Title: Rivers of Healing – Bitterness & Barrenness
Theme: To show how the rivers of the Lord that from the throne bring healing from Bitterness and Barrenness.
Text: Ezekiel 47:1-12; John 7:37 - 38
(Ezekiel 47:1) 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.
Notes from: Awake My Soul by J Sudlow Baxter.
Introduction
"WHATEVER these waters (Ezek. 47: 1–12) may refer to, either in the historical past or in the prophetical future, one thing is certain: in a latent sense they are a remarkable parable of spiritual possibilities in the Christian life. Again and again in the Holy Scriptures water is used as an emblem of the Holy Spirit (Isaiah 44, John 7, John 4, 1 Corinthians 12:13, Acts 2), ; so these waters in Ezekiel 47 may well speak to us of His gracious out-flowing toward the Lord’s people. " - J Sudlow Baxter
I want us to notice a few things about this water.
I. Notice the Source
Ezekiel 47:1 “flowing from under the threshold of the temple”
Unlike many of the ancient cities Jerusalem had no natural river. So if the water was to flow it had to come from God Himself. If there was going to be life it had to come from God Himself.
Revelation gives a similar prophecy. The river in the new Jerusalem will flow “the throne of God and of the Lamb” (Rev. 22: 1)
Then Jesus puts it all together with John 7
(Joh 7:37) On the last day, that great day of the feast,
What feast? Feast of the Tabernacles
For seven days the priest would bring a picture of water and pour it out as a sacrifice to the Lord. This was a sacrifice and praise unto the Lord for His fruitfulness.
Then on the eighth day they would again go to the well to draw but this time they would leave the picture empty. As they arrive again at the temple they would symbolize pouring out water but the picture was empty.
It was at this the people would cry out, “Send now property”.
This where John 7 comes in.
Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."
Then John goes on to explain to us what Jesus meant.
(Joh 7:39) But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
So He was standing before the Jews who was begging for property and life and proclaiming that if they trusted in Him God would give them “living water” John 4. This water would satisfy the soul.
This water would flow out of the person and touch others lives. When you are Spirit filled it will pour out on others.
II. Notice the Course of the Water
(Eze 47:8) 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.
So this is a powerful force. It would flow out of the throne of God and into the wilderness and into the sea. The sea is the Salt or Dead Sea. The wilderness is the “wilderness of Judea”. Notice three things this water did.
A. Healed the Bareness
The waters were barren and empty because of the condition. There was no life. There was no hope. When the river came then came new life and hope.
The Holy Spirit brings new life and hope. The Holy Spirit revives us. In our life of emptiness there is new hope and refreshing.
B. Healed the Bitterness
If you were to drink this water you would recognize the bitter taste. Bitter water is terrible. You can ask my wife. We picked up some bitter water. It was almost impossible to drink. (Some people get used to it but there was not desire in us.)
The Holy Spirit will cure the bitterness in our life. The lost hope that has been taken. The breaks that we feel like we did get but others did. Bitterness is a real thing.
Hebrews 12:14-15 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: (15) looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
When I read this I was so excited to know that the Holy Spirit can remove the bitterness in ones life.
You can tell you have bitterness when you get a bitter taste in your mouth or heart when you hear that persons name.
C. Brought Productivity
There was new life. There was growth. There was multiplication. There was a life changing.
Notice in (Eze 47:12) 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."
This river must flow
(Eze 47:11) But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt.
This water is designed to flow. Not to stop. If it stops then it will grow stagnant.
III. The Force of the River
(Eze 47:3) 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.
This river goest from a trickle to over seven foot deep in over a mile. This was forcefull river. Ezekiel was only told to measure from the outside but he was told to get in. Each step drew him deeper and deeper until he could only swim.
From a control only standing. To wobbly knees. To a waste the felt the force. Then over his head. He cold not cross. He had to swim.
What a powerful force. This is the expectation of the Holy Spirit. Not just a touch but a Spirit filled life. In the book of Acts they use the term Baptism in the Holy Spirit. As being filled all the way up. When a person is baptized they go all the way under.
Conclusion
I believe that being a spirit filled Christian is a simple process. It is not begging or pleading but surrendering to God river. Allowing God to bring healing a productivity.
Opening up our hearts so the river can flow.
