Ezekiel 48

Ezekiel 48:1

3. The Division of the Land (Chap. 48)48:1-7 It seems that the land will be divided in horizontal strips, from the Mediterranean to the eastern boundary of the land. The northernmost strip will be for the tribe of Dan (v. 1). Then below that, for Asher (v. 2), for Naphtali (v. 3), for Manasseh (v. 4), for Ephraim (v. 5), for Reuben (v. 6), and for Judah (v. 7). 48:8-22 South of Judah will be the portion already assigned to the prince, and including the sanctuary and the city of Jerusalem. This “holy district” will be a large square area bordering on the northern part of the Dead Sea. It will be divided into three horizontal strips, the northernmost one belonging to the priests, and having the Millennial temple in its center. The middle strip will be for the Levites, and the southern strip for the common people, with Jerusalem in its center. The remaining territory east and west of the square will belong to the prince. 48:23-27 Then south of the holy district will be sections for the tribes of Benjamin (v. 23), Simeon (v. 24), Issachar (v. 25), Zebulun (v. 26), and Gad (v. 27). 48:28-35 The city of New Jerusalem will have twelve gates, three on each side, one for each of the twelve tribes of Israel. Its name will be: Jehovah ShammahTHE LORD IS THERE. This name reminds us of what was always in the heart of God: He loves His creatures so much that He always planned to have them close to Himself. He is ever searching, asking, “Where are you?”, calling to repentance and faith. As Son of God He even came down to earth to die for us. His wish will be fulfilled: man will be close to His heart. We can engage in and participate in His search for the lost even now, while living close to His heart here on earth. This is God’s desire for us. We close our commentary on Ezekiel with a summary by the Hebrew Christian OT scholar, Charles L. Feinberg: This incomparable prophecy began with a vision of the glory of God and concludes with a description of the glory of the Lord in the glorified city of Jerusalem. Ezekiel concluded, as John in the Revelation, with God dwelling with man in holiness and glory. Beyond this there is no greater goal of history and God’s dealings with man.