This is the end of the book of Ezekiel! There are a lot of details that I will try to explain to the best of my ability! Be sure to look at my post about chapters 40-42, because it has an image of what the temple should look like! I hope you guys have enjoyed the book of Ezekiel as much as I have! I was getting a little run down on this book, but now it will be onto the next book. The next book is fascinating, and my pastor actually just did a series on it! Cannot wait to share!
One the Sabbath the inner court will be open where the prince will follow specific directions on how to worship. Last post I mentioned how I am not sure who the prince is, it could be Jesus but I am not certain! There is a special way God wants His people to enter and leave the temple, to keep as much order as possible. God now wants His people to give a burnt offering daily of a blemish free lamb, which is different than the rules laid out in Numbers 28:3-8 and 2 Kings 16:15, which entailed the sacrifice happening less often. The process of burning this offering daily will be taken care of by the Levite priests that reside in the temple.
Ezekiel was then given the image of walking through a river leaving the temple to the east that got deeper and deeper as he continued to walk in it. God tells that this river is full of healing and helps to bring life. It reaches the Dead Sea where it becomes fresh so that fishing can happen and provide food. This image represents how prosperity and healing flow from God and His home. People can be taken care of by God and His laws (as displayed by the temple) if they choose to be! God then goes into detail about breaking up the territory amongst the tribes once again, following captivity. The Levites, like I have mentioned, don’t get territory because they reside in the temple and are the priests. So to keep the land split 12 ways, the tribe of Joseph is split. God now has it that anyone that marries an Israelite, is an Israelite. Before it was exclusive, now God is expanding His people. He will eventually expand His people to everyone! For Jesus died for us all, not just the Israelites but the Gentiles (non-Jewish people) as well.
The land is divided in this order from the Northern districts to the Southern districts: Dan, Asher, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, Reuben, and Judah. Judah got the most prosperous land as a result of its’ lineage. David was from the tribe of Judah, and Jesus came out of the lineage of David. The holy city with farmland in the center is for all of the people. It is the capital of the Israelites. Continuing southward from Judah are the following separation of territories: Benjamin, Simeon, Issachar, Zebulun, and Gad (the farthest South). According to Genesis 35:24 Benjamin is also favored, and it is shown by what is in its’ territory.
The gates of the city are named after the 12 tribes, and they are grouped uniquely. The Northern Gate is for Reuben (the first born), Judah (David and Jesus’ lineage), and Levi (priests). The Eastern Gate is for Joseph (Manasseh and Ephraim), Benjamin (along with Joseph, they are Jacob and Rachel’s sons), and Dan (son of Jacob and Bilhah). The Southern Gate represents Jacob and Leah’s sons which are Simeon, Issachar, and Zebulun. The Western Gate represents Asher and Gad (Jacob and Zitpah’s sons), and Naphtali (Jacob and Bilhah’s son). The new name of the city means “The LORD is there.” God has officially returned to His people at this point and He will never leave them!
nys time 