Ezekiel had been a priest before he was exiled to Babylon. It was in Babylon that he took up the role of a prophet since the Jerusalem was destroyed. There was no more priestly role to play. During the Babylon Captivity, Ezekiel had a new mission. It was to console the Jews and to keep their faith glowing until Cyrus the Persian King released them back to Judah. As an ex-priest, Ezekiel was "obsessed" with the Jerusalem Temple. Thus, starting from Ezekiel 40, he began to draw up the blueprint of a new Temple.
A temple is a lifeless structure without people. People would desert this building if they found no benefit in performing temple services there. But this Temple is going to be the meeting place for God and His people. God shall breathe life into this Temple. In his vision of this Temple, Ezekiel saw a living water flowing out from the threshold of the Temple.
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); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar (Ezekiel 47:1).
Water brings life wherever it goes. This water will regenerate all forms of life it touches.
And wherever the river goes every living creature which swarms will live, and there will be very many fish; for this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes (Ezekiel 47:9).
Moreover, this living water will heal.
And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing (Ezekiel 47:12).
What is this living water?
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); and the water was flowing down from below the south end of the threshold of the temple, south of the altar (Ezekiel 47:1).
Water brings life wherever it goes. This water will regenerate all forms of life it touches.
And wherever the river goes every living creature which swarms will live, and there will be very many fish; for this water goes there, that the waters of the sea may become fresh; so everything will live where the river goes (Ezekiel 47:9).
Moreover, this living water will heal.
And on the banks, on both sides of the river, there will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither nor their fruit fail, but they will bear fresh fruit every month, because the water for them flows from the sanctuary. Their fruit will be for food, and their leaves for healing (Ezekiel 47:12).
What is this living water?
In John 7, we read about the teaching of Jesus in the Feast of Tabernacles.
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink.
He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.'"
Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37-39)
Jesus was alluring to Isaiah.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring (Isaiah 44:3).
Therefore, as John has explained, this living water is the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit would be given after Jesus was glorified, i.e. after Jesus was crucified. The passion of Jesus shall release to the world the undeserved grace from God. This grace will heal and bring life.
On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and proclaimed, "If any one thirst, let him come to me and drink.
He who believes in me, as the scripture has said, 'Out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water.'"
Now this he said about the Spirit, which those who believed in him were to receive; for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:37-39)
Jesus was alluring to Isaiah.
For I will pour water on the thirsty land, and streams on the dry ground; I will pour my Spirit upon your descendants, and my blessing on your offspring (Isaiah 44:3).
Therefore, as John has explained, this living water is the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit would be given after Jesus was glorified, i.e. after Jesus was crucified. The passion of Jesus shall release to the world the undeserved grace from God. This grace will heal and bring life.
Dear Lord, give us this living water so that I may not thirst (John 4:15) and labour for drinks that don't quench. Amen.
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