Ezekiel Chapter 47 Vs. 13-14

The boundaries of the land

Ezekiel 47:13-14

“These are the borders”. The picture is that of an enlarged Canaan for all to inhabit. The boundaries are substantially larger than those given to Moses in Numbers 34:1-15.

Israel, promised in God’s covenant with Abraham has specific geographical limits within which Israel will finally occupy tribal areas which differ from the occupation in Joshua’s day. This is the complete fulfillment of the promise of the land in the Abrahamic Covenant.

God promised Abraham (cf. Gen. 13:14-17; 15:17-21) and his descendants the land of Palestine, and that promise has never been rescinded. Israel’s experiencing blessing in the land was conditioned on her obedience (Deut. 28:1-68), but her right to possess the land has never been revoked. When God inaugurates His New Covenant with Israel in the future, she will be restored to her place of blessing in the land (cf. Eze. 36-37). To prepare the people for this new occupation, God defined the boundaries of the country. 

He said, because I swore with uplifted hand (a gesture that often accompanied oath-taking; cf. Exo. 6:8; Neh. 9:15; Psm. 106:26; Eze. 20:5, 20:15, 20:23, 20:42; 36:7; 44:12) to give it to your forefathers, this land will become your inheritance. Suddenly, Ezekiel's thoughts are brought back to the land of Israel. We note in this, that Joseph is to get two portions of land. This is in keeping with the promise of Jacob to Joseph. This is speaking of the Promised Land, which God had sworn to Abraham would be their land forever. This is the Hebrews' inheritance. Israel’s borders during the Millennium will be similar to those promised her during the time of Moses (cf. Num. 34:1-12).