Where Are You in Ezekiel 47:1-12?

In Ezekiel 47:1-12, the prophet was led by a guide with a measuring line in his hand to the door of the Temple and saw a healing, life-giving River flowing out from the right (south) side of the Temple, from under its threshold.

Note 1: We, who belong to Christ, are the Temple (1 Cor. 3:16-17; 6:15-20; 2 Cor. 6:14-18; Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:5).

Note 2: The right side is the side of blessing – water flowed from Jesus’ right side (Jn. 19:34).

The guide then measured the depth of the waters at 4 different stages or levels:

1. At 1000 cubits from the threshold, the waters were ankle-deep — This deals with our walk among men, our relationship with others and speaks of waters to splash in as a child.
2. At 2000 cubits from the threshold, the waters were knee-deep — This deals with our walk before the Lord, our relationship with God through a deeper prayer life, leading to a stronger devotion and loyalty to Him.
3. At 3000 cubits from the threshold, the waters were loins-deep — This deals with new life in Christ, where we gird up the loins of our mind and receive only the life and thoughts of God. Those who enter this realm reproduce the life of God in the earth.
4. At 4000 cubits from the threshold, the waters had risen deep enough to swim in but were too deep to pass over or through — This is the realm of no limitation, which cannot be passed over. We are cut loose from the earth and cannot touch the bottom. There is no longer the support of earthly things. In this place, we enter into total dependence upon the Holy Spirit, where we relinquish all control to the Lord!

Note: The higher the River goes, the less of us (our flesh) is seen! This, of course, makes it much harder for Satan to see us as well, to the degree that we are in the River (see Psalm 91).

Wherever the River flowed, healing, restoration, and life was delivered, including when it washed into the desert valley and into the Dead Sea. Everything that touched the River, including every living thing, came to life, and every tree fed by the River produced fruit for food and leaves for healing. The 4 different levels of the River’s flow from the Temple (which, again, is us) speaks of 4 different levels of ministry toward those around us.

At each stage, as the River deepens, life, fruit, healing and restoration increases and intensifies.

The only place that the River is not able to heal are the swamps and marshes, where the River flows in but nothing flows out (Ezekiel 47:11). Like Lot’s wife, who looked back (Lk. 9:62), these places will be given to salt (Ezekiel 47:12).

Note: The swamps/marshes and the River to the ankles parallels the Outer Court of Moses’ Tabernacle. The River to the knees and loins parallels the Holy Place. The River over the head parallels the Most Holy Place.

Each of us are at different places in this River. Every believer, every “church”, every ministry is somewhere in this River.

Have you gone deeper or receded back into the shallows? Have you measured the River for yourselves with an honest measuring line?

Have you tested the waters? Can you discern the difference between the River and the swampy marshes?

Will you enter into the deeper waters on purpose or by accident?

What are you doing to intentionally get “in over your head“?

Selah (pause and think about this).