Title: Let the River Flow
Theme: To show the levels of commitment to our relationship with God.
Text: Ezekiel 47:1 – 12
Introduction
Ezekiel is considered to be part of the writings of the major prophets. Along with Isaiah, Jeremiah and Daniel he contributed much to speaking to Israel as a prophet of God.
This meant that God would convey a message to Ezekiel and then the prophet would in turn give it to the Israelites. Ezekiel is known for his visions: sovereign God on the throne, God’s glory departing the temple, valley of dry bones and the temple.
• He was also called “the strangest of the prophets” because of the frequent use of imagery and symbolism
There are twelve acted parables in Ezekiel:
1) Bound with ropes and struck dumb (3:25)
2) Laid siege works against brick (4:1-3)
3) Lying on brick for 390 days and 40 days (4:4-8)
4) Bread baked on dung (4:9-17)
5) Hair divided into three (5:1-12)
6) Stomping, clapping hands and crying out (6:11)
7) Exiles’ baggage and digging through wall (12:1-16)
8) Eating bread quaking (12:17-20)
9) Groaning in mourning (21:6)
10) Signpost for Nebuchadnezzar (21:20)
11) Death of his wife, and not mourning for her (24:15-27)
12) Two sticks: grace and union (37:15-28)
This morning I want to focus on one such vision. Here in Ezekiel 47 God give him an imagery of the temple. Let us begin with verse 1:
Ezekiel 47:1-12 Then he brought me back to the door of the temple; and there was water, flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east, for the front of the temple faced east; the water was flowing from under the right side of the temple, south of the altar. (2) He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway that faces east; and there was water, running out on the right side. (3) And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. (4) Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist. (5) Again he measured one thousand, and it was a river that I could not cross; for the water was too deep, water in which one must swim, a river that could not be crossed. (6) He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen this?" Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river. (7) When I returned, there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other. (8) Then he said to me: "This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. (9) And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. (10) It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi to En Eglaim; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many. (11) But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt. (12) Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine."
Observations
I. He was “brought back” back to the temple (the temple always represented the presence of God. God would often meet them in the temple).
Today we are the temple. Although we meet together often as we do here today, yet according to 1 Corinthians 3:16 our bodies are the temple.
1 Corthians_3:16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
II. Water was flowing out of the main door (flowing out)
Although he had been here before there was something different about this temple.
The blessings of the Lord always flows from His temple.
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly (heart) will flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38
III. The measuring rod (God has a standard)
This shows me that God is a God of order and purpose.
'For I know the plans that I have for you,' declares the LORD, Jeremiah 29:11
IV. Going Deeper (levels of commitment)
Five Levels of Commitment
Ankle Deep – testing the waters
You can only stay here so long. Eventually it is time to grow. To move and not just stay testing the waters.
Knee Deep – getting in but still in control
Waist Deep – things are getting better
Shoulder Deep – God is leading and in control. Holy Spirit working
Swamp & Stagnant Water – been here for a long time. Water has gotten over here but no fresh water. “Christians are measured by their fruit”
V. Healing Properties of the Water
Healing Waters
(6) He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen this?" (You got to come see this!) Then he brought me and returned me to the bank of the river.
(7) When I returned,(he has already been here before but this time things look different) there, along the bank of the river, were very many trees on one side and the other.
Increase the borders
1 Chronicles 4:9-10 Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." (10) And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.
(8) Then he said to me: "This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. (9) And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.
We are not talking about skimming on the surface
Sounding the depth of Divine things
It is good to be often searching into the things of God, and trying the depth of them, not only to look on the surface of these waters, but to go to the bottom of them as far as we can, to be often digging, often diving, into the mysteries of the kingdom of God, as those who covet to be intimately acquainted with those things. (M. Henry.)
10 And It shall be that fishermen will stand by it from En Gedi (ane geh'-dee “fountain of a kid”) to En Eglaim (ane eg-lah'-yim “fountain of the two calves”); ; they will be places for spreading their nets. Their fish will be of the same kinds as the fish of the Great Sea, exceedingly many.
Casting the nets. The fish were full and the nets were cast. The Lord tells us that the "harvest is white and the labors are few". We must see the harvest, the fish in the great sea. We must offer them healing waters.
Luke 10:2 Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.
Matthew 4:19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
11 But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt.
Why? Because they are stagnate. They have no outlet. The Lord wants to flow through you not just in you.
He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy [35] Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:38-39)
John 4:14 whoever drinks of this water I give will never thirst
In Joel 2:28-29 "And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. (29) And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days.
we know of the prophetic word that was given in reference to the baptism in the Holy Ghost and the day of Pentecost.
In chapter 3 Joel writes
18 And it will come to pass in that day That the mountains shall drip with new wine, The hills shall flow with milk, And all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water; A fountain shall flow from the house of the LORD And water the Valley of Acacias.
(12) Along the bank of the river, on this side and that, will grow all kinds of trees used for food; their leaves will not wither, and their fruit will not fail. They will bear fruit every month, because their water flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for medicine."
Matthew 4:19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
Believers Bible Commentary
D. The Millennial Land (Chaps. 47, 48)
1. The Healing of the Waters (47:1-12)
Ezekiel saw in a vision a river flowing from the door of the temple, past the altar, through the wall south of the east Gate, and down to the Dead Sea. The waters of the sea . . . will be healed, and fish will abound in it. Yates writes:
The water of life is a favorite figure in the Old Testament. Desert areas need water that life may be possible. This stream which Ezekiel sees flowing from the Temple makes its way toward the arid regions of the Arabah. In an ever deepening stream it goes on its way to bring life and health and abundant fruit wherever it goes. It is the one remedy that is needed. Jesus took that figure as a basis for his sermon to the woman at the well. (Cf. also Psa_1:3; Psa_46:4; Joe_3:18; Zec_14:8; Joh_4:7-15; Joh_7:38; Rev_22:1-2.)
This stream (which will be an actual geographical river) is a striking figure of the blessing, widespread yet incomplete (v. 11), that will flow out during the Millennial Reign of Christ. God will dwell in the temple and therefore a stream of blessing, ever increasing, will go forth to other places. Today God does dwell in our bodies (1Co_6:19) and therefore a stream of blessing should be flowing to others around us (Joh_7:37-38). "If a man is filled with the Holy Spirit, and his life touches other lives, something happens for God." What a challenge for us to meet the conditions that will produce a blessing!
The river will bring life wherever it flows—a vivid picture of the life-giving ministry of the Holy Spirit.
Medicine – healing
Psalms 107:19-21 Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. (20) He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. (21) Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!
Promise to the Israelites
Exodus 23:25 So you shall serve the Lord your God, and He will bless your bread and your water. And I will take sickness away from the midst of you.
Psalms 30:2 O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.
Jesus’ Mission
Luke 4:18-19 "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed (appointed, chosen) Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives (MSG “pardon to the prisoners”) And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty (“set free”) those who are oppressed (burdened, battered NLT “will be freed from their oppressors”); (19) To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord."
John 6:35 35 And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
It is God’s preserving river.
Your mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Your righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O LORD, You preserve man and beast. How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, And You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. Psalms 36:5-9
Conclusion
Psalms 1:1 ¶ Blessed is the man Who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, Nor stands in the path of sinners, Nor sits in the seat of the scornful; 2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. 3 He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
In this New Year it is time that we went deeper with the Lord. It is time that we start seeing the harvest and know that if we want to see people healed in their relationship the Lord then we must go deep. This is what the world needs from us. The need life and hope that Christ offers. As we go deep Christ heals those around us.
