The Gospel According to Ezekiel, Chapters 47-48

The River of Life from the Temple

As Ezekiel chapter 47 begins, water issues from below the threshold of the temple toward the east, flowing down from below the south end of the threshold, south of the altar. The man leads Ezekiel out by the north gate, around to the outer gate facing east, where water trickles out on the south side.

Going eastward with a measuring line, he measures a thousand cubits and leads Ezekiel through the water—it is ankle deep. Another thousand cubits, and it is knee deep. Again a thousand, and it is waist deep. Another thousand, and it is a river that cannot be passed through, deep enough to swim in.

And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he led me back to the bank of the river. As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. ... This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. ... Fishermen will stand beside the sea.... Its fish will be of very many kinds like the fish of the Great Sea. ... On the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing.

This river has peculiar qualities. Its source is not rainwater, a tributary, or any body of water—it flows from the temple itself, the dwelling place of God. It starts shallow and narrow, trickling out from the south side of the altar, under the inner courtyard wall, through the outer courtyard, and down toward the Arabah, the Dead Sea.

Every thousand cubits—about 1,500 feet—the river widens and deepens. No external sources feed it; the temple produces this extraordinary flow. Trees spring up along its banks, bearing fruit every month with leaves for healing. Living creatures thrive, the Dead Sea's waters become fresh, teeming with fish for fishermen.

The Symbolic Depth of the River

This river reveals deeper truths about God. It points to spiritual realities fulfilled in the New Testament.

John 7:37-39: On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus was not yet glorified.

From the inner being of believers flows rivers of living water—the Holy Spirit bringing spiritual nourishment and satisfaction. Jesus offers what wells of this world cannot: endless fulfillment.

Revelation 22:1-2: Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.

Wherever God rests, a river flows—bringing rest, sustenance, abundance, and healing from sin's scars. As in the Garden of Eden, Psalm 36:8 speaks of drinking from the river of God's pleasures. Psalm 46:4 describes a river whose streams make glad the city of God.

This river deepens impossibly; you cannot pass through it. The deeper we go into God's blessings, grace, and the Holy Spirit, the deeper they become. There is no exhausting God. As C.S. Lewis illustrated, as we grow in knowledge of Him, He grows greater to us.

The river flows into the Dead Sea, cleansing its saltiness and bringing life—symbolizing purification and renewal for God's people.

The Division of the Land

The land is divided equally among the twelve tribes of Israel, with Joseph receiving two portions. Detailed boundaries are set: north from the Great Sea by way of Hethlon to Lebo-hamath; east along the Jordan; south from Tamar to Meribah-kadesh; west the Great Sea.

So you shall divide this land among you according to the tribes of Israel. You shall allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the sojourners who reside among you and have had children among you. They shall be to you as native-born children of Israel. With you they shall be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.

Chapter 48 details tribal allotments from north to south: Dan, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, Reuben, Judah, then a holy portion for priests and Levites, a city area, and portions for Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, Gad.

The holy portion centers the sanctuary: 25,000 cubits square for priests (sons of Zadok), alongside for Levites, and common use for the city. The city's gates are named after the tribes, its circumference 18,000 cubits. The name of the city: The Lord Is There.

This land encompasses the Levant—from Egypt to the Euphrates, Mediterranean to Dead Sea—more than modern Israel.

Life, Land, and the Lord

Ezekiel 40-48 is symbolic and typical, pointing to New Testament fulfillment in Christ and God's people dwelling with Him. No command is given to build this temple. It presents the Bible's great promise: God glorifying Himself in the salvation of His people, who live with Him forever.

Ezekiel spoke to exiles longing for restoration from sin's wretchedness—a permanent utopia worshiping God. The river embodies life from God's presence. The land shows secure dwelling for God's united people—Israel and grafted-in believers as one.

True Israel are the spiritually circumcised, Abraham's seed by faith. You have a place in God's dwelling, prepared by Christ, as He promised.

Ezekiel's message: God punishes sin, preserves His people, purchases a dwelling, provides satisfaction, places them to praise His presence in permanent protection through His Prince. The book contrasts "The Lord Is Not There" (judgment) with "The Lord Is There" (restoration).

Sin stems from discontent with God—pride seeking self-rule, idols, autonomy. Where sin reigns, judgment follows: injustice, deception, unrighteousness. But God's manifest presence brings equity and glory.

Preach this gospel: a sin-filled land faces judgment; believe in the city where the Lord is there. Like Abraham, long for the heavenly city. God gathers His elect where He dwells preeminently—the sole source of life, blessing, salvation.

In eternity, freed from sin, supplied by God's river, worship will not bore—it will overwhelm with joy in the fully redeemed state. The Lord is there.