Last week, in Lessons from Ezekiel’s Temple, Part 13A, we discovered that the trickle of water emerging from Ezekiel’s temple is a symbol of God’s Spirit pouring through us. It then merges with that which pours through other Christians to become a raging torrent that flows out to touch the world! Our part of this process is to be a willing vessel!
Today’s lesson takes a look at how this water can make salt water fresh:
“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. 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.'” (Ezek 47:8-10 NKJV)
More than likely, the reference to the “Sea” is the Dead Sea in Israel. The Dead Sea is a large body of water that contains a very high salt content and is known for its lack of ability to support life. Interestingly, the Dead Sea is already fed by a river, the Jordan, which originates in the Sea of Galilee, a body of water teaming with life. But the fresh water contents of the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River have done nothing over the years to bring life to the Dead Sea.
Our text tells us however, that the water flowing from Ezekiel’s Temple will flow to the Sea and “heal” the water. Other versions of the Bible actually state that “this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh” (Ezek 47:9 NIV). Because it is the salt content of the Dead Sea that makes it incapable of supporting life, it makes sense to think that the “healing” of the waters in the Sea refers to the salt waters turning fresh. Then, where fresh water abounds, fish will surely also abound.
So what does this piece of imagery have to do with us today?
Last week we learned that the waters flowing from Ezekiel’s temple represent the Living Water, the Holy Spirit, that flows through each and every one who has given his or her heart to Christ. This healing water given to us by Jesus will bring life to those who are dead to trespasses and sin. In other words, when the life-giving waters of Jesus’ Spirit flow through us, the gospel is shared and life and salvation are the result. The “salt water” of sin becomes the “fresh water” that abounds, bringing everlasting life to those who hear and accept it.
As a result of the “salt water” turned “fresh”, our text tells us that fish will abound: “There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there …” (Ezek 47:9).
When Jesus was here on Earth, He admonished His disciples to go and catch “fish”, that they would be “fishers of men” (See Matt. 4:19). These “fish”, then, represent those who give their hearts to the Lord, and when the “dead waters” of sin are changed into the “living waters” that flow from the throne of God, many people will give their hearts to the Lord as a result!
This isn’t just an automatic thing, however. As we learned last week, all of God’s children need to be willing vessels of God’s Spirit. We need to be united, we need to become “one” in order for the waters of sin, that are as void of life as the Dead Sea, can become “healed” so that thousands can come to the Lord.
It’s up to us, friends! Can we put aside our petty arguments long enough to allow the river of God’s Spirit to heal the world? Can we forget, even for a few minutes, our doctrinal differences and work together? Can we join together as one, despite the color of our skin, the differences in our cultures, the different ways we have been brought up to believe? Can we unite for the healing of the lost in this world?
Think about it!
Enough to ponder, but do ponder this: When we join together as one, the Spirit of the Lord can flow through us as a mighty torrent that will heal the dead world of sin, bringing life to the billions on this planet. But it all starts with each one of us! We must be willing to work together as “one”!
Join us next week for another important lesson from Ezekiel’s temple: Lessons from Ezekiel’s Temple, Part 14: The Trees!
God bless each of you as you seek to draw closer to Him!
In His love, Lyn
Lyn Chaffart, Mother of two teens, Author and Moderator for The Nugget, a tri-weekly internet newsletter, and Scriptural Nuggets, a website devoted to Christian devotionals and inspirational poems, www.scripturalnuggets.org , with Answers2Prayer Ministries, www.Answers2Prayer.org .
(To access the entire “Lessons From Ezekiel’s Temple” mini-series, please click here.)