye shall inherit it, one as well as another: concerning the which I lifted up mine hand to give it unto your fathers: and this land shall fall unto you for inheritance.
And this shall be the border of the land toward the north side, from the great sea, the way of Hethlon, as men go to Zedad;
Hamath, Berothah, Sibraim, which is between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath; Hazar–hatticon, which is by the coast of Hauran.
And the border from the sea shall be Hazar–enan, the border of Damascus, and the north northward, and the border of Hamath. And this is the north side.
And the east side ye shall measure from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel by Jordan, from the border unto the east sea. And this is the east side.
And the south side southward, from Tamar even to the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the great sea. And this is the south side southward.
The west side also shall be the great sea from the border, till a man come over against Hamath. This is the west side.
So shall ye divide this land unto you according to the tribes of Israel.
And it shall come to pass, that ye shall divide it by lot for an inheritance unto you, and to the strangers that sojourn among you, which shall beget children among you: and they shall be unto you as born in the country among the children of Israel; they shall have inheritance with you among the tribes of Israel.
And it shall come to pass, that in what tribe the stranger sojourneth, there shall ye give him his inheritance, saith the Lord God.
Ezekiel 47 offers a powerful vision of restoration and blessing, painting a vivid picture of God's future kingdom. This chapter can be broadly divided into two sections: the life-giving river flowing from the temple (Ezekiel 47:1-12) and the re-establishment of Israel's land boundaries (Ezekiel 47:13-23). Through these images, Ezekiel conveys hope for a renewed relationship with God and a tangible inheritance for His people, including those who choose to dwell among them.
The River of Life (Ezekiel 47:1-12)
The chapter begins with a remarkable vision: water flowing eastward from beneath the threshold of the temple (Ezekiel 47:1). This isn't just any stream; it's a river that grows exponentially as it progresses. The water starts as a trickle and deepens dramatically every third of a mile (Ezekiel 47:3, 4-5), becoming a river impossible to cross on foot. This river's ultimate destination is the Dead Sea, a body of water so saturated with salt that it's devoid of life. Miraculously, the river transforms the Dead Sea, bringing forth abundant life and making its waters fresh (Ezekiel 47:9). The banks of the river teem with trees bearing fruit, their leaves providing healing (Ezekiel 47:12).
The imagery of water in Scripture is often associated with life and the Holy Spirit's work. Consider John 7:37-39, where Jesus speaks of "living water" flowing from within those who believe in Him. Therefore, the river emanating from the millennial temple symbolizes the return of God's Spirit to His house and the subsequent outpouring of His blessing upon the entire land. This is a testament to God's presence and His power to bring life where there was once only barrenness.
There's a significant kingdom lesson for us today. The church, as the body of Christ, is meant to model the kingdom of God. We are called to be a living illustration of the flowing, deepening, and growing life that manifests when the Holy Spirit's presence increases within a community of believers. Just as the river brought life to the Dead Sea, the church should be a source of spiritual revitalization to the world around it.
The book of Ezekiel addresses a nation in decline—religiously, governmentally, and within families. This decline stemmed from the failure of key institutions – the temple (representing the church today), the government, and the family – to adhere to God's statutes and commands. God's judgment, as Ezekiel reveals, begins with His own house (1 Peter 4:17). Before He addresses the broader culture, He calls His people to accountability.
The reason our culture is "drying up," spiritually speaking, is because the life-giving water is not flowing from the sanctuary into the world. Revival and transformation in our communities will not occur until God's presence manifests powerfully within our churches. If God's presence isn't evident among His people, how can we expect it to be evident in our neighborhoods, nation, and world?
The Promised Land (Ezekiel 47:13-23)
The remainder of Ezekiel 47 focuses on the borders and divisions of the land of Israel in the millennial kingdom. God is reaffirming His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—the promise to give their descendants this land as an inheritance (Ezekiel 47:14).
The borders described here are similar to those originally given to Moses (Numbers 34:1-12), although Israel has never fully occupied all of that territory at any point in its history. This vision looks forward to a time when God's promise will be completely fulfilled.
The division of the land among the twelve tribes includes the provision that Joseph will receive two shares (Ezekiel 47:13). This refers to his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. It's important to note that the listing of tribes varies throughout the Old Testament, depending on the specific context. In this case, the context is land allotment. The tribe of Levi, set apart for service to the Lord, does not receive a specific land portion, as the Lord Himself is their inheritance.
The Levites were provided for throughout Israel's history, and Ezekiel's vision shows that they will have residences within the temple complex during the kingdom age. The two allotments given to Ephraim and Manasseh effectively replace the land that would have been given to Levi and Joseph. This accounts for the twelve allotments detailed in Ezekiel 48, with the remaining ten sons of Jacob receiving their portions.
Even aliens residing among the Israelites in the kingdom—Gentiles who believe in and worship the Messiah—will have special privileges (Ezekiel 47:21-23). Throughout Israel's history, foreigners who desired to follow the God of Israel were welcomed and treated with kindness. In the millennial kingdom, these believers will not only live among God's people but will also be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel (Ezekiel 47:22), demonstrating God's inclusive love and the universal reach of His kingdom. This highlights the fact that participation in God's kingdom is not limited by ethnicity or national origin but is open to all who place their faith in Him.