Reading for April 8th

The reestablishment of the land and the people of Israel. In 47.13-48.35: The reconstruction of the Temple and the resulting renewal of creation provide the basis for the reestablishment of the land and people of Israel. Read Ezekiel 47.13-23 The boudaries of the land are an idealized portrayal of the greatest extent of David's kingdom and that of Jeroboam II (2 Sam 8.5-12; 2 Kings 14.25; compare Num 34). The northern border runs from the Mediterranean east to Hazar-enon, between Hamath (modern Hama) to the north and Damascus to the south (Num 34.7-9); the eastern border runs south through the Jordan valley to Tamar just south of the Dead Sea (Num 34.10-12); the sotuhern border runs through the Negeb to the Wadi of Egypt (modern Wadi el-Arish in the northeastern Sinai peninsula (see Num 34.3-5); the western border runs along the Mediterranean coast (Num 34.6). The aliens who reside among you (Hebrew "gerim" or "sojourners," later considered converts in post-biblical Hebrew) live according to the same laws as israelies (Lev 19.34; Num 15.29). Comments or Question..