Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

EZEKIEL - CHAPTER 47

THE RIVER OF THE WATER OF LIFE FROM THE TEMPLE

Verses 1-12:

Verse 1 certifies that the Lord then led Ezekiel by vision to the door of the house of the Lord, the temple; There he beheld waters coming forth from beneath the threshold, below the foundation of the house, facing the east. The waters came from down under or beneath, from the right side of the house, at the south side of the brazen altar or altar of sacrifice, Psalms 46:4; Joel 3:18; Zechariah 13:1; Zechariah 14:8. This appears to be a symbol of the river proceeding from the throne of the Lamb, as foretold, Revelation 22:1; Even the desert places are to be made fruitful by this stream, Isaiah 35:1.

Verse 2 adds that Ezekiel was then led out by way of the north gate, to the outer gate, by the way that looketh eastward. From there he beheld waters flowing from the right side, flowing eastward into the brook Kedron, toward the Dead Sea, making a mighty flowing river, supplied by an artesian fountain of supernatural source, from the temple of Jerusalem.

Verse 3 reminds that the one showing these things to Ezekiel was the man that had the line (measuring reed) in his hand, as he. went on out from the temple area eastward. He measured a thousand cubits and led Ezekiel through the waters that were ankle deep, Ezekiel 40:3; Zechariah 2:1; Revelation 11:1; Revelation 21:15.

Verse 4 continues the eastward measurements of the temple flowing waters. At one thousand further cubits away, the depth of the waters in Kedron, came to the knees; And at a third thousand cubits from the temple, the water reached to Ezekiel’s loins, almost deep enough to swim in.

Verse 5 certifies that afterward he measured a thousand and brought Ezekiel through the waters, protecting him from drowning; For it was risen and had become a river deep enough to swim in, and a river Ezekiel could not cross, except by Divine aid, as helped by the Divine measuring messenger of God, Hebrews 1:14.

Verse 6 certifies that the minister of God asked Ezekiel if he had seen what he had been shown, and received a real vision of future, Divine provision for his people, the people of God. Then he was brought back to the brink of the river for an enlargement of the vision revelation.

Verse 7 states that when Ezekiel returned to the river bank he beheld many trees on each bank of the river, growing, sustained by the ever-flowing waters, Psalms 1:3; Revelation 22:2. There was not one tree of life, as in Paradise, but many, Hebrews ch. 2; See also Isaiah 41:19; Isaiah 60:21; Isaiah 61:3; Psalms 91:12.

Verse 8 explained that these waters with a fountain head from beneath the holy temple, flowing eastward through the deserts of Judea into the Dead Sea, would cause the Dead Sea waters to be healed or made clean and palatable, to grow fish again, by the will and purpose and power of God, 2 Kings 2:19; 2 Kings 2:22; Such had been typified in days of old, Isaiah 11:6; Isaiah 11:9; Zechariah 2:11; Revelation 17:15.

Verse 9 certifies that, where the pure waters flow, the desert will be healed of its drought. And everything that lives or moves, wherever the waters flow, shall be caused to survive and produce. And there will be a very great multitude of fish, along the bank in this river, and in the Dead Sea which it fills, to heal her long cursed waters, John 5:25; John 6:63; John 14:6; John 14:19; 1 Corinthians 15:45.

Verse 10 certifies that so powerful shall be these artesian healing waters that wherever they flow, to the east and southeast, on the rivers and sea-ports, at En-gedi, even to En-eglaim, fishers shall industriously fish again and spread their nets. The fish will be of their kind. They shall be many, rapidly reproduced, even as the fish of the Great Sea, the Mediterranean, then known for its abounding supply of fish; See Matthew 4:19; Matthew 13:47; Numbers 34:6; Joshua 23:4.

Verse 11 states, however, that the miry places and marshes about the Dead Sea will not be healed. They will be given to salt, to salt mines, as a perpetual reminder of death for the disobedient, Genesis 19:26; Luke 17:32; Acts 5:9-11.

Verse 12 asserts that along the river bank of that broad, clear flowing stream, trees for food will grow. Their leaves will never fade, wilt, or die, nor shall their fruit ever cease. The trees will bear fruit repeatedly, month by month, fruit of edible quality for food for men. And the leaves of the trees will be used for medicine or health purposes for the people. All this is possible, because of the water that flows from beneath the threshold or foundation of the Divine temple, the sanctuary of the Lord, Job 8:16; Psalms 1:3; Jeremiah 17:8; See also Revelation 2:7; Revelation 22:2; Revelation 22:14; Matthew 10:42.

THE INHERITANCE OF THE GODLY

Verses 13-23:

Verse 13 declares that land should be divided among the twelve tribes of Israel substantially as formerly outlined, Numbers ch. 34. Here the description begins at the north, there at the south. Joseph is directed to have two portions, for his sons were given the birthright portion forfeited by Reuben, the firstborn, Genesis 48:5; Genesis 48:22; Joshua 14:4; 1 Chronicles 5:1. These twelve portions were to be exclusive of Levi’s land that was provided out of the oblation, Ezekiel 48:4-5.

Verse 14 asserts that each tribe was to inherit it "one as well as another," impartially, speaking of tribes, not individuals; Each tribe was to have an equitable breadth of the land assigned to it. It was to be done in harmony, which God had sworn to them, as their inheritance, from ancient times, Ezekiel 20:5-6; Ezekiel 20:28; Ezekiel 20:42; Genesis 12:7; Genesis 13:15; Genesis 15:7; Genesis 17:8; Genesis 26:3; Genesis 28:13.

Verses 15, 16 describe those northern boundaries of Canaan, with the names and places of those who should occupy them. From the great Mediterranean sea by way of Hethlon, Ezekiel 48:1 as one goes to Zedad, Numbers 34:8. The area is further identified on the east by Hamath, at the foot of Mt Hermon; Then to Berolhah which is believed to be the same as Berothai, a city of Syria, conquered by David, as recounted 2 Samuel 8:8. From there eastward to Sibrain, located between the border of Damascus and the border of Hamath. Hazar-hatticon is then near the border of Hauran or Auranitis, a tract in Syria just south of Damascus.

Verse 17 adds that the border from the sea shall be Hazar-enan the boundary or border of Damascus, north-northward, and the border of Hamath; And this exists as the north side of Israel’s boundaries, Ezekiel 48:1; Numbers 34:9.

Verse 18 states that the eastern border shall be from Hauran, and from Damascus, and from Gilead, and from the land of Israel by Jordan unto the east sea, the Dead Sea. This exists as the eastern border of Israel’s inheritance, as here delineated, Numbers 34:11-12.

Verse 19 gives the south border of Israel as extending from Tamar, meaning "palm tree," a village of that day near the southern end of the Dead Sea, south and west to the waters of strife in Kadesh, the river to the Mediterranean sea, to the west, as also described Ezekiel 48:28; Numbers 20:13; Deuteronomy 32:51; Psalms 81:7. This is (exists as) the south side, southward. This river to the great sea is that mentioned Numbers 34:5. Known as "The river of Egypt."

Verses 20, 21 state that the western border of Israel’s inheritance should be the coast of the great sea (Mediterranean) from the southwest border northward till one comes to Hamath. This is the west side of the land; After and within these outer borders the, land of restored Israel was to be apportioned to the tribes, equitably, Numbers 34:6; Judges 19:10; Judges 20:43.

Verses 22, 23 instruct Israel to divide the land by lot for an inheritance for them, and to the strangers who sojourned among them. Here the difference between the Jew and Gentile of former days seems to be either amended or abrogated, as it shall in the millennial era, Romans 10:12; Galatians 3:28; Colossians 3:11; See also Ephesians 3:6; Revelation 7:9-10. These strangers among the Israelites were to share in her inheritance, as if native born; In whatever tribal territory they lived, they were to be given an inheritance.