Chapter 47

Ezekiel is shown a little "creek", which starts on the south side of the altar and then flows out the gate facing east.  This water was running out toward the east, though it originated south of the altar.  It "trickles out" of the east gate, on the south side.  So it is small, and it does not block the east gate.  I think this is the outer gate, and it was the inner east gate that was always shut...I think.  It seems that as this little trickle got further and further from the gate, going away, it got deeper and deeper, until it was too deep to cross. 

This river flows into the Dead Sea, and makes the sea fresh, and trees flourish on the banks of the river, and the river itself teems with life.  People will fish from this river and from the sea, and eat the fruit of the trees.  It will be good, and it will heal, because it originates in this Temple.  This prophecy says the Dead Sea will turn to fresh water, but the swamps and such that surround it will remain salty.  It says those fruit trees will bear fruit once a month.  I think this is also in Revelation about heaven.  Here is that verse:

2 through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. [Rev 22:2 ESV]  So in Revelation it is just this one tree, but in Ezekiel it is all the trees along the outside of this river.  Either not the same river, or not the same place along the river.  Does the river running out of the Temple that comes down from heaven run through the New Jerusalem?  And then on to the "new" Dead Sea?  Ezekiel is full of mysteries.

2022 - If it is only Jews who are allowed in Israel during the Millennial, then this food is also exclusively for them.  They will have fish and fruit in huge abundance.  There will be beef and lamb also, since those will be present for sacrifices, and not all will be perfect.  But these trees will not only have fruit, but their leaves will be medicinal, curative.  Perhaps this is why, in the Millennial Kingdom, people will live a very long time, and no children will die in infancy.  This will be true in Israel, but not in  the whole world.  Israel will be a land apart, the envy - including jealousy and hatred - of the whole world.  Perhaps this, too, is part of why the world will revolt against them at the end of the 1000 years.  Maybe this is to show that corrupt and sinful man, even when not stirred up, deceived, and tempted by Satan directly, will always choose the flesh over the spirit.  This is perhaps God's final proof that man belongs in hell, and cannot be made "good" except by God's grace.

Vs 13 begins with partitioning the land for the 12 tribes.  The overall outline of the land given to Israel is laid out.