Day 254—We are in the NINETH month of Bible reading, with more of Israel’s history and the conclusion of EZEKIEL’s prophecy.

    Day 254– Ezekiel 46-48 (Visions and instructions of the new temple, offerings, the prince, the freshening river, and future land divisions)

Ezekiel 46. This chapter itemizes many of the feasts and sacrifices/offerings that will take place in this new, huge temple area. Also, practically, it describes kitchens where the meats and grains will be boiled for the Priests’ use.

An interesting point is about the three gates of the temple courtyard. Only the “prince” shall use the East gate, and when the people come in to worship, they will enter either at the South or North gates and exit at the opposite ones. (North to South, South to North).  It’s suitable for traffic flow, but it may illustrate that the people go out “different” after worshiping the LORD GOD.

Ezekiel 47. This chapter portrays an amazing, cleansing, freshening, life-giving river that begins as a stream from under the temple’s threshold.  It flows between the temple and the altar and seems to seep out the south side.  In the vision, the Bronze builder leads Ezekiel in increments of 1,000 cubits (1,500 feet) along this rapidly increasing river, showing him how it gets deeper and deeper until it’s above the prophet’s head.  It eventually flows into the Dead Sea (Salt Sea), making the water drinkable and teaming with fish. Plants and fruitful trees grow along its banks.  (It’s interesting to read that a few marshes are left intact, so needed salt can be gathered.)

In this chapter (and part of Ezekiel 48), the slightly enlarged land of Israel is divided into tribal allotments. Some are similar, but for the most part, the allotments are different from those in Joshua’s time. They seem more evenly divided and are in horizontal bands from North to South. Dan is included, although it is omitted in the list at the beginning of Revelation because of its sin. Now, it seems they are united again with all the tribes of Israel that God has brought back from the two exiles (Assyria & Babylon) when they were scattered throughout the world.

Ezekiel 48b.  Even the priests and Levites get land of their own to live on.  The Temple city in the Holy Portion is now called the “The LORD is There” (YHVH Shammah) and has a circumference of 6 miles, with three gates on each side.  The twelve gates are named for the twelve original tribes of Israel. (North gates – Reuben, Judah, Levi; East gates – Joseph, Benjamin, Dan; South gates – Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun; West gates – Gad, Asher, Naphtali.)  

Interestingly, the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21:10-14 has 12 gates, 3 on each side, with the names of the tribes of Israel, one on each. It ALSO has 12 foundations with the names of the apostles, one on each. 

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Tomorrow: Joel.