Day 1 - Lord's Day - Sunday | Daily Devotions | The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2025-2026 |

 November 30

Lesson 13 (KJV)

Ezekiel’s Vision

Devotional Reading: Revelation 7:9–17

Background Scripture: Ezekiel 47:1–12

Ezekiel 47:1–9, 12

1 Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar.

2 Then brought he me out of the way of the gate northward, and led me about the way without unto the utter gate by the way that looketh eastward; and, behold, there ran out waters on the right side.

3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ancles.

4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.

5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

6 And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river.

7 Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.

8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.

9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.

Key Text

By the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.—Ezekiel 47:12

Judah, from Isaiah to the Exile

Unit 3: Ezekiel and the Exile of Judah

Lessons 10–13

Lesson Aims

After participating in this lesson, each learner will be able to:

1. List some key features of Ezekiel’s vision.

2. Explain the nature of prophecy, whose fulfillment can arrive in unexpected or surprising ways.

3. Identify one image of the vision that he or she finds most encouraging and explain why it gives hope.

Lesson Outline

Introduction

A. Mirage or Hope?

B. Lesson Context

I. Guiding (Ezekiel 47:1–2)

A. East and South (v. 1)

Speaking Compass

B. North and East (v. 2)

II. Wading (Ezekiel 47:3–5)

A. First Thousand Cubits (v. 3)

B. Second Thousand Cubits (v. 4a)

C. Third Thousand Cubits (v. 4b)

D. Fourth Thousand Cubits (v. 5)

III. Learning (Ezekiel 47:6–9, 12)

A. Numerous Trees (vv. 6–7)

The Blackberry Bush That Could

B. Flourishing Fish (vv. 8–9)

C. Productive Trees (v. 12)

Conclusion

A. Hope for Abundant Life

B. Hope for Eternal Life

C. Prayer

D. Thought to Remember

How to Say It

Assyrian	Uh-sear-e-un.
Babylonian	Bab-ih-low-nee-un.
Deuteronomy	Due-ter-ahn-uh-me.
Ezekiel	Ee-zeek-ee-ul or Ee-zeek-yul.
Jerusalem	Juh-roo-suh-lem.
Mediterranean	Med-uh-tuh-ray-nee-un.
Tabernacles	Tah-burr-nah-kulz.

Introduction

A. Mirage or Hope?

A character in a movie is alone in a hot and arid place. He is parched with thirst and nearing heat exhaustion from the blazing sun. Suddenly, he sees a glimmering pool near a tree. Water and shade! The character experiences a surge of hope. But hopes are dashed when he eventually realizes that he has been fooled by a shimmering illusion. What seemed to support life turned out to be only a mirage.

The presence of water is a sign of life. This inescapable fact invites powerful comparisons and imagery in the Bible (examples: Jeremiah 2:13; John 7:37–39). Today’s lesson offers one of the most powerful of those.

B. Lesson Context

Most of the contextual information in the previous lessons from Ezekiel still applies and need not be repeated here. What’s changed about the context is a shift from addressing the Judahites’s then-present situation in Babylon to a vision of the future. All of Ezekiel 40–48, about 20 percent of the entire book, relates this vision. Understanding the meaning and significance of the vision is crucial to appreciate this great book fully. The imagery of the “water of life” river and its surroundings has parallels elsewhere in the Bible. Revelation 22, in particular, offers several points for fruitful comparison.

The vision is meant to encourage God’s people. The exile had decimated their homeland. Their capital had been razed. Their temple was destroyed. The exiles now lived in a strange land under a foreign power. While the prophets had predicted a return (Jeremiah 29:10–14), many feared they would never see Judah again. Ezekiel’s visions offer these exiles reason to hope. The visions concern a new city and a transformed homeland. The glory of this new Jerusalem and Judah will be greater than what was lost.

The vision opens in Ezekiel 40:1 with a record of the date. By comparison with various texts and calendars, that date would likely be around 573 BC. As the reader moves through the text from 40:1, Ezekiel is seen to receive details concerning a restored city and temple. These prophetic images include particulars regarding the officials to serve in the new temple, allotment of land, and instructions regarding offering procedures for Passover and other special days. Then we arrive at chapter 47.

 Mark Hamilton, Becki Rogers, and Mark A. Taylor, Editorial, “Ezekiel’s Vision,” in The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2025–2026, ed. Taylor Z. Stamps et al., vol. 73, The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary (Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2025), 106–107.

I. Guiding

(Ezekiel 47:1–2)

A. East and South (v. 1)

B. North and East (v. 2)

What Do You Think? How can water, in its various contexts, illustrate the character or actions of God? Digging Deeper How do Psalms 23:1–2; 24:1–2; Isaiah 43:20; 48:18; and John 7:37–39 inform your response?

II. Wading

(Ezekiel 47:3–5)

A. First Thousand Cubits (v. 3)

 B. Second Thousand Cubits (v. 4a)

C. Third Thousand Cubits (v. 4b)

 D. Fourth Thousand Cubits (v. 5)

III. Learning

(Ezekiel 47:6–9, 12)

A. Numerous Trees (vv. 6–7)

B. Flourishing Fish (vv. 8–9)

What Do You Think? In addition to salty water, what other images—biblical and otherwise—strike you as illustrations of one’s spiritual deadness before coming to Christ? Why? Digging Deeper What images strike you as illustrations of one’s spiritual life in Christ?

C. Productive Trees (v. 12)

Conclusion

A. Hope for Abundant Life

The most significant word picture in today’s passage is that of water. The Old Testament uses water imagery to convey the message that God’s “water of life” is never stagnant but always available, active, and life-giving (Psalms 1:3; 36:8; 84:5–6; Isaiah 12:3; 41:18; 43:19; 66:12; Jeremiah 31:9). Jesus used the imagery of water on various occasions to depict the abundant life He came to bring. When He attended the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, He declared, “If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37–38; compare 4:10, 14).

Jesus was not quoting a single, particular Old Testament passage, but the general message derived from several passages, including our text for today. Interestingly, the climax of the Feast of Tabernacles featured the pouring out of water as part of the symbolism. It was in such a setting—perhaps during the pouring-out ceremony itself—that Jesus made His promise of living water.

One observer noted that the water-pouring ceremony at this feast in Jesus’ day was interpreted in various Jewish traditions as a symbolic anticipation of the outpouring of the Spirit in fulfillment of various Scriptures, including Ezekiel 47:1–9. The Gospel of John says that Jesus used “living water” to refer to the Spirit (John 7:39). This means that we can now enjoy the benefits of the spiritual refreshment from the Holy Spirit.

What Do You Think? How will you be a source of “rivers of living water” (John 7:38) in the upcoming week? Digging Deeper How will you be attentive to the Holy Spirit’s leading in this regard?

B. Hope for Eternal Life

We see Ezekiel’s vision reaching its clearest and ultimate expression in Revelation 22. There the apostle John saw a certain river as the source of life. Trees on either side of John’s river were fruitful, just like Ezekiel’s. And the leaves of the trees that John saw were a source of healing, again just like Ezekiel’s. Such parallels indicate how Ezekiel’s great vision should be understood. It does not appear that the temple layout shown to that prophet was ever intended to be followed by the exiles who returned or by any other group of God’s people. Since the vision portrays something unique and miraculous, we must allow God Himself to declare how its fulfillment is to be understood. That is what the New Testament does for us. It points to a fulfillment initiated by Jesus’ first coming and climaxed by His second coming. At Jesus’ return, His holy city will become inhabited for eternity by His people. It is a city built by God Himself (Hebrews 11:10).

What Do You Think? How does today’s text encourage you regarding the hope for eternal life? Digging Deeper In what ways will you worship God as a response to that hope?

C. Prayer

O God, we see a world both broken and beautiful. Help us to see Your new world, not only in time and space but also in human souls deeply connected to You, our Creator. Help us find ways to live in that world dawning because of Your Son. Amen.

D. Thought to Remember

Our current situation isn’t permanent.

Involvement Learning

Enhance your lesson with KJV Bible Student (from your curriculum supplier) and the reproducible activity page (at www.standardlesson.com or in the back of the KJV Standard Lesson Commentary Deluxe Edition).

 Mark Hamilton, Becki Rogers, and Mark A. Taylor, Editorial, “Ezekiel’s Vision,” in The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary, 2025–2026, ed. Taylor Z. Stamps et al., vol. 73, The KJV Standard Lesson Commentary (Colorado Springs, CO: Standard Publishing, 2025), 111–112.