Ezekiel 47:1–12

Introduction

Ezekiel 47:1–12: Today’s reading describes Ezekiel’s vision of a life-giving stream flowing from the Temple. The banks of the streams are home to all kinds of trees that will provide food.

Today’s Key Verse: Ezekiel 47:12c GNT

The trees will provide food, and their leaves will be used for healing people.

Read

47 The man led me back to the entrance of the Temple. Water was coming out from under the entrance and flowing east, the direction the Temple faced. It was flowing down from under the south part of the Temple past the south side of the altar. ² The man then took me out of the Temple area by way of the north gate and led me around to the gate that faces east. A small stream of water was flowing out at the south side of the gate. ³ With his measuring rod the man measured 560 yards downstream to the east and told me to wade through the stream there. The water came only to my ankles. ⁴ Then he measured another 560 yards, and the water came up to my knees. Another 560 yards farther down, the water was up to my waist. ⁵ He measured 560 yards more, and there the stream was so deep I could not wade through it. It was too deep to cross except by swimming. ⁶ He said to me, “Mortal man, note all this carefully.”

Then the man took me back to the riverbank, ⁷ and when I got there, I saw that there were very many trees on each bank. ⁸ He said to me, “This water flows through the land to the east and down into the Jordan Valley and to the Dead Sea. When it flows into the Dead Sea, it replaces the salt water of that sea with fresh water. ⁹ Wherever the stream flows, there will be all kinds of animals and fish. The stream will make the water of the Dead Sea fresh, and wherever it flows, it will bring life. ¹⁰ From the Springs of Engedi all the way to the Springs of Eneglaim, there will be fishermen on the shore of the sea, and they will spread out their nets there to dry. There will be as many different kinds of fish there as there are in the Mediterranean Sea. ¹¹ But the water in the marshes and ponds along the shore will not be made fresh. They will remain there as a source of salt. ¹² On each bank of the stream all kinds of trees will grow to provide food. Their leaves will never wither, and they will never stop bearing fruit. They will have fresh fruit every month, because they are watered by the stream that flows from the Temple. The trees will provide food, and their leaves will be used for healing people.”

Reflect

Reread verses 7–12. How do you envision the scene described here? What are your thoughts as you read these verses? You may wish to compare this passage with what is described in Revelation 22:1–2.

Pray

Lord God, you are our true source of life. Guide me each day as I seek to be nurtured by your holy word. May my life be a witness to your steadfast love and care in ways that glorify and honor you. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Psalm 47: God is king over all the world.