Water of Life
As we continue through this chapter, we hit another section that
will cause us to pause and consider how we should take these verses. Ezekiel tells us about a stream that will
flow out of the temple and through the land.
Obviously, if taken literally we have an issue. This water has never flowed. The regions of Engedi and Eneglaim (on the
coast of the Dead Sea) have remained salt water and never turned to fresh
water. The trees in the region continue
to produce a harvest in cycles rather than all year round as Ezekiel
predicts. Thus, I find it difficult to
take this passage literally.
Symbolically, however, this passage can make much sense. The water flowing out of the temple can be a
clear image of true life coming from God to the people. After all, does not Jesus Himself even speak
of living water to the woman at the well in John 4? As the water leaves the temple, it becomes
more and more deep. This is symbolic of
the plentiful nature of God to be able to refresh all who come to Him seeking
life.
Symbolically speaking, there is a neat understanding happening
when the waters near Engedi and Eneglaim turn to fresh water. Of course, we know that the Dead Sea is the
saltiest sea in the world on a consistent basis. {Some
lakes report higher salinity seasonally.}
The salinity level of the Dead Sea is roughly 33.7%, over 8 times
saltier than the ocean. The reason it is
called the Dead Sea is because life is incredibly difficult in this harsh
environment.
Yet, when the Lord God comes to the land, even the places where
life is next to impossible will teem with life.
Symbolically, Ezekiel is saying that with the Lord, life
flourishes. With the Lord, harsh
environments become palatable.
However, if I may be allowed some theological license, I would
love to think the symbolism goes even more deeply here. When Jesus came, He took fisherman and made
them fishers-for-men (disciple-makers).
We are told that fishermen will stand at the banks of the Dead Sea and
spread their nets. Although I realize
that I am out on a theological limb here, I find it a neat idea to think that
if Ezekiel is speaking symbolically then he could very well be envisioning the
living water that is to come through Christ and all of the fishers-for-men who
will be discipled by Him and His disciples.
We are also told that upon the banks of the river are trees. The leaves of these trees are for the healing
of the nations. The fruit comes year
round. Symbolically, we know that the
fig tree represents Israel. It could be
that Ezekiel is seeing here how as the Word of God pours out in a new way from
the temple that not only the Hebrew people (fig tree) but other people groups
(other fruit trees) will be a part of God’s plan for healing the nations. Their message of a call to repentance (fruit)
will not fail. They will be able to
fruit all year because they are fed by the living water that flows from the
temple.
Of course, I realize that I am simply giving one possible
interpretation of this passage. But
given all that we have studied in the past few days, it seems to me that a
symbolic interpretation is warranted. I
think it is reasonable to see the preparations for the coming of Christ and the
living water of life that comes through Him as the fulfillment of this passage.
Boundary of the Land
I honestly don’t find too much inspiring about the boundaries of
the land. However, I did find something
inspiring as we get to the very end of this chapter. God is quick to make sure that Ezekiel understands
that sojourners are welcome. Anyone who
comes into the land in order to be in a relationship with God shall be welcome
among the Hebrew people. God even says
that their inheritance should be allotted accordingly. They shall be as though they are full-blood
children of Abraham.
I think this is a really cool part of scripture. If my earlier hypothesis is correct and these
last chapters of Ezekiel speak symbolically to the spiritual preparations made among
the people for the coming of Christ, then it is entirely possible to read these
passages as preparing the people for the Gentiles. I think that’s a downright awesome
possibility to consider.
We know from Peter’s vision in Acts 10 that it is God’s plan to
include the Gentiles. We know that God’s
plan all along was to provide salvation for all those in the world that would
receive it. Here in this chapter in
Ezekiel we hear God preparing the Hebrew people for sojourners to come among
them. God prepares the Hebrew people to
be ready to accept those who have no bloodline connection to Abraham.
God tells Ezekiel that their inheritance should be included among
the Hebrew people. They aren’t
different. They aren’t special. These sojourners are full card-carrying
members of God’s family. They aren’t
second class citizens. They aren’t some
sort of servant class among the true-bloods.
They are full heirs.
Amen. I like that
understanding.
Sojourner among God’s people.
Gentile.
Full Heir.
Praise be to God.
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