Join our Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/groups/2183117951984132/?source_id=181918175166472

September 12th

The bible reading today finishes up our reading through the book of Ezekiel...chapters 46-48.

“A River Runs through It”, a film by Robert Redford, about brothers, their father, and a Beautiful River that ran through their lives.

Today’s reading is about a literal, Miraculous River that will “run through Jerusalem” all the way to the Dead Sea bringing healing...even turning a lifeless sea into a living body of freshwater teeming with fish...all of this in the Millennial Kingdom...of Messiah/Jesus’ 1000 yr reign on earth before the new heaven and new earth.

“Then he brought me back to the door of the temple, and behold, water was issuing from below the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar. Then he brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate that faces toward the east; and behold, the water was trickling out on the south side.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭47:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Jesus and Ezekiel were making another turn around the Temple Mount. This time Ezekiel sees something that never existed in the Temple before...” a river flowing from the threshold of the Temple...south of the altar.

Jerusalem was the only great city in ancient times that wasn't located on a river. And water was a significant resource for the life and defense of a fortified city in the east. During the Millennium Kingdom Age, Jerusalem will have a river like no other nation ever has. Talk about A “River” Runs Through It...wow, just a foretaste of glory divine.

Only one thing better...“Blessed assurance “Jesus” is mine...oh what a foretaste of glory devine...heir of salvation...purchase of God, born of the Spirit, washed in his blood...this is my story...this is my song...praising my Savior...all the day long...Thank you, Phoebe Knapp...1869.

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy habitation of the Most High.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭46:4‬

“And in that day the mountains shall drip sweet wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the streambeds of Judah shall flow with water, and a “fountain shall come forth from the house of the Lord” and water the Valley of Shittim.”

‭‭Joel‬ ‭3:18‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“On that day living waters shall flow out from Jerusalem....”

‭‭Zechariah‬ ‭14:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Going on eastward with a measuring line in his hand, the man measured a thousand cubits (1/3 of a mile), and then led me through the water, and it was “ankle-deep”. 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”. 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.”

‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭47:3-5‬ ‭

This river that Ezekiel saw coming out of the Temple, started small, ankle-deep. Did you hear it? As shallow as it was at the start, Jesus led Ezekiel through it. In fact, at every stage, ankle, knee, waist, and over his head, Jesus led him through it.

Some things stand out to me in this part of the Temple vision. *Jesus followed the course of the river and took Ezekiel with him. The “course of the rivers” are in the Father’s hands. To follow the course of the river would speak to Jesus doing the Father’s will.

That’s an awesome picture. But it gets better. Jesus took Ezekiel with him to do the Father’s will also. What a picture for parents and grandparents, for siblings, for friends Staying the course of the river and bringing a loved one along.

Something else stands out to me...*Jesus led Ezekiel to the deep end of the river.

He couldn't touch the bottom with his feet. So Ezekiel would have to sink or swim. Or at least that’s what he probably thought. But the rest of the text tells us that he had another option. Jesus...He would take Ezekiel back to the deep river’s bank.

Wow, Jesus would be everywhere with His chosen ones...at the Great Flood...the Red Sea...the Jordan at flood stage...a wild sea and a drowning prophet...a stormy sea with high winds and Jesus saying, “Peace...Be still”.

One more thing...*The River and Ezekiel had an “all in” relationship. Whatever stage of the river’s rising, Ezekiel was in the river as deep as he could be. Ezekiel was all in. He never hesitated, never turned back. The River of God was for Him, and like Jesus, Ezekiel was going as far as the River would take him.

Father, we too want to go deeper with You than we ever have. And we want to go as far as Your going, Jesus. Good job, Ezekiel. Your courage and faithfulness to your God-given assignment has been inspiring.

Have a great day