Year 2, Week 22, Day 4 Bible Reading Observations

Year 2, Week 22, Day 4

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Ezekiel 47.

Today’s reading continues the final major section of the Book of Ezekiel. Ezekiel 33-48 can be divided into two segments: Ezekiel 33-39 is composed of prophecies about the judgment upon but also the future restoration of Judah, while Ezekiel 40-48 is composed of Ezekiel’s vision about the new temple and new land. Having completed the description and operations of a future Temple, Ezekiel 47 focuses primarily upon a river that flows from beneath the Temple: “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). The river starts as just a small stream, but some becomes knee deep, then waist deep, then a mighty stream that could not be safely crossed: “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. And he said to me, “Son of man, have you seen this?” (Ezekiel 47:5-6a). The river flowing miraculously from the Temple area was shown to be the source of fertility, food, and healing for the people.

One of the things that struck me from today’s reading was how the river that Ezekiel describes as flowing from the Temple area looks back to the garden, but also ahead to the Book of Revelation: “Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. 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” (Ezekiel 47:1-2). Ezekiel describes a very lush, well-watered area as a result of the rivers flowing from the Temple: “As I went back, I saw on the bank of the river very many trees on the one side and on the other. And he said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, and enters the sea; when the water flows into the sea, the water will become fresh. And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live, and there will be very many fish. For this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes. Fishermen will stand beside the sea” (Ezekiel 47:7-10a). As a result of the life-giving water, there is an emphatic description of an abundance of trees as well as ample fish and water creatures.

Ezekiel’s description is reminiscent of Eden: “And the LORD God planted a garden in Eden, in the east, and there he put the man whom he had formed. And out of the ground the LORD God made to spring up every tree that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. A river flowed out of Eden to water the garden, and there it divided and became four rivers” (Genesis 2:8-10). The garden sanctuary in Eden has a river that flows out to all four points of the compass, bringing fruitfulness as it goes. Like all those streams in Eden, Ezekiel’s river also brings life wherever it goes. Ezekiel describes a garden paradise with a supernatural water source. The river is the means by which life comes out of death, as this living water promises abundance of life, supernatural fruitfulness, and sustainability all throughout the land.

Ezekiel’s description is also a rehearsal to the New Jerusalem: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” (Revelation 22:1-2). The notion of a river flowing from Jerusalem had long captured the Psalmist: “There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High” (Psalm 46:4). Ultimately the river of life in Revelation anticipates the new creation in which God will have lifted the curse from the earth for ever and will dwell in life-giving abundance with his redeemed people gathered from all nations.

Perhaps there is one more connection, from Jesus Himself, that kind of ties the language and imagery of Genesis, Ezekiel, and Revelation all together: “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:39). Not wishing to take anything away from the fuller and greater description provided in Revelation, there is an interim realization of God’s presence. The Lord’s presence now dwells in the midst of his people and this is likened as a river flowing from us. Those who believe in Christ become miniature sanctuaries, from which this blessing flows to those around them.

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe