|
BACKGROUND
DEFINITION OF TERMS
CONCISE OXFORD DICTIONARY
RIVER: STREAM: WATER: CLEANSE: PURIFY:
BIBLE DICTIONARIES
RIVER: RIVER OF GOD: WATER OF PURIFICATION: WATER OF SEPARATION: CLEAN: PURIFICATION: FRUIT: RIVER: CLEAN AND UNCLEAN: PURITY: FRUIT: FRUITS: WATER OF JEALOUSY: WATER OF PURIFICATION: WATER OF SEPARATION: WATER:
The
full background to this teaching is available online at this link
THE BACKGROUND
|
Online links to scriptures (New International Version [NIV] unless otherwise stated) are shown in blue
| THE RIVER OF PROGRESS - 1
(Flowing from Ezekiel’s Temple)
|
|
 In July of 586BC the Babylonians breached the walls of Jerusalem and on 14 August, the original Temple built by King Solomon, but which had suffered the ravages of time, was finally destroyed.
Solomon's Temple
The Jews had lost their holiest site, the focus of their faith, their monarchy and their city. The dream was ended. The hopes of the nation evaporated as they were deported to far-flung parts of the Babylonian Empire.
Over the 7 years before the exile, Ezekiel prophesied the impending doom of Jerusalem. And he was amongst the group exiled to Babylon. We know he was very happily married while in Jerusalem, but his beloved wife died, a prophetic symbol of what would happen to Jerusalem. In Babylon Ezekiel had a house and led a relatively free life, along with the other exiles.
While in Babylon the Lord confirmed his prophetic ministry, giving him seven judgements upon the surrounding nations along with a word of hope and encouragement for his own people. God revealed that the Jews would be restored with a glorious future as the redeemed and perfected kingdom of God in the world.
As the heart of Jewish spiritual life was the Temple, God gave the people hope by implanting the vision through Ezekiel of an amazing new temple in which the Jews could again worship their God.
Of course, this temple has not yet been built, and there is a lot of speculation as to whether or when it will be, but that is outside the scope of this study. Here we are looking at the River of God that flowed from it, and seeing its spiritual application for us in living our lives in Jesus today.
|
|
|
 Ezekiel’s description of the river follows.
The man brought me back to the entrance of the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. 2 He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was flowing from the south side. 3 As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. 4 He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. 5 He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. 6 He asked me, “Son of man, do you see this?†Then he led me back to the bank of the river. 7 When I arrived there, I saw a great number of trees on each side of the river. 8 He said to me, “This water flows toward the eastern region and goes down into the Arabah, where it enters the Sea. When it empties into the Sea, the water there becomes fresh. 9 Swarms of living creatures will live wherever the river flows. There will be large numbers of fish, because this water flows there and makes the salt water fresh; so where the river flows everything will live. 10 Fishermen will stand along the shore; from En Gedi to En Eglaim there will be places for spreading nets. The fish will be of many kinds—like the fish of the Great Sea. 11 But the swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt. 12 Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.†Ezekiel 47:1-13)
|
|
|
 Ezekiel's vision of the Temple
Amazingly, the river is a description of the pattern of the life we are to lead in order to be restored to the relationship with God that Adam and Eve enjoyed beside the river that watered the Garden of Eden.
Unsurprisingly, it also parallels the other great guide to godly living, the Tabernacle of Moses, the world’s first church and the general foundation upon which the pattern of all the temples is based. I love it when God confirms His Word and principles!
|
| SUMMARY OF INTERPRETATIONS OF THE RIVER |
|
There are a number of interpretations, all containing spiritual truths, relating to the river and Ezekiel’s progress through it. Some of these are:
|
| 2. Symbolism 1 |
|
 ANKLES:.........Walking
KNEES:..........Standing
LOINS:...........Sitting
Ankles
Psalms 1:1
|
| 3. Symbolism 2 |
|
 ANKLES:.........God’s acceptance as children
KNEES:..........Prayer
LOINS:...........Greater intimacy
Knees
|
| 4. Symbolism 3 |
|
 ANKLES:.........Wet
KNEES:..........Wetter
LOINS:...........Saturated
SWIMMING:....Rooted Forever
Loins
|
| 5. Symbolic of Order of Worship |
|
 ANKLES:..........Thanksgiving
Psalms 100:4
|
|
|
 SWIMMING:..........Communion with Him, Lost in His Presence.
2 Corinthians 12:1-4
All these, in different ways, express different understandings that illustrate the unfathomable ‘depth’ (excuse the pun!) of God’s Word.
|
| <i>NEXT WEEK</i>
A REVELATION OF……. THE 3 RIVERS OF GOD continues.
|
|
 We revisit Ezekiel's Temple river, comparing it with the pattern of the Tabernacle of Moses. See you again then!
|
| A NOTE FROM DAVID |
|
 The various interpretations found here all have the same basic theme - moving deeper into God. Putting our life fully in His hands. It is not just for 'special' people, but the call to each one of us, no matter how big or small our ministry and lives may seem to be.
Swimming is a popular recreation in New Zealand. Unfortunately more in the natural than the spiritual! Are we prepared to take the risk, go in over our heads and 'swim for Him'?
Until human habitation of New Zealand from the 13th century onwards, the flightless Moa were the dominant species in the country. Yes, a bird, not an animal, the largest species growing up to 3 metres (10 feet) or more tall! Amazingly, the ladies were 3 times as heavy and half as tall again as their male partners. Wonder who was the boss!
The picture shows and artists representation of this magnificent bird beside a Maori, the original Polynesian settlers of New Zealand. As there were so few animals, these birds supplied the meat for the people of the time and became extinct within 200 years of human settlement.
|
So until next week.......
MAY GOD BLESS YOU AND YOU BLESS GOD!
His servant and yours
Learn more about us at...
www.wwj.org.nz/about.php
|
A DAVID'S DOODLING
26. The stairway to great faith is climbed one step at a time. A single leap courts disaster.
David Tait
|
Check
out the WWJ website for….
More David's Doodlings: www.wwj.org.nz/dd.php
Eagles Fly High! (Pastors, Teachers and Students): http://www.wwj.org.nz/eaglepts.php
God Facts (A mine of information): http://www.wwj.org.nz/gfacts.php
Facts for Fun: http://www.wwj.org.nz/facts.php
Marriage and Family Facts: http://www.wwj.org.nz/maffacts.php
|
a. Fresh water speaks of life and salvation. 
b. Salt water is talking of unbelievers: 
KNEES:...........Praise 
LOINS:..........Adoration – Worship