Ezekiel 37 further informs concerning the future restored temple and emphasizes the reinvigorating nature of the presence of God. Water was observed flowing as a stream from the east from beneath the temple and as it flowed it miraculously got deeper... ankle deep... knee deep... waist deep... and then "now it was a river that I could not cross... because the river had deepened and was deep enough to swim in - a river that no-one could cross". Fruit trees are watered by the banks of the river and the trees produce abundant monthly fruit for food and the leaves bring healing. The river symbolizes all that flows from God's nourishing healing presence. Then God defines the boundaries that would be laid out in the promised land between the 12 tribes of Israel. God includes foreigners in this land distribution for those aliens who had settled in Israel and this was a precursor for the spreading of the Gospel to the gentiles in Christ. So God's presence brings life and healing... and his spirit spreads grace to Israel and all nations!
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