There are some bodies of water like lakes, rivers and the sea that can be dangerous and you may wish to avoid if you can’t swim or don’t have a life jacket! The Dead Sea is not so easy to drown in due to its high salt content! However, God has a river that he wants you to get into and get wet. This is a river that cannot be crossed. There is no bridge to the other side. It is a millennial vision of a time of healing for the nation of Israel when God’s grace and blessing will flow from God’s throne to refresh the Promised Land. This is yet to be fulfilled but there is application for today. This passage is also about becoming more of what the Lord God wants each of us to be. It’s about leaving the shore of stagnant, disappointed Christianity and wading out into the deep spiritual waters of the born-again life. There are three main aspects of this prophecy that challenge every believer to go deeper in their spiritual life.

1. Ezekiel surveys the river (vs 1-2, 6-12)

The river represents the Holy Spirit. See John 14:16-18. It does this in three ways:-

• Source – It comes from the throne of God. The Holy Spirit also came from the very throne of God.
• Course – It comes from the altar which is the place where sacrifice was made and the Holy Spirit came from the altar of Christ’s sacrifice at the cross. See Matthew 20:28. The Holy Spirit can only come if Jesus dies on the cross. See John 16:7.
• Force – This was no ordinary river it had forces that made it unique. It had no need of feeder streams to make it grow. God does not need the world or anything in it! This extraordinary river could also heal. Salt water will kill if you drink too much. The sea was made pure where the river flowed into it. The Holy Spirit can heal broken hearts, lives and dreams. This river could also revive the dead to life. The Holy Spirit makes the dead become alive. See Ephesians 2:1-4. The river also brought forth fruit and freshness. This is a river of living waters as Jesus promised. See John 7:38-39. The water is fresh, not stale. The fruit of the Holy Spirit brings glory to God. See Galatians 5:22-23.

2. Ezekiel steps into the river (vs 3-4)

It is one thing to see this river but another thing completely to get wet! There are many people who hear the gospel and see what God is doing in the lives of others, but yet it as far as they get. That is not far enough to get saved! For this river to do you any good, you have to get into it. You have to get wet, just like the Ethiopian Eunuch in Acts 8:36-37.

• Ankle deep – This can represent the first step of faith that saves the soul. See Acts 16:31. It is great to be saved but to some people it is the end. They have waded out to their ankles but have refused to go deeper. They are like those who go into the shallow end of the pool but are afraid to go deeper. They are splashing about with many people there as well. They are in absolute total control of their own lives. They stand on their own two feet and the river has little control. God wants them to go deeper so he can develop their faith.
• Knee deep – The knees often speak of prayer. This is a spiritual life that is learning dependence upon the Lord and prayer demonstrates this commitment. Many people never get this deep. It is at this level that you get to experience a little of the power of the river as it rushes past. However, the person is still standing on their own two feet and not supported by the river.
• Waist deep – There is spiritual power as this person has waded further into the river. You can see more of the river than the person. The power of the river can be strongly felt and seen by others. See Ephesians 6:10. This level of maturity is rarely reached but it will deeply affect you. The river sometimes picks this person up and moves them a few feet but they are close enough to reach the shore if they need to. They are still in control. This is deep but you can go deeper!

3. Ezekiel surrenders to the river (vs 5)

This is the place where if you wade in the river that it has control. It is so deep that you are at the mercy of the river. There is no way of crossing over as it is too deep and there is no bridge. This is the highest level of spiritual maturity that a believer can reach in this life. It doesn’t come any deeper than this!

• Beyond your human ability – This person does not have the safety of the shore or the ground to plant their feet. This putting is about moving beyond yourself and placing yourself until the control and command of God. There are things in life that cannot be done in the flesh and need the power of the Holy Spirit. God wants get us where we can’t go without faith in Him. God in control can do the seemingly impossible. See Philippians 4:13 and John 15:5. Without the vine the branches cannot produce fruit and hence is good for nothing!
• Ceased to support yourself – There is no need to wade or even swim. You are supported by the river as it carries you through life. God is in charge and not you! The full power of the river can come to bear and God can conduct His business as He carries you along.
• Give up your will for God’s will – You go where the river takes you. God wants us to lose sight of our goals, ambitions and dreams. God wants us to be 100% surrendered to Him and His will for our lives. God wants us to surrender. See Romans 12:1-2.
• Happy to be carried along – When you become happy to you wade out into the deep be carried along by the river. The will of the river becomes your will.

Ezekiel is all wet and completely way over his head. Yet, it is the place where God wants him! If God’s people will throw themselves at the mercy of the water then the Spirit of God will have the right of way in our lives. Revival in God’s people will lead to revival in others.

Categories: Ezekiel