Ezekiel 47-48, Daniel 1

Ezekiel 47

The River from the Temple

• Water flows from the temple (south side)
• It increases in depth as you walk through:
  • ankle → knee → waist → deep river
• The river cannot be crossed.

The river flows to the Dead Sea.

• The waters are healed.
• Fish become abundant.
• Trees grow along the banks:
  • fruit every month
  • leaves for healing

 Boundaries of the Land

• God defines the borders of Israel.
• The land is divided among the tribes.
• Foreigners living among Israel are included:

They receive inheritance like native Israelites.

From: https://www.bibliaon.com/en/explanation_of_ezekiel_47_deep_waters_flowing_from_the_temple/

Ezekiel 48

Division of the Land Among Tribes

• The land is divided in horizontal strips.
• Each tribe receives a portion.
• A central section is set apart for:
  • the sanctuary
  • priests and Levites
  • the prince

Gates of the City

• The city has twelve gates.
• Each gate is named after a tribe of Israel.

The final verse: יְהוָה שָׁמָּה (YHWH Shammah)= “The LORD is there.”

From: https://www.thebookwurm.com/eze48an.htm:

However, there are several differences between the Jerusalem of the Millennial Kingdom (which Ezekiel foresaw) and the city of the Eternal Kingdom in the New Heaven and New Earth (which John foresaw, in Revelation ch. 21-22).

Ezekiel ch. 48	Revelation ch. 21
– The city is located upon a high mountain on the earth. (Eze 40:2 in left window)	– The city is descending from heaven, Rev 21:10.
– There is no mention of city walls.	– The city has a great high wall, 144 cubits tall, Rev 21:12,17.
– There is no mention of foundations.	– The city has 12 foundations, named for the apostles, Rev 21:14.
– The city is a square, with equal length and width. v.16	– The city is a cube, with equal length, width, and height, Rev 21:16.
– The city measures 4,500 units per side   (about 1.7 miles, if ‘great cubits’; about 9 miles, if reeds of 6 great cubits).	– The city measures 12,000 furlongs {GK=stadion, about 1/8 mile},   1/8 mile x 12,000 = 1,500 miles in 3 dimensions, Rev 21:16.
– The city has an associated Temple.	– There is no Temple there, Rev 21:22.

From: https://www.thebookwurm.com/eze47an.htm

Daniel 1

Historical setting: Third year of Jehoiakim (~605 BC), beginning of Babylonian exile

• Nebuchadnezzar besieges Jerusalem
• Temple vessels taken and placed in house of Babylonian god
• Daniel is among first exiles (Ezekiel was among second exiles)

“Teach them the literature and language of the Chaldeans…”

• Ashpenaz, King’s chief eunuch had selected youths: without blemish, intelligent, capable
• Goal: Assimilation into Babylonian culture
  • Education
  • Diet (king’s food)
  • Identity (name changes)
• Hebrew → Babylonian names:
  • Daniel (“God is my judge”) → Belteshazzar (“Bel protect the king”)
  • Hananiah (“Yahweh is gracious” / חֲנַנְיָה ḥănanyāh) → Shadrach (“Command of Aku”)
  • Mishael (“Who is like God?” / מִישָׁאֵל mîšāʾēl) → Meshach (“Who is like Aku?”)
  • Azariah (“Yahweh has helped” / עֲזַרְיָה ʿăzaryāh) → Abednego (“Servant of Nego/Nabu”)

“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself…”

• Issue: likely unclean food / food sacrificed to idols

God grants Daniel favor with the chief eunuch

• Daniel proposes a 10-day test:
  • Vegetables and water vs. royal food
• Daniel and friends appear healthier than others
  • They were better in appearance and fatter in flesh…”
• Steward allows them to continue diet

“God gave them learning and skill…”

• Daniel uniquely gifted:
  • Understanding visions and dreams
  • “Ten times better than all the magicians…”

Examined by Nebuchadnezzar. Found superior to all Babylonian wise men

“Daniel was there until the first year of King Cyrus.”

• Spans entire Babylonian exile (~70 years)
• Daniel outlasts kingdoms
• Cyrus the Great marks transition to Persian rule

Application

Ezekiel 47-48 shows a future where everything is ordered, set apart, holy for God. Daniel is currently choosing obedience even through the chaos. Faithfulness on earth paves teh way to our eternal kingdom.