Read Ezekiel 47:1-12
Remember the east gate contains the presence of God. That means the water Ezekiel sees is flowing from God himself. As such, that is some pretty holy water that becomes a rushing river. What a miracle!
This water begins as a shallow stream becoming deeper every 1000 cubits (1,750 feet). The significance of what was being revealed to Ezekiel about this deepening is unclear to me. Perhaps the meaning was hidden to Ezekiel as well. Then the man asked Ezekiel, “Have you been watching, son of man?” Suddenly, Ezekiel notices the trees growing alongside this waterway.
These words from Ezekiel’s vision really struck a chord with me. “The waters of this stream will make the salty waters of the Dead Sea fresh and pure.” What a miracle that would be. The Jordan River has been flowing into the Dead Sea for centuries and maybe longer. Yet, the water remains as dead and lifeless as ever. The vision of God’s presence in this flowing stream bringing life to what is dead is powerful, isn’t it?
What a miracle to behold to see the Dead Sea transformed. If God’s love and presence can affect that kind of change, imagine what his power can do to our own lives. Just sit with that for a moment. 2 Peter 1:3 says, “ By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.”
When we read Ezekiel chapter 31, I mentioned how the logo of our church, Ezekiel Lutheran, incorporated a tree. My husband tells me it was, in fact, this text that had inspired the logo’s creation. When I read this vision, it is even more beautiful seeing how God can grow “swarms of living things wherever the water of this river flows.” Imagine how the roots of those trees tapped into the living water below the surface.
We can tap into the living water God offers, too. Jesus spoke of it to the woman at the well when he declared those who drink the living water he offers will never thirst again. Jesus says in John 4:14, “ But those who drink the water I give will never be thirsty again. It becomes a fresh, bubbling spring within them, giving them eternal life.” How fitting then, are Ezekiel’s words from his vision of this flowing water from God’s presence. “Life will flourish wherever this water flows.”
Let’s jump to Revelation 22:1-2 to see another beautiful picture of the promise of God’s living water. There, the angel showed John “a river with the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal the nations.”
Oh, the beautiful miracles of God’s love. These verses bring hope. Life can spring from our darkest moments. God will heal our nations someday. We can trust in the power of God. If that’s not helpful today, Exodus 14:14 says, “The Lord himself will fight for you. Just stay calm.”
Let’s pray. LORD, when I feel weak, you make me strong. Help me to trust you for all provisions in my life with the assurance of the living water flowing from your presence. Such a beautiful passage of hope. It is by your power that my salvation is sure. Thank you for speaking to my heart. May my ears be open to listen and receive. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
