In The Word
Read Ezekiel 47:1-12
Water from the Temple
Then he brought me back to the door of the house; and behold, water was flowing from under the threshold of the house toward the east, for the house faced east. And the water was flowing down from under, from the right side of the house, from south of the altar. He brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate by way of the gate that faces east. And behold, water was trickling from the south side.
When the man went out toward the east with a line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he led me through the water, water reaching the ankles.Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reachingthe knees. Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, waterreaching the loins. Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford, for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded. He said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me back to the bank of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river there were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then he said to me, “These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah; then they go toward the sea, being made to flow into the sea, and the waters of the sea become fresh. It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. And it will come about thatfishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place for the spreading of nets. Their fish will be according to their kinds, like the fish of the Great Sea, very many. But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”
New American Standard Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation
Walking In The Word
This river that flowed toward the east from the temple is a representation of the life of God flowing out to His people (John 7:38). This is in reference to a future time when all of God’s chosen will be in harmony with His will. God will provide this fresh water of life which, in turn, will produce fruit and healing for His people by nourishing the trees on either side of it. As Ezekiel moved further away from the temple, the waters got deeper and deeper (Ezekiel 47: 4, 5). There will be no limit to God’s blessings on His people during this future time. The waters eventually flowed into the Dead Sea and brought it to life. The Dead Sea is six times saltier than the oceans of the world; the sea’s saltiness is why nothing can live in it. The Word of God is like that river to us. It brings new life into our spirits, souls, and bodies (John 6:63b, 68 and Psalm 103:1-5). Remember, at one time, we were dead in trespasses and sin. The river of life flowed into our lives as the Word of God and created new life in us (Ephesians 2:1-5).
As we grow as Christians, the river (God’s Word) gets deeper and deeper. It eventually gets so deep within us that we are swimming in it; the depths of God’s Word is a good place to be in. We become so immersed in God’s Word that it flows out of us to other people; it begins to produce life all around us. We become like the trees planted by the river (Psalm 1:3).