Ezekiel 47

5. Topographical aspects of the Millennium chs. 47-48

God promised Abraham that He would give a particular piece of real estate to his descendants (Genesis 12:7). Later He reiterated this promise and became more specific about its boundaries (Genesis 15:7; Genesis 15:18-21; Genesis 17:8; Numbers 34:1-12). He also told the Israelites that they would only be able to occupy the land to the extent that they followed Him faithfully (Deuteronomy 7:12; Deuteronomy 8:2). If they proved unfaithful, He would not only limit their possession of the land but even drive them out of it (Deuteronomy 28). Ezekiel prophesied that God would bring the Israelites back into the land (Ezekiel 36:24-30). He would give them a different attitude, and they would follow Him faithfully. Then they would finally, as never before, enjoy the full extent of the land He had promised their forefathers (cf. Deuteronomy 30). He also promised that they would never lose possession of the land, because they would remain faithful to Him (ch. 39). The assurance of the fulfillment of these ancient promises, which date all the way back to Abraham, concludes Ezekiel. It is a fitting climax to this section assuring future blessings for Israel (chs. 33-48) following the return of God’s glory to the land (chs. 40-48).

This section has two main parts: the description of a river that would flow through and heal the land (Ezekiel 47:1-12) and the description of Israel’s boundaries and tribal allotments during the Millennium (Ezekiel 47:13 to Ezekiel 48:35).