181 Thrive Deeper: Ezekiel 40-48

Biblical scholars acknowledge that the temple vision, which occupies the last nine chapters of Ezekiel, presents special challenges in its interpretation. Some have even described it as the most difficult passage in the Old Testament. At the time when Ezekiel received this vision, the Israelites were in exile in Babylon, and the Jerusalem temple had been destroyed. The vision offered hope and assurance of a future restoration for the people of Israel. Beyond the meaning in the moment for Ezekiel and the exiles, this paints a vivid picture of a new world where God’s river flowing from the temple, brings life and healing to the land and restores the order of all creation.