Title: Restoration of God's Entire Community/Ezekiel 48
Content: Restoration of the whole community of God
Ezekiel 48
1. The land distribution of the seven tribes (1-7)
After Ezekiel recorded the boundaries of the land that the tribes of Israel would possess, this paragraph now names the tribes by name and describes the process of specific land distribution. This distribution of land is a foreshadowing of the fact that we participate in the inheritance of eternal life rather than a historical fulfillment. In other words, the saints will inherit the inheritance of heaven on the last day and enjoy eternal happiness.
The central lesson of this paragraph is that the location of the land is reserved, but the size of the land is equal. This equitable distribution teaches that there can be no discrimination in God's community.
2. Distribution of the Holy Land (8-22)
① The holy land given to the Zadok priests (8-12)
② Land of the Levites (13-14) ③ Size of the city (15-20) ④ Introduction of the land of the king (21-22)
This paragraph records the dispensing of God's party in which the temple is located. Ezekiel emphasizes God-centered life by revealing that the temple is in the center of the earth, the king's inheritance is on the left and right, the land of the Levites is on the north side, and the city is on the husband's side.
The lesson of this paragraph is
(1) Priestly land distribution standards (8-12)
The reason that priests are first mentioned in the division of God's holy land is because they occupy the largest proportion in God's temple. In particular, in this part, only the priests of the Zadok family were allowed to own the land because they themselves performed their duties well. This fact shows that the standard of distribution of land is based on the faith of each tribe in Israel's history.
(2) Restrictions on rights in the land of Levi (13-14)
Unlike the land of the priests, there are strict restrictions on the land of the Levites. In other words, the Levites could not claim any rights to their land or the fruits of that land. This limitation of rights emphasizes that the Levites live in the land, but only God owns the land. As such, all possessions of the saints are entrusted by God, and they must lead a stewardship.
⑶ The role of land in the city (15-20)
The central role of the land of the city is to be used as a space for the people to sustain their lives. This shows that this land is a holy land offered to God, but at the same time it is also a place of living that makes a normal life possible for the people. This fact shows that God is interested in the whole person, including spirit and body.
3. The land distribution of the five tribes and the entrance to the city (23-35)
① Record of the land distribution of the five tribes (23-29) ② Description of the entrance to the city (30-35)
This paragraph describes the land distribution of the remaining five tribes and the entrance to the city. In particular, this section concludes the content of the whole, with the distribution of the land and the eternal dwelling of Jehovah in the temple. The central lesson of this paragraph is
(1) The culmination of God's work of redemption is the complete restoration of God's community (23-29).
To the Israelites who were in the Babylonian captivity, Ezekiel's vision gave them hope that they would soon end their captivity and return to Canaan. From this point of view, God's work of salvation primarily means the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of the city. And ultimately, it means the final completion of God's work of redemption.
(2) The ultimate concern of God's redemptive work is his eternal presence among the people (30-35).
The expression ‘Jehovah Shammah’ in the last verse of this paragraph is also the final conclusion of the entire book. It is also the final conclusion of the rebuilding of the temple and the distribution of the land. In other words, the ultimate goal of the history of redemption is for God to dwell among the people forever and to share a full and vital fellowship.