The book of Ezekiel has always been challenging for me to read. Such unusual and heavy prophetic visions are sometimes hard for me to comprehend. Then I got to the parts where Ezekiel is taken into the temple. He witnesses the Spirit of God filling the temple (chapter 43). Then, in chapter 47, he witnesses water beginning to emerge from the temple doors. Some clarity begins to emerge.
This water begins as a trickle and builds and builds and builds until it is a river so wide and fast that it cannot be crossed. This water represents the Holy Spirit and I find a couple of interesting things in these first twelve verses.
First, that there are "dead" places in our lives for which the Spirit has no use.
In contrast, nearby the marshes and swamps, are trees bearing wonderful fruit in every season for nourishment and healing.
Notice how the flow of this water (the Holy Spirit), which emerges from the Sanctuary (the throne of God), builds and builds until it is so deep, so wide and so swift that a man cannot cross to the other side. Read how Ezekiel's vision describes it.
But THERE is precisely where I need to be. "Yes Lord, I have seen this!"
This water begins as a trickle and builds and builds and builds until it is a river so wide and fast that it cannot be crossed. This water represents the Holy Spirit and I find a couple of interesting things in these first twelve verses.
First, that there are "dead" places in our lives for which the Spirit has no use.
But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they are to be left for salt. (Ezekiel 47:11 ESV)The Spirit does not freshen these areas with His life-giving flow. They are "left for salt". I can look back at the past and see the swamps and marshes of my life that I need to leave for salt. Sure, I can learn from these times, and that's a good thing. But re-living them, no. Re-hashing them, no. Relying on them as a blanket of identity, no. To be sure, there is a lot of life in a swamp, but do I want to live in a swamp with the snakes and the alligators? It's time to drain the swamps of the past and entrust those places to the Healer.
In contrast, nearby the marshes and swamps, are trees bearing wonderful fruit in every season for nourishment and healing.
And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither, nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing. (Ezekiel 47:12 ESV)Life-giving and healing from the Spirit is all around us -- if we are in the flow, which brings me to the second revelation.
Notice how the flow of this water (the Holy Spirit), which emerges from the Sanctuary (the throne of God), builds and builds until it is so deep, so wide and so swift that a man cannot cross to the other side. Read how Ezekiel's vision describes it.
Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side. Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits, and then led me through the water, and it was ankle-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was knee-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and led me through the water, and it was waist-deep. Again he measured a thousand, and it was a river that I could not pass through, for the water had risen. It was deep enough to swim in, a river that could not be passed through. "Son of man, have you seen this?" (Ezekiel 47:2-6 ESV)This flow is strong and pervasive. At it's best for me, it is irresistable. My tendency is to want to be in the flow, but only ankle deep, or only knee deep. If I get out into the deep where the water has risen above my head, where my feet won't touch the bottom any more and I begin to be swept away, I am no longer in control, but the Spirit.
But THERE is precisely where I need to be. "Yes Lord, I have seen this!"