Rivers Of Healing – Bitterness & Barrenness

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.)