Ezekiel 48

Ezekiel 48:1-35-THE HOLY LAND/CITY/GATES
Although this chapter is similar to Ezekiel 45:1-8, we see how the Prince's DOA sacrifice has made atonement for the new Israel (144,000 exiles survived while the Jewish/Gentile Churches were wiped out). The 144,000 will draw the nations to New Jerusalem. It starts out with the inheritance of the new 12 tribes. There are seven tribes (Leah's children) located to the north of the Temple from verses 1-7. The other five (Rachel's children) are located to the south of the Temple in verses 23-29.  Dan is the farthest from the Holy Portion/Sanctuary possibly due to its past history with idolatry or his mother, Bilhah being a handmaiden for Rachel. Asher is known from the Prophetess, Anna in Luke 2:36-38. His mother was Zilpah, a handmaiden for Leah. Manasseh and Ephraim still functioned as half tribes for Joseph. Reuben is known for having no prophet, priest, or king. This is mostly due to his adultery with his father's handmaidens. Judah and Benjamin are in a place of honor due to their faithfulness to King David during the 10 tribe Apostasy. Therefore, the Holy Portion and the Prince's land is between both their tribes. Naphtali (mother is Bilhah, Rachel's handmaiden) along with Zebulun are known for their contributions in the defeat of Sisera in Judges 4. Simeon is known for his violence and anger towards Joseph and the Shechemites. Levi also contributed to this bloodbath as well. Issachar is known for being peaceful and non-antagonistic. Gad is known for their herders and warriors. His land may be far away since his mother, Zilpah was one of the handmaidens for Leah. The children conceived from handmaidens appear to be the farthest from the Holy Portion/Sanctuary. See Diagram 1.

                                                                DIAGRAM 1


The Zadok priests are near the border of Judah's land, which is mentioned in verses 8-11. The land for the Levites (in hope of their repentance) is in verses 12-14. The geographical landscape of the City has changed in verses 15-20. The City now has an area for farming on both sides. It is viewed as common ground. God now dwells in the City's portion with workers consisting of all 12 tribes. See Diagram 2. 

                                                        DIAGRAM 2


Verses 21-22 is the land that belongs to the Prince in Ezekiel 45:7-8. In verses 30-35, the City's Gates are described to the reader (Ephesians 2:19-20 parallels Revelation 21:14). Notice that the majority of the digits are accompanied by three zeros. These numbers now apply to the symbolic number of 144,000 of New Covenant Israel. Again, we see Ezekiel using imagery from the Book of Joshua in describing a new "Promise Land/Joshua (Jesus)" concept where Gentiles  and Jews reside with one another in peace. See Diagram 3. 


                                                        DIAGRAM 3



Interestingly, when you put all 12 tribe names together, you see a encrypted version of the Gospel. See below.

·         Dan (Gen 30:6)
·         Asher (Gen 30:13)
·         Naphtali (Gen 30:8)
·         Manasseh(Gen 41:51)
·         Ephraim (Gen 41:52)
·         Reuben (Gen 29:32)
·         Judah (Gen 29:35)
·         Benjamin (Gen 35:18)
·         Simeon (Gen 29:33)
·         Issachar (Gen 30:18)
·         Zebulun (Gen 30:20)
·         Gad (Gen 30:11)

Here are the meanings of each of their names altogether
God has judged me and heard my voice. Happy I am for women have called me happy. With many wrestlings I have wrestled and prevailed. For God has made me forget all my hardship and all my father’s house. For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction. Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction, my husband will love me. I will praise the Lord. The son of my right hand, the highly regarded son. Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also. God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband. God has endowed me with a good endowment and now my husband will honor me. Good fortune has come.
This is how the land was supposed to be distributed. It starts out with our judgment, our wrestling, and our forgetting of hardship. We become fruitful in the land of affliction. It’s not until we finally reach the middle of the list where we see Jesus. The next line states “that My husband will love me”, “I will praise the Lord”, “the son of his right hand, the highly regarded son”. And by the end of the list, we see the blessings we have in the Son. Note that while Levites did not receive an inheritance, they are placed in the middle of the tribes (but not exactly in the middle, this will be explained further down) in the description of their allotment. This is interesting because the Levites were related to the priesthood.  Levi’s name means “This time my husband will be attached to me.” Levi attaches the people to God. Levi is listed between Judah and Benjamin. Judah means “I will praise the Lord.” Benjamin means “the son of my right hand, the highly regarded son.” So, it is in the midst of praising the Lord, Jesus Christ, the son of God’s right hand, we are joined to God. As you noticed already, Levi does not fall in the middle of the tribes list. There are not 6 tribes before him or after him. It is actually seven tribes before Levi and five tribes after him. Seven is the number of spiritual perfection/completion. Five is the number of grace. We are joined to the Lord through Christ in righteousness and grace.
Ezekiel 48:30-35 tells us about the Gates of the City. The order of the tribes is different and the names that are used are different. See Diagram 4.
                                                         DIAGRAM 4

  • Reuben
  • Judah
  • Levi (Gen 29:34)
  • Joseph (Gen 30:24)
  • Benjamin
  • Dan
  • Simeon
  • Issachar
  • Zebulun
  • Gad
  • Asher
  • Naphtali
Here is the new arrangement for the gates. This was to emphasize the number 12.
Because the Lord has looked upon my affliction, my husband will love me. I will praise the Lord. This time my husband will be attached to me. God has taken away my reproach. May the Lord add to me another son.The son of my right hand. The highly regard son. God has judged me and heard my voice. Because the Lord has heard that I am hated, he has given me this son also. God has given me my wages because I gave my servant to my husband. God has endowed me with a good endowment and now my husband will honor me. Good fortune has come. Happy am I for women have called me happy. With many wrestlings I have wrestled and prevailed.
When we read this text, we start to see that Jesus is the central focus. In the middle of this paragraph, we focus on the Son. The Lord adds a son. The Son of His right hand, the highly regarded Son. I have been judged by this Son. But, the Son took on my judgment, so I can receive forgiveness from the Father. By the end of the paragraph, we are receiving the benefit of Christ’s work of redemption: A good endowment, good fortune, and joy. One of the biggest changes in this text is that the City removes the names of Manasseh and Ephraim from the list. Manasseh means “God has made me forget all my hardship and my father’s house.” When we enter God’s Holy Country we will forget all of our difficulties and our father’s house, we leave it all behind, just like Abraham in Genesis 12:1. Ephraim means “For God has made me fruitful in the land of affliction.” When we enter God’s Holy City we no longer belong to a land of affliction. Instead of the tribes of Manasseh and Ephraim, we have Levi and Joseph. We are attached to the Lord because of another Son, Jesus. The 144,000 and the dead saints are the Bride of Christ. The only way we can enter through the Holy City is through the gates of 12 tribes, which is through the sacrificial work of Jesus Christ. In the end, the City receives a new name The Lord is There-“Jehovah Shammah” instead of Jerusalem (the City of Peace).  This is the NEW NAME we get in Revelation. We get a NEW PEACE in Christ.

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