The River, the Temple, and the Inheritance: God’s Perfect Order Restored
- Be God's Glory
- Sep 15
- 10 min read
Welcome to Day 258 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are in the book of Ezekiel. In these final chapters of Ezekiel, God gives a breathtaking vision of restored worship, divine provision, and the inheritance of His people. The passages describe regulations for the prince, the sanctity of offerings, and the proper order of temple worship, revealing God’s concern for holiness and justice in leadership. Ezekiel then sees the river of life flowing from the temple, bringing healing and abundance wherever it goes, symbolizing the Spirit of God reviving the nations. The land is finally divided among the tribes of Israel in a perfect and just manner, emphasizing God’s covenant faithfulness. These chapters conclude with the declaration of the city’s new name: “The LORD is There,” underscoring His abiding presence with His people for eternity.
Ezekiel 46
Ezekiel 46 outlines the ordinances of worship within the restored temple, with a special focus on the prince’s role. The prince enters the temple gate on the Sabbath and New Moons, symbolizing leadership that is both humble and accountable before God. Sacrifices and offerings are described in detail, pointing to reverence, holiness, and complete devotion in approaching God. The people are to worship in ordered unity, exiting through opposite gates, representing balance and equality before the Lord. Regulations are also given for how the prince distributes land, preventing oppression and ensuring fairness for future generations. This chapter emphasizes that worship and governance must align with God’s holiness and justice.
Ezekiel 47
Ezekiel 47 unveils the vision of a river flowing from the temple threshold, deepening as it goes, bringing life and healing to the land. As it reaches the Dead Sea, the waters become fresh, teeming with fish and sustaining trees whose leaves bring healing and fruit for nourishment. This river symbolizes the Spirit of God, overflowing from His dwelling place to renew creation and restore abundance. The chapter also establishes boundaries of the land for Israel, showing that God’s presence brings not just spiritual renewal but also tangible provision. By highlighting both the physical and spiritual blessings, this passage points to God’s ultimate restoration and the flourishing of His people.
Ezekiel 48
Ezekiel 48 describes the final apportioning of the land among the twelve tribes, arranged in perfect order across Israel. Each tribe receives a fair inheritance, reflecting God’s justice and faithfulness to His covenant promises. The chapter details the sacred portion set apart for the temple, priests, and Levites, emphasizing holiness at the center of community life. The city itself is given twelve gates, each named after a tribe, symbolizing unity and belonging for all of God’s people. The climax of the book comes with the declaration of the city’s name: “The LORD is There,” affirming God’s permanent presence among His people. This vision portrays a future where God’s order, justice, and nearness define the life of His restored nation.
Origin & Meaning of the Name:
The name Ezekiel comes from the Hebrew name Yehezqel, which means “God strengthens” or “God is my strength.” This meaning is significant in the context of the book because Ezekiel is called by God to strengthen the faith of Israel and uphold God’s authority in the midst of the nation’s exile and rebellion.
Purpose of the Book:
The book of Ezekiel was written primarily to warn, convict, and comfort the people of Israel during their exile in Babylon (c. 593–571 BC). Its purposes include:
Warning of Judgment: To declare God’s judgment on Israel for their idolatry, rebellion, and unfaithfulness (Ezekiel 5:5–17).
Encouraging Repentance: To call the people to repentance and restore hope for the remnant who return to God (Ezekiel 18:30–32).
Revealing God’s Sovereignty and Glory: Through vivid visions, symbolic acts, and prophetic messages, the book emphasizes that God is sovereign over all nations, not just Israel (Ezekiel 1:26–28; 36:22–23).
Promising Restoration: Ezekiel concludes with promises of renewal for Israel, including the vision of the valley of dry bones and the restored temple, symbolizing spiritual revival and national restoration (Ezekiel 37:1–28; 40–48).
Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:
The book of Ezekiel is attributed to the prophet Ezekiel, a priest and prophet among the Jewish exiles in Babylon. Evidence for his authorship includes:
Biblical References:
Ezekiel repeatedly identifies himself in the text as the recipient of God’s visions and messages (Ezekiel 1:3, 2:1, 3:4).
The Book of 2 Kings 24–25 provides historical context about the Babylonian exile, confirming the timeframe of Ezekiel’s ministry.
Extra-Biblical Support:
The Jewish historian Josephus in Antiquities of the Jews (Book 10, Chapter 10) references Ezekiel as a prophet active during the Babylonian exile, confirming the traditional attribution.
The Talmud (Babylonian Talmud, tractate Megillah 14b) also recognizes Ezekiel as the author of the prophetic book that bears his name.
Internal Evidence: The first-person accounts, vivid visions, and symbolic actions consistently present throughout the book strongly suggest a single author with intimate knowledge of priestly practices and the Babylonian exile experience.
Key People:
Ezekiel – The prophet and main figure, called by God to deliver messages of warning, judgment, and hope.
God (YHWH) – Central figure of the book, revealed in powerful visions and messages.
King Jehoiachin – King of Judah taken into Babylonian exile, mentioned in Ezekiel 1:2 and 24:1–2.
Other Israelites – The people of Israel, often depicted as rebellious and in need of correction (Ezekiel 2:3–5; 18:2–3).
Foreign Nations – Babylon, Tyre, Egypt, Ammon, Moab, and Edom, who are often referenced in prophecies of judgment (Ezekiel 25–32).
Conclusion
The book of Ezekiel concludes with a powerful message of hope, restoration, and God’s enduring presence. Despite Israel’s rebellion and judgment, God promises to gather His people, cleanse them from sin, and restore them to their land. The final chapters (Ezekiel 40–48) present a vision of a renewed temple and a reestablished covenant community, symbolizing spiritual revival and the assurance that God remains faithful to His promises. The overarching theme is that God is holy, sovereign, and faithful, and He works through judgment and restoration to fulfill His purposes for His people.
What is God's Name in these Chapters?
In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.
Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.
"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.
Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:
Ezekiel 46
In Ezekiel 46, God reveals Himself as orderly, just, and holy. He cares deeply about how His people approach Him in worship, showing that He is not a God of chaos but of divine structure. His character emphasizes fairness, as He ensures the prince cannot exploit the people when giving land, protecting future generations from oppression. This reflects God’s heart for justice, accountability, and reverence in worship.
No specific Hebrew names of God are mentioned here, but His character shines through His instructions. God teaches that worship must be approached with intentionality and purity, not casually or carelessly. He also shows that leadership must reflect His justice and not self-interest, pointing to His role as the ultimate righteous ruler. From this, we learn that our lives should mirror God’s order, reverence, and fairness in both worship and leadership.
Ezekiel 47
In this chapter, God is revealed as life-giving and restorative. The vision of the river flowing from the temple portrays Him as the source of renewal and blessing, transforming even the barren and lifeless into places of abundance. His character is generous, abundant, and full of healing, showing that wherever His presence flows, life flourishes.
While no Hebrew names of God are directly mentioned, this passage points us to the nature of Jehovah Rapha (The LORD Who Heals), because the river brings healing to the waters and nations. God teaches that His Spirit brings restoration not just spiritually but also physically and communally. The lesson here is that when we remain connected to God as our source, His presence revives dead places in our lives and brings fruitfulness where there once was lack.
Ezekiel 48
Here, God is revealed as faithful, just, and present. He carefully distributes the land to each tribe equally, showing His commitment to His covenant promises and His justice in providing for His people. The climax is the naming of the city “The LORD is There” (Yahweh Shammah), which highlights His abiding presence with His people.
The name Yahweh Shammah (The LORD is There) is directly given in this chapter, emphasizing that God’s greatest gift is not merely land or inheritance, but His very presence among His people. The lesson here is that true security and joy come from God’s nearness, not possessions or status. He reminds us that His ultimate desire is to dwell with us, and our lives should be centered on His presence.
Christ in Every Book of the Bible
Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.
Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.
The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!
Questions:
Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.
Questions About God's Character: What do these chapters reveal about God’s faithfulness to His word and promises?
How does God’s emphasis on order in worship in Ezekiel 46 reveal His character as holy and just?
What does God’s protection against exploitation in Ezekiel 46 show about His care for fairness and the vulnerable?
How does the river of life in Ezekiel 47 reflect God’s character as the source of restoration and renewal?
In Ezekiel 47, what do we learn about God’s generosity in the way His blessings bring abundance and healing?
How does God’s faithful distribution of land in Ezekiel 48 highlight His covenant-keeping nature?
What does the name Yahweh Shammah (“The LORD is There”) in Ezekiel 48 reveal about God’s desire for His people?
How do these chapters together show God as both transcendent in holiness and intimate in His presence?
Questions About Themes:
What theme of order and reverence in worship is emphasized in Ezekiel 46, and why is this important?
How does the theme of righteous leadership appear in Ezekiel 46 through the role of the prince?
In Ezekiel 47, how does the river symbolize the theme of life flowing from God’s presence?
What theme of healing and restoration is communicated through the transformation of the Dead Sea in Ezekiel 47?
How does the division of the land in Ezekiel 48 highlight the theme of God’s justice and faithfulness?
What is the significance of the theme of unity, shown by the twelve gates named after the tribes in Ezekiel 48?
How do these three chapters together point to the overarching theme of God’s presence as the ultimate blessing?
Reflective Application Questions:
In what ways can we ensure that our worship today reflects God’s holiness and order, as seen in Ezekiel 46?
How can we practice fairness and justice in leadership or influence, modeling God’s standards from Ezekiel 46?
Where in your life do you need the “river of God” from Ezekiel 47 to bring healing and restoration?
How can you remain connected to God as your source, so that His life flows through you to others?
What does God’s fairness in dividing the land in Ezekiel 48 teach you about trusting His provision in your own life?
How can the truth of Yahweh Shammah (“The LORD is There”) shape the way you approach daily challenges?
Looking at Ezekiel 46–48 as a whole, how can you live with greater awareness of God’s presence in your worship, your community, and your personal walk with Him?
These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.
Reference Guides:
Life Application Study Guide
A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler
The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans
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