The end chapters of Ezekiel (40 - 48) are understood in several different ways. There are good points made and questionable points made by each approach to interpreting these verses. It is wise to stay tentative in whatever our own conclusions about the temple and the sacrifices described in these chapters.
However no matter how puzzling we may find this section, there are verses within these chapters that give us an enlarged view of God. Other verses remind us of what God has done and what He will do. One section that does the latter is found in Ezekiel 47. There a river is described that flows from under the Temple of God. In numerous ways it reminds us of the river described in Genesis 2 and the river in Revelation 22.
I note just three things about this marvellous river. It is powerfully life giving. When it flows into the Dead Sea (vs. 8 - 10) it overwhelms death with life! The Sea in which nothing can live becomes abundant with fish and other aquatic life. The river also provides life for trees that line the riverbanks. (vs. 7, 12). The trees are so abundantly sourced with water that they bear fruit, not once or twice a year but monthly! And the leaves of these trees provide healing!
Now it can be argued that this is figurative language not describing a real river and real trees. Or it can be argued that this is an actual physical rive that will appear in the Millennium or when we are ushered into the eternal New Heaven and New Earth including the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.
While scholars and lay people disagree as to how to best interpret this chapter, one thing is clear. In fact it is one thing that runs like a river throughout Scripture. Our God is a life giving, life providing, wonderfully healing God. He has sent us a Saviour who offers Himself to us as "the Life", as the Bread of Life and as our Healer. The River of God is already flowing. (Hmmm, sounds like a worship song!) Only God truly knows whether one day we may be able to wade into an actual, very special river. What we know for sure is that we have in Christ all we need for the present and the future.
However no matter how puzzling we may find this section, there are verses within these chapters that give us an enlarged view of God. Other verses remind us of what God has done and what He will do. One section that does the latter is found in Ezekiel 47. There a river is described that flows from under the Temple of God. In numerous ways it reminds us of the river described in Genesis 2 and the river in Revelation 22.
I note just three things about this marvellous river. It is powerfully life giving. When it flows into the Dead Sea (vs. 8 - 10) it overwhelms death with life! The Sea in which nothing can live becomes abundant with fish and other aquatic life. The river also provides life for trees that line the riverbanks. (vs. 7, 12). The trees are so abundantly sourced with water that they bear fruit, not once or twice a year but monthly! And the leaves of these trees provide healing!
Now it can be argued that this is figurative language not describing a real river and real trees. Or it can be argued that this is an actual physical rive that will appear in the Millennium or when we are ushered into the eternal New Heaven and New Earth including the Holy City, the New Jerusalem.
While scholars and lay people disagree as to how to best interpret this chapter, one thing is clear. In fact it is one thing that runs like a river throughout Scripture. Our God is a life giving, life providing, wonderfully healing God. He has sent us a Saviour who offers Himself to us as "the Life", as the Bread of Life and as our Healer. The River of God is already flowing. (Hmmm, sounds like a worship song!) Only God truly knows whether one day we may be able to wade into an actual, very special river. What we know for sure is that we have in Christ all we need for the present and the future.
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