Ezekiel

Ezekiel 48: God is there with His people

Begin in prayer

Before hearing the city's final name, let us thank God for His promise to dwell among His people. Ask Him for calm hearts, His nearness to our family and a sight of Christ in the Word we read.

Yahweh of Armies says: “In those days, ten men will take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, they will take hold of the skirt of him who is a Jew, saying, ‘We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’”

Zechariah 8:23

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us the goodness of Your presence and show us Jesus, who brings those He redeems into Your household. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

God appoints the tribal portions, with a holy offering and the sanctuary in the middle of it. Faithful priests descended from Zadok and the Levites have their appointed land, which must not be sold or exchanged. The city has common land and fields supplying food for workers from all Israel's tribes. The prince and the remaining tribes receive their portions, completing the distribution by lot God commands. The city has twelve gates named for Israel's tribes, three on each side. Its final name declares that the LORD is there.

As you read Ezekiel 48, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God is there with His people, and He gives them their inheritance.

The final division places the tribes around an appointed holy portion, giving each its place within God's ordered provision. The sanctuary stands in the middle of the holy offering, making service before God central to life in the land. Zadok's sons receive their priestly portion because they kept His instruction when Israel strayed, carrying the earlier distinction of faithful service forward. The holy land cannot be sold or exchanged, so its appointed use cannot be surrendered for another possession. The city's fields feed workers drawn from all the tribes, giving the common city both shared service and shared provision. Portions for the prince and the remaining tribes complete the distribution God commands them to make by lot. Gates named for Israel's tribes present the city as belonging to the people gathered within this inheritance. Yet its final name defines it through God's presence, answering the loss and departure that earlier chapters described. The book ends with the LORD there, among a people whose place and holy service He Himself has ordered.

How does Ezekiel 48 show us that God is there with His people, and gives them their inheritance?

God places His sanctuary among His people's portions.

Tribal portions surround a holy offering with the sanctuary in its middle (verses 1 to 14). Faithful Zadok's sons receive priestly provision. The holy land must not be sold or exchanged.

God provides for the common city and tribes.

The city's fields feed those who serve it from all the tribes (verses 15 to 29). The prince and remaining tribes receive their portions. God commands the land's division by lot as their inheritance.

God's presence gives the city its name.

The city's gates bear the names of Israel's tribes (verses 30 to 35). Each side has three gates. The final name declares that the LORD is there.

Memorize

the name of the city from that day shall be, Yahweh is there.

Ezekiel 48:35

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what do I value above God's presence? Do I need Jesus to bring me near?

The book's final words name the city, “Yahweh is there”. Tribal portions, holy service and the common city's life belong within a vision crowned by God's presence. The glory that once departed has returned. The Lord's dwelling among His people gives their restored place its deepest good.

Through Jesus, those who believe have access to the Father and become His household and dwelling by the Spirit (Ephesians 2 verses 18 to 22). Jesus died for His people, carrying their sins and bearing the punishment their rebellion deserved. His offering finished their reconciliation, and His blood is enough to bring them near to God. He rose from the grave and lives to keep the welcome His sacrifice secured.

Please turn from sin and put your trust in Jesus. He gives forgiveness to all who come to Him, bringing repentant sinners into peace with the Father. Ask Him for a heart that values His presence above every other gift. Everyone who trusts the risen Savior belongs to the people among whom God dwells.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Jesus died and rose to bring His people into God's household and presence. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His ordered provision and His presence among His people, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

He who overcomes, I will give him these things. I will be his God, and he will be my son.

Revelation 21:7

Father, thank You for providing for Your people and promising to dwell among them. Forgive our love for gifts above the Giver, and help each one repent and believe in Jesus. Please give us hearts that value Your presence and seek the peace Your Son secured through His death and resurrection. Amen.