We have moved rather quickly through the remarkable book of Ezekiel with its visions and messages from God. Overall its message is based on the sovereignty of God Almighty. He took the people of Judah into Babylon and He would take them out again and back to their land when He is ready and when they are ready. His timing is always perfect. Today's reading brings us a vision of a river which symbolizes the grace and love of God. The last nine chapters of this book deal with a picture of God among His people, dwelling in a magnificent temple in the land that God had promised Abraham His people should possess. Earlier in this book the glory of the Lord had departed. Now we see that it has returned. Many believe these visions will be literally fulfilled, but whatever the interpretation is, this river in our reading today is a heart warming picture of the grace of God. Some see it as an analogy with the water to the ankles speaking of possession, the water to the knees speaking of prayer, and finally so deep that it covers the person completely. The river certainly expands as it flows, as our experience of the grace of God should expand as we grow. Wherever this river flows it brings life. In the vision it flows into the Dead Sea, a place where nothing can live, and turns it into a beautiful lake filled with fish and with trees on either side. God's Word often uses the picture of a river which brings life. In Psalm 46, the writer describes a river which "makes glad the city of God". In the last chapter of Revelation, again a river is seen giving a glimpse of perfection such as we have never known. It is called the river of life and flows from the throne of God. What comes from the throne of God for His children? All of His inexhaustible grace, all of His boundless love, all of His goodness and kindness. Ezekiel saw it coming from the temple, the place where God dwelt. We know it today coming to us in the person and from the work of Jesus Christ. It will take Eternity to thank Him for all of this. |
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