The Healing Waters
August 22, 2020
Commentary
As the vision continues, the prophet sees a stream of water which flows from beneath the south side of the threshold or platform on which the temple is built. The stream of water flows in an easterly direction, south of the altar, and passes under the outside wall of the inner court. The flow of water emerges from beneath the wall, just south of the eastern gate of the outer court. The prophet and his guide now take a walk along the river bank for a little more than a mile. As the water flows away from the temple spring, it gets deeper, but without the aid of joining tributaries; the river is a miraculous stream of water. Retracing his steps along the river bank towards the temple, Ezekiel notices for the first time the trees that flourish beside the river.
This river is similar to the one mentioned in Revelation 22:1,2. It symbolizes life from God and the blessings that flow from His throne. It is a gentle, safe, deep river, expanding as it flows. Leaving the temple’s east side, the waters drop through the rough country east of Jerusalem into the great rift valley through which the Jordan flows. This new river flows into the Dead Sea, the large salt lake more than a thousand feet below sea level, whose briny waters can’t support life. But as the fresh waters of the river flow into it, the Dead Sea becomes the Sea of Life: the salt is transformed to freshness. Fish begin to flourish, and the formerly deserted shores of the sea become populated by the fishermen who move there to seek a living from its waters. Providing fruit for food and leaves that have medicinal value. And so we perceive from the prophet’s vision how important it is, in any restoration, to get to the heart of the matter. Only with God’s presence firmly re-established in the center, of the temple, could there be new life and restoration. And what was true for Israel is true for the Church. When God’s presence is firmly established at the center, the blessing of that presence flows out to transform the wilderness with life-giving waters.
Application
It was only after God’s presence was firmly established in the temple that the river of life began to flow. As God’s presence is evident in my life His blessings should produce fruit along the way.
Ezekiel 47:1– 12 (NET)
1 Then he brought me back to the entrance of the temple. I noticed that water was flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from under the right side of the temple, from south of the altar. 2 He led me out by way of the north gate and brought me around the outside of the outer gate that faces toward the east; I noticed that the water was trickling out from the south side.
3 When the man went out toward the east with a measuring line in his hand, he measured 1,750 feet, and then he led me through water, which was ankle deep. 4 Again he measured 1,750 feet and led me through the water, which was now knee deep. Once more he measured 1,750 feet and led me through the water, which was waist deep. 5 Again he measured 1,750 feet, and it was a river I could not cross, for the water had risen; it was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be crossed. 6 He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?”
7 When I had returned, I noticed a vast number of trees on the banks of the river, on both sides. 8 He said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region and flow down into the rift valley; when they enter the Dead Sea, where the sea is stagnant, the waters become fresh. 9 Every living creature that swarms where the river flows will live; there will be many fish, for these waters flow there. It will become fresh, and everything will live where the river flows. 10 Fishermen will stand beside it; from En Gedi to En Eglaim they will spread nets. They will catch many kinds of fish, like the fish of the Great Sea. 11 But its swamps and its marshes will not become fresh; they will remain salty. 12 On both sides of the river’s banks, every kind of tree will grow for food. Their leaves will not wither nor will their fruit fail, but they will bear fruit every month, because their water source flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”
Illustration: Charlie Brown Life is Like a Deck Chair
In one of Charles Schulz’s famous “Peanuts” cartoons, Lucy is philosophizing and Charlie is listening. Charlie Brown,” she begins, “life is a lot like a deck chair. Some place it to see where they’ve been. And some so they can see where they are at the present.” Charlie sighs, I can’t even get mine unfolded.” (Michael Green, Illustrations for Biblical Preaching).