Ezekiel 47: Group Study Handout

How to use: read Ezekiel 47 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

Waters flow from under the threshold of the house in the east, moving south of the altar (vv. 1-2). A man measures the waters as he leads Ezekiel eastward.

Key verse

“It will happen, that every living creature which swarms, in every place where the rivers come, will live. Then there will be a very great multitude of fish; for these waters have come there, and the waters of the sea will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river comes.”
Ezekiel 47:9 (WEB)

Outline

Ezekiel 47:1–2 Water Flows from the Temple
Ezekiel 47:3–5 Measuring the Waters
Ezekiel 47:6–12 Life Along the River
Ezekiel 47:13–23 Land Inheritance and Justice

Discussion questions

In v1, what do the 'waters' flowing out from under the threshold symbolize?
Why does the 'river' become too deep to cross in v5?
The measurement of one thousand cubits in vv. 3-5: what does this indicate about the progression of the river?
The command in v22 about the 'aliens who live among you': what implications does this have for the Israelite community?
When have you experienced a situation that seemed overwhelming, like the 'river' in v5?

Go deeper

Passages that echo Ezekiel 47: Psalm 1, Revelation 22, John 7.

Before next time: read Ezekiel 48.