Ezekiel 47:9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that lives, which moves, wherever the rivers shall come, shall live… This vision refers to the Gospel under the figure of a river. I. THE GOSPEL AS A SINGULARLY APPROPRIATE BLESSING. A river in the desert. Implying — 1. Its suitability. The desert needs water, the world needs the Gospel. 2. The abundant measure of its blessing. A river. 3. The sweet nature of these blessings. II. THE GOSPEL AS A PURIFIER OF THE WORLD'S SUPPLIES. The sea represents the world's material plenty which have been corrupted, and the Gospel is necessary to purify them. 1. This implies the superior power of holiness over evil; the river purifying the sea. The larger quantity purified by the smaller. 2. This bespeaks the ultimate triumph of holiness over sin. The constant flow shall gradually change the character of the sea. "And the waters shall be healed." III. THE GOSPEL AS A LIFE-GIVING POWER IN OUR WORLD. 1. Life of a pronounced character. There is a difference in the meaning of the words "live" in this verse. The first means "to live and move" — nacre motion; the second means "to live and produce." 2. Life in an abundant measure. "And there shall be a great multitude of fishes," etc. The element congenial to life. 3. Life everywhere. "And it shall come to pass that every living creature which swarmeth in every place whither the rivers come shall live" (R.V.) 4. Abiding life (ver. 12). The Gospel brings satisfaction, holiness, fruitfulness, and permanence. (E. Aubrey.) Parallel Verses KJV: And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh. |
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