November 10th | Ezekiel 47

I do not have a green thumb. I desperately want to be a gardener, but I cannot figure out how to make things grow. I either kill my plants because I don’t water or fertilize them enough. Or I do not protect them, and deer come to eat all my plants. I have tried for several years now, and I have come to this conclusion: Everything I touch dies. 

In my garden, I am indeed the grim reaper for my plants. But have you ever thought that problems in life seem to follow you? Things may not go your way in life, such as the loss of a job, a change in circumstances, or a car breakdown. Or relationships deteriorate, problems arise, and it seems that spiritually and emotionally, you just can’t seem to grow? Things go wrong in life and in our world because of sin. Sin brings death and brokenness to our lives, and this is the reality of a people who live in a fallen world. 

Israel knew the devastating consequences of their sin. Ezekiel preached to Israel that they had been exiled because of their sin. Their sin had separated them from the temple of God and His presence. However, in chapter 39, we are presented with a vision of the future in which Israel is restored, and in chapters 40-46, we see a temple that represents God’s presence among a restored Israel. 

In chapter 47, Ezekiel leaves the grand temple and sees a small stream of water trickling out of it.

Ezekiel 47:3-5, “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. 4 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. 5 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.”

This small stream became a mighty river flowing out of the temple and into the barren land. The temple represented God’s presence and power, and it was flowing out to bring healing to a land and people who desperately needed it. 

Ezekiel 47:9, “9 And wherever the river goes, every living creature that swarms will live,” 

We, who are devastated by sin, destroy everything we touch. However, here we see a significant reversal. God, who is holy and perfect, gives life to everything He touches! God promised to send His presence, and it came through His son Jesus. Christ came to bring life to us who were thirsty and dying in a sin-sick world. As Christ touched the sick and brought healing, Jesus can touch your sin-sick heart and bring healing today. Wherever the river flows, there is life. 

Turn to Jesus today and experience the new life you can have in Christ. A small prayer or time reading God’s word can seem like a trickle at first. But as you continue to seek Him, it becomes a mighty river of life rushing through you. Jesus can change your life and make you new. Would you step into the river of life today and be healed by Jesus?