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Scripture reading – Ezekiel 47; Ezekiel 48
* Please note that words and phrases in brackets are the author’s amplification.
Note from the Author: Today’s Scripture reading wraps up our exploration of The Prophecies of Ezekiel, God’s prophet to the Israelites in Babylon. Thank you for joining me on this journey. I pray that my daily commentary on this prophetic book has been a blessing. Your feedback and encouragement are always appreciated, and I hope you will share Heart of A Shepherd Bible studies with others.
Review
Ezekiel 48 returned to the apportioning of the Promised Land among the Twelve Tribes of Israel in the Millennial Kingdom. The prophet recorded the borders of the land of Israel in Ezekiel 47:15-20. The westernmost boundary was the Mediterranean Sea (Ezekiel 47:15-17, 21). The northern boundary of Israel in the Millennial Kingdom began at the Mediterranean Sea in the west and extended eastward to Damascus (Ezekiel 47:15-17). The eastern boundary of the land was the Jordan River (Ezekiel 47:18). The southern border, located south of the Dead Sea, followed a river westward to the Mediterranean Sea (Ezekiel 48:19).
Instructions for dividing the land among Joseph’s sons are outlined in Ezekiel 47:13-14. Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, were adopted by their grandfather Jacob (also known as Israel; see Genesis 48:5) and became part of the Twelve Tribes of Israel. The tribe of Levi, Jacob’s third son, was chosen by the LORD to serve as priests for Israel (Numbers 3:11-13). During the Millennial Kingdom, the descendants of Ephraim and Manasseh will each be allotted a portion of the land, as described in Ezekiel 47:14.
Ezekiel 48 – The Division of the Land in Messiah’s Kingdom
I often hear the expression “Ten Lost Tribes of Israel,” which refers to the tribes Assyria removed from northern Israel in 722 B.C. and assimilated into the nations of the ancient world. The ten tribes were Reuben, Simeon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Ephraim, and Manasseh.
Though lost to mankind, Ezekiel 48 reminds us that the LORD, faithful to His promise, has not forgotten His people or His covenant with the Twelve Tribes of Israel. He will one day gather His people from the nationsof the world and restore them to their land in His Millennial Kingdom.
Seven Tribes North of the Sacred District (Ezekiel 48:1-7)
Beginning with the tribe of Dan in the north and moving south, the first seven tribes will be assigned their portions (Ezekiel 48:1). South of Dan will be Asher (Ezekiel 48:2), followed by Naphtali (Ezekiel 48:3). Next to Naphtali will be Manasseh (48:4; Genesis 48:5-6, 22), and south of Manasseh will be Ephraim (Ezekiel 48:5). South of Ephraim will be Reuben (Ezekiel 48:6), and next to Reuben will be Judah (Ezekiel 48:7).
The Central Land Dedicated to the LORD (Ezekiel 48:8-22)
The LORD will set aside the central land of Israel for the Temple (Ezekiel 48:8-9) and for the city of Jerusalem. The portion assigned to the Levites will border Judah’s southern border (Ezekiel 48:13). The priests’ portion will lie north of the city but south of the land assigned to the Levites (Ezekiel 48:10-12). South of the priests’ land will be New Jerusalem, described as “a profane place,” meaning common land (Ezekiel 48:15).
The new Jerusalem will be 9 miles square, with houses and “suburbs” (open spaces for pasture) within its borders (Ezekiel 48:15-17). There will also be farmland to provide “food unto them that serve the city” (Ezekiel 48:18). Workers representing the Twelve Tribes of Israel will live in and serve the city (Ezekiel 48:19).
The “prince” of the land, whom we have identified as Jerusalem’s administrator, will be assigned a portion of land to the east and west of the sacred district (Ezekiel 48:21-22).
Four Tribal Lands South of the Central Land (Ezekiel 48:23-28).
Lying south of Jerusalem’s sacred district will be the land of the tribe of Benjamin (Ezekiel 48:23), followed by Simeon (Ezekiel 48:24), Issachar (Ezekiel 48:25), Zebulun (Ezekiel 48:26), and Gad, the southernmost tribe (Ezekiel 48:27-28). Ezekiel 48:29 reminds Israel that the LORD determined the land’s division among the tribes of Israel.
The Gates of Jerusalem (Ezekiel 48:30-35)
The Jerusalem of the Millennial Kingdom will have twelve gates, each bearing the name of one of the Twelve Tribes of Israel (Ezekiel 48:30-34). The city’s circumference will be 35.8 miles, or about 9 miles square (Ezekiel 48:35). Also note that the new Jerusalem will be renamed “Yahweh Shammah,” meaning “The LORD is there” (Ezekiel 48:35b).
Closing thoughts
For some, the boundaries and geographical locations of Jerusalem and Israel in the Millennial Kingdom may seem unimportant, but nothing could be further from the truth. The locations assigned to each tribe were part of a legal transaction between Yahweh and His people. No nation or people today may lay perpetual claim to those lands, for they have been given to the Twelve Tribes as an inheritance.
These final chapters of Ezekiel’s prophecies must have been a great encouragement to the Jews in Babylon and to the other tribes scattered after the Assyrian captivity. They were promised that they would one day receive their inheritance!
There will come a day when the LORD draws the Twelve Tribes of Israel out of the nations and brings them home. That day is yet to come, but the promise of “Emmanuel” (“God with us”) will endure forever, for the glory of the LORD will dwell among His people forever. What a glorious day that will be!
Despite the malice and scorn often directed at Israel, believers must never forget that He who is Mighty watches over Israel!
Psalm 121:4 – Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
Copyright © 2026 – Travis D. Smith
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The post He Who is Mighty Watches Over Israel! (Ezekiel 48) appeared first on “From The Heart of A Shepherd” by Pastor Travis D. Smith.
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