God subjected Ezekiel through an immersive experience in the vision of walking in the river. From Ezekiel’s first account that the water reaches his ankle, to the next encounter where the waters reaches his knees, to the point that the waters reaches his waist and finally when the waters became so deep that it was impossible to walk but one needs to swim, and even so the currents are so strong that one cannot swim across. From our personal experiences, such first-hand experiential activities leave a deeper and more lasting impressions, as compared to just seeing (visual) and listening (audial). So why did God use this approach? What key and essential message did He want to impart to Ezekiel? And what bearing does it have for us today? “And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.” “And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes.” The power and significance of the river can be seen through the effects. The teeming vitality, the abundance of life brought about by the healing powers of the river. Jesus proclaimed on the last day of the feast (John 7:38 – 39), “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” And the scriptures continued to explain that the river of living water refers to the Holy Spirit. Paul also declared to us “Or do you not know that your body is the Is this same power that God revealed to Ezekiel manifested in us as well. Do we bring God’s healing power to the people that we meet each day. Do we live up to God’s expectations of us? Have we truly and sincerely do all that we can to repay God for His great love and mercy towards us. There is definitely still much that we must do. Let us continue to stir up and encourage one another as we see the day of the Lord approaching. “But its swamps and marshes will not be healed; they will be given over to salt.” Alas, we do see also that there are areas that the healing power of God do not reach. Let us however not be mistaken thinking that it is the limitation to the power of God. Rather, it is sadly the deplorable state of man’s heart as Stephen declared in Acts 7:51, “ Let us thus guard our hearts with all diligence, that we do not fall in the same error in our ways. Let us not be the barren fig tree that waste the ground (Luke 13:6 – 9), nor should we be the enlightened but to fall away and put our Lord to open shame (Heb 6: 4 – 8).

What thoughts spring into mind as we read this chapter?   As we read of the utter destruction of Gog, that though they are great in numbers, they cannot stand against the might of God (v11 – 12).   As we read of the shocking and shameful treatment of the slain.  As we imagine the grotesque picture of every bird and every beast of the field feasting upon the corpses of the fallen. Do we decry and cringe at the carnage, at the horrid indignity on a fellow human.  Wondering why our loving God can be so harsh and heavy handed. Are we gleeful and smug that justice is served to the enemies for they must be punished for going against the house of Israel. Or do we rightfully see God’s purpose and intent. “Then they shall know that I am the Lord. So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel, And I will not let them profane My holy name anymore. Then the nations shall know that I am the Lord, the Holy One in Israel.”  V6 – 9 As Paul and Peter described the nature of God in Rom 9:22 and 2 Peter 3:15 respectively.  God desires for man’s salvation.  For that He has put off the destruction that man rightfully deserves.  But once the period of grace is over for it is only right not to expect an indefinite period of grace), God will take action to protect His name and sovereignty. We should see the awesome power of our Lord and know that nothing can stand in His way.  If we stand on the side of God and the love of God abides in us, we shall be victors, regardless of how strong and mighty our enemies are. (Rom 8:31 – 39).   Hence in all wisdom, to whom should we pledge our allegiance and trust? And how shall we direct our lives?  As the author of Hebrews exhorts us (Heb 10:26 – 31), we must see things in the right perspective.  Our God is an awesome God, one that we must fear, honour, submit and obey. 

“History looks very different depending on which window you open to look at it” (Ben Rhodes) This is the third of four chapters detailing the words of God and lamentation directed towards Pharoah and Egypt.  This chapter specifically highlighted Assyria as an example, a warning to Pharoah (and Egypt) not to be conceited and arrogance before the Lord God.  Though in splendour, glory and greatness, they excel even above the chosen people of God, they shall meet their downfall in the Pit. But the point is, will they listen.  Even when the outcomes of those who came before them are clearly manifested.  Will they see life’s lessons plainly spelt out through the historical records.  Does not the quotation ring a bell.  Oftentimes, we shut our eyes and refuse to see and acknowledge the similarities and connections, we turn a deaf ear, pretending not to hear the wise counsel, we refuse to think and reflect as such stirrings do not reach our mind and heart.   While these words no longer serve much purpose to the original recipient of the word of the Lord, what we need to recognise is that these ‘historical records’ serve a higher purpose for us.  Just as Paul pointed out to the gentile believers in Corinth (1 Cor 10:1 - 15; that though it seemed that the Israelites journey in the wilderness is an incident in the Old Testament.  There is deep meaning and purpose in their recording.  Paul in v1 formed the intimate link and connection, when he emphasised on “our fathers” – not a physical lineage connection for there is none, but a spiritual link (cf Gal 3: 27 -29) and in v11 that these things become our examples, written for our admonition and v15, that if we are truly wise, we will surely heed and pay attention by deep thinking and making a judgement for ourselves. Hence are we also like Pharoah and the Egyptians towards God and men.  As God ask Pharoah, the same question is asked of us “whom are you like in your greatness?”.  Do we ascribe all glory to ourselves rather than to God.  Remember Nebuchadnezzar. Finally, it is interesting to note in v6, that in the parables of Jesus, He also bring to mind the birds (Matt 13 Parables of Sower and Mustard Seed).  In the parables of Jesus, the birds ate the seed (the words of God), thus destroying the work of God.  In like manner, as we prosper and grow, as we increase in abundance and greatness, will the word that is in us also be chipped away.  Let us guard what is most precious in us and not be robbed from the eternal rewards in heaven.  It will be a great pity if, despite all the grace that God showered upon us, we end up in the Pit.

I chose to share on this chapter arbitrarily without first reading through the content. Kind of regretted my action the moment I started reading to prepare this article. While the message is clear, and content is straightforward. Certain words used and the descriptors used to bring home the message may touch on raw nerves. As one bible commentary puts it; “ At this point in time, do we find it difficult as well to accept that all scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction In righteousness… There was this point made in the documentary that I watched on Nazi Germany and the Holocaust atrocities. The people in the USA were aware of the inhumane brutality inflicted on the Jews by what they heard over the radio. But it was only when the camps were opened for public view for the first time that the full brunt and impact of these acts struck them. The harsh realities sunk in and overwhelmed them when photographs of the victims were shown to the outside world after years of concealment. We need these graphic stimulus to have a complete and accurate picture. That by it, we truly learn life’s lessons. In like manner, through the strong imagery portrayed, do we not see how deplorable a state of decadence, Israel and Judah, had sunk into. The grievous sins that they have committed utterly disappointed and infuriated God. Despite all the strongly worded warnings and the severe chastisement afflicted, the people remained stiff-necked, hard hearted and stubbornly unrepentant. We often only emphasized the tender mercy and lovingkindness of the Lord. We also need to firmly remember and never forget that God is a consuming fire (Deut 4:24, Heb 12:28 – 29), one that we should never disregard nor dishonour. He is the Lord God, the Almighty one that we must greatly and reverently fear.