Main Idea: Nothing is too dead for the Source of living waters.
A Look at the Text:
After the Lord finished speaking to Ezekiel, the bronze-like man resumed the tour that he began with Ezekiel back in chapter 40. With this, Ezekiel was shown streams of living water flowing from God’s temple to the east. Ezekiel was led through the north gate and around the temple walls to see the water issuing out from underneath the temple enclosure (Ezek. 47:2).
Then, the bronze-like man took Ezekiel downriver, measuring as he went. Shockingly, every thousand cubits the water was actually growing deeper from ankle-deep, to knee-deep, to waist-deep, to a river that couldn’t be crossed (Ezek. 47:3-5).
The river flowed down to the Dead Sea and transformed the lifeless water into a place habitable for fish, and Ezekiel saw that everything lived where the river flowed (Ezek. 47:8-9). Even more, beside the river there would be trees with fruit for food and leaves for healing in a formerly desert land (Ezek. 47:12).
Bringing it Home:
The reality of living water so powerfully testifies to the God who is the Source of all blessing, of life, and even of breath itself (Acts 17:25). This water didn’t originate from the Mediterranean but from the Originator of all things.
In Ezekiel’s vision, it was revealed that God’s earthly throne was actually the source of living waters that not only flowed continually but got deeper as they went further along.
This living water was capable of not only basic nourishment, but of great reversal. It brought life where there was formerly death. It brought fruit where the land was formerly barren.
Even the Dead Sea would have to be given a new name as it became a place for life! This is a powerful portrayal of the future similar to the one that John saw of the River of Life (Rev. 22:1).
It’s a picture of hope to those who currently inhabit a broken, sin-stained world. While there may be death, God can bring life. While things are broken, they aren’t broken beyond His repair. While the world is stained by sin, God can wash scarlet stains whiter than snow (Isa. 1:18).
If He is the Source of life itself and of every good thing in it (Jas. 1:17), certainly we can trust Him while this future hope is yet awaited.
Challenge:
Do the differences between the present and the future challenge my faith?