Ezekiel 47:13–23

Our Lesson for the Week

Introduction

We have all seen families squabble over estates

Introduction

Yet, unearned assets are a part of our faith.

Jesus told His disciples:

Cure the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. You received without payment; give without

payment.

Matthew 10:8

Introduction

Remember:

The people of Israel and Judah had forfeited any right they had to their inheritance due to their national

idolatry.

Introduction

Remember:

In Ezekiel’s previous vision, God’s glory had departed the temple and the nation.

(Ezekiel 8-11)

Introduction

Remember:

Yet now Ezekiel’s vision is of a new temple and city for the people of God.

But things were not to be as they once were because foreigners now inhabited the land.

Introduction

God spells out His promise for their unmerited inheritance but with a stipulation.

This is where our text begins:

Ezekiel 47:13

This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “These are the boundaries of the land that you will divide among the twelve tribes of Israel as their inheritance, with two

portions for Joseph.

Ezekiel 47:13

By this time in Israel’s history a regathering of the 12 tribes seems impossible but God has promised that a “remnant” will return (Isaiah 10:20–22) and that he

will indeed regather his people.

(Jeremiah 23:3; Ezekiel 34:11–16)

Ezekiel 47:13

The land is to be distributed among the twelve tribes of Israel, with the particular notice that a double

portion is to be given to Joseph.

This reflects the fact that Joseph had two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh (Genesis 48:1–22), whose descendants formed two tribes of those names.

Pause2Talk

Allowing someone back into our lives who has betrayed us and caused us harm is difficult. What obligations are we under as Christians to do so?

For instance, what do you say to an abused wife considering taking her husband back?

Ezekiel 47:14

“You are to divide it equally among them. Because I swore with uplifted hand to give it to your ancestors,

this land will become your inheritance.

Ezekiel 47:14

This text confronts Israel with a surprise: each tribe is to receive an equal share of land.

Such an idea was unrealistic in the beginning because of the differing sizes of the tribes and their needs

(Numbers 32:1–5; Joshua 14–19).

Ezekiel 47:14

The land was apportioned originally by lot (Numbers 26:55, 56; 33:54; Joshua 14:2).

Not so here.

Ezekiel 47:14

Even today, an uplifted hand is the gesture accompanying an oath (Deuteronomy 32:40).

God is said to have made such an oath, promising this land to the patriarchs (Exodus 6:8 with Genesis 12:7;

13:14–17; 15:7–20).

Ezekiel 47:14

The people who have lost everything are promised a new inheritance (Ezekiel 45).

They will experience a new temple (40:1–43:11), a new law (43:12), a new land (today’s text), along with

a new city (48:30–35).

Ezekiel 47:15–20

15, 16

“This is to be the boundary of the land:

“On the north side it will run from the Mediterranean Sea by the Hethlon road past Lebo Hamath to Zedad,

Berothah and Sibraim (which lies on the border between Damascus and Hamath), as far as Hazer

Hattikon, which is on the border of Hauran.

Ezekiel 47:15–20

The vision describes Israel’s borders beginning with the northern side in a complex description across

three verses. The descriptions will then move clockwise—east, south, and west.

These descriptions are patterned after Numbers 34:1–12.

Ezekiel 47:15–20

The Hebrew word for boundary (also translated “border” in Ezekiel 47:16, next) can also mean “territory” (as in 48:2–8). Thus the difficulty of

determining the exact location of the boundary is increased.

Ezekiel 47:15–20

The Old Testament has been described as “a book of boundaries.”

Many boundaries addressed are physical (example: Psalm 104:9) but others are spiritual in nature

(examples: Leviticus 10:10; Ezekiel 44:23).

Ezekiel 47:15–20

The problem was that people had an evil tendency to try to move (or remove) both kinds of boundaries

(examples: Job 24:2; Ezekiel 22:26).

Ezekiel 47:15–20

Mark 7:18-19

He said to them, ‘Then do you also fail to understand? Do you not see that whatever goes into a person from outside cannot defile, since it enters, not the heart but the stomach, and goes out into the sewer?’ (Thus he

declared all foods clean.)

Ezekiel 47:15–20

But God also has established for eternity a boundary that is not only immovable but uncrossable (Luke

16:26; Revelation 21:27; 22:14, 15).

Ezekiel 47:15–20

Luke 16:26

Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to pass from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from

there to us.”

Ezekiel 47:15–20

Since there are no natural boundaries (river names, etc.) for the northern description, place names are

used, and many are difficult to determine but extend into present day Lebanon and Syria.

Pause2Talk

When it comes to our faith and His message, what are some boundaries that we cannot allow the world to

move?

How should we guard those differences when it comes to other churches?

Ezekiel 47:15–20

17

“The boundary will extend from the sea to Hazar Enan, along the northern border of Damascus, with the

border of Hamath to the north. This will be the northern boundary.

Ezekiel 47:15–20

As vague as this description of the northern border is to us, we should note that this border is much farther

north than the land actually controlled by the Israelites in history—“from Dan to Beersheba” (2

Samuel 3:10).

Ezekiel 47:15–20

God did promise to Abraham land “from the Wadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates” (Genesis

15:18).

Israel came close to controlling this territory only twice: once under David and Solomon (see 2 Samuel 8:1–12; 1 Kings 8:65; 1 Chronicles 13:5; 2 Chronicles 7:8) and once under Jeroboam II (see 2 Kings 14:25).

Ezekiel 47:15–20

In describing this idealized northern area as he does, Ezekiel is leaving room for the 12 tribes to receive roughly equal strips of land down to the southern

border.

Ezekiel 47:15–20

18

“On the east side the boundary will run between Hauran and Damascus, along the Jordan between

Gilead and the land of Israel, to the Dead Sea and as far as Tamar. This will be the eastern boundary.

Ezekiel 47:15–20

The river then becomes, along with the Dead Sea, the majority of the eastern border. The eastern border terminates at Tamar (also known as “Tadmor” in 1

Kings 9:18), located near the southern extremity of the Dead Sea.

Ezekiel 47:15–20

This description cuts out the Transjordan tribal settlements of Numbers 34:1–12.

The Transjordan was not part of the original promise of land; the two and a half tribes that originally settled

there are described in Ezekiel’s vision as located elsewhere (see Ezekiel 48:4, 6, 27).

Ezekiel 47:15–20

19

“On the south side it will run from Tamar as far as the waters of Meribah Kadesh, then along the Wadi of Egypt to the Mediterranean Sea. This will be the

southern boundary

Ezekiel 47:15–20

The southern boundary moves southwest through the ancient site of Meribah Kadesh (Numbers 20:13, 14,

24; 27:14). It then follows the Wadi of Egypt (Numbers 34:5 and Joshua 15:4) to the Mediterranean Sea.

The river noted (today known as Wadi el-Arish) serves as a natural boundary between Egypt and Canaan

which encompasses the Gaza Strip.

Ezekiel 47:15–20

20

“On the west side, the Mediterranean Sea will be the boundary to a point opposite Lebo Hamath. This will

be the western boundary.

Ezekiel 47:15–20

The Mediterranean Sea clearly marks the entire western boundary from Egypt (v. 19) all the way to the

northern border.

Ezekiel 47:21–23

21

“You are to distribute this land among yourselves according to the tribes of Israel.

Ezekiel 47:21–23

The book goes on to assign equal strips of land, with seven tribes north of the strip reserved for the holy

city and sanctuary (48:1–7) and five tribes south of it (48:23–29).

Ezekiel 47:21–23

The tribal arrangements seem to place the more favored tribes, the ones descending from Jacob’s wives

Leah and Rachel, closest to the sanctuary; the less favored tribes, descending from Jacob’s concubines Bilhah and Zilpah, are farther away (Genesis 35:23–

26).

Pause2Talk

We tend to treat others based on how similar they are to us and our positions.

Which is more important, similarity or positions?

Ezekiel 47:21–23

22

“You are to allot it as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have

children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an

inheritance among the tribes of Israel.

Ezekiel 47:21–23

We come to a key point of this lesson: inheritance … for the foreigners residing among the Israelites. These foreigners are the resident aliens living in their midst.

Ezekiel 47:21–23

Historically, such a person is listed alongside “the fatherless and the widow” in Ezekiel 22:7 and “the poor and needy” in 22:29—people vulnerable to

abuse and oppression.

Ezekiel 47:21–23

Israel is to protect such people because the Israelites know what it is like to be foreigners in another land (see Leviticus 19:33, 34; Deuteronomy 10:19; 26:5;

Isaiah 52:4; Psalm 105:23).

Ezekiel 47:21–23

If we are correct in seeing Ezekiel 40–48 as being a divine vision set in apocalyptic style, then we must see

it fulfilled in Christ.

As Ezekiel saw a wholly new temple with God’s glorious presence returned, so Jesus is that “new temple” (John 2:18–22) and Christians make up a

“new temple” on earth (Ephesians 2:19–22).

Ezekiel 47:21–23

The living water that flows from the temple in Ezekiel 47:1–12 is understood as fulfilled in the new covenant era, when people of every ethnic group can call on the

Lord for forgiveness of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

Pause2Talk

How do we determine when to fellowship and not fellowship with others believers or congregations?

Ezekiel 47:21–23

A major problem today is that of undocumented immigrants, also referred to as illegal aliens.

One organization reports that there may be between 25 and 30 million illegal aliens throughout the world.

A major problem today is that of undocumented immigrants, also referred to as illegal aliens. One organization reports that there may be between 25 and 30 million illegal aliens throughout the world.

Ezekiel 47:21–23

23

“In whatever tribe a foreigner resides, there you are to give them their inheritance,” declares the Sovereign

Lord.

Ezekiel 47:21–23

Such a foreigner is not to be oppressed or exploited in any way for any reason.

The injunction to grant foreigners their inheritance within the tribes where they are living is pure

compassion.

Ezekiel 47:21–23

The apostle Paul in his day spends much time and effort to bring Jews and Gentiles together into one

family.

He argues that faith or faithfulness is the mark of the new people of God; because of that, Abraham is the

father of all who believe (see Romans 4:11, 16).

Ezekiel 47:21–23

How can any of us elevate ourselves above another in light of the fact that “all have sinned and fall short of

the glory of God” (3:23)?

Therefore we are to “accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God”

(15:7).

Pause2Talk

When we see others as ‘foreigners’, we tend to treat them differently. What are some ways that we treat

our neighbors as foreigners?

Conclusion

In Exodus 32, God spared Israel from destruction and God would forever be known as “the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love

and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin” (34:6, 7).

Conclusion

Jonah was told to proclaim judgment against the Ninevites, who were considered the greatest of

sinners in his day.

Not only did God allow new beginnings for his own people, he also offered new beginnings for the Gentile

pagans, the “foreigners.”

Conclusion

King David, a man after God’s own heart, sinned greatly by committing adultery and murder. But he

confessed his sin and he did indeed experience a new beginning.

He would write, “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me” (Psalm 51:10).

With this accomplished, David wanted to share his new beginning (see Psalm 51:13).

Conclusion

Jeremiah’s prophecies are mostly judgmental in nature. But the prophet noted God’s offer of a radical

new beginning: a new covenant whereby everyone could know the Lord intimately and know that their

sins have been forgiven (Jeremiah 31:31–34).

Lessons

Realize that the people of Israel will always play a special role in the eternal plan of God. (13-14)

Lessons

Recognize that God may sometimes give us things and then take them away temporarily or permanently as

He wills. (15-20)

Lessons

Understand that God’s promises may or may not be fulfilled in our lifetimes. (15-20)

Lessons

Accept that it is God’s right as Creator to do with this world and us as He wills. (22)

Lessons

Affirm that while God has a promise with Israel, His higher concern is for all people. (23)