Ezekiel 47:9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that lives, which moves, wherever the rivers shall come, shall live… I. THE ORIGIN OF THE GOSPEL. As the tracing of the Nile to its source was a work of deepest interest to the sages of Egypt, so is it of interest to us to trace to its source that nobler river of which the Nile was but a picture — the river of the love of God — the Gospel. This Gospel has made our country what it is, and made us what we are. Its saving power and hallowed influence we have often seen giving strength to the weak, power to the faint, comfort amid crosses and cares, peace of mind amid the war of elements, triumph over death, and victory over the grave. 1. The Gospel originated with God, as the river originated in the temple. 2. The Gospel comes to man in harmony with the principles of the Divine government, as the river flowed from the temple without doing damage to its walls. The idea of the text, when divested of its figure, is that the outward flow of God's love to sinners in the Gospel did not require the breaking up of the Divine character — did no violation to the principles of Divine government, but was in perfect harmony with them. 3. Eternal life is brought within the reach of man through the death of Jesus, for the water came out at the side of the altar. His wounds, His tears and cries and Cross, were channels through which His love, unfathomed, flowed and flows to man, and gave and gives him healing. II. THE PROGRESS OF THE GOSPEL. 1. The Gospel, like the river, had a small beginning. 2. The progress of the Gospel, like that of the river, has been, and ever will be, gradual. (1) Various eras, past and present, in the history of the world's moral renovation. (2) Its slow but sure advancement in the world. As one solitary seed might cover the earth with vegetation, time alone being required for the task, so is the Gospel destined to affect the human race. III. THE CONDITION OF THE WORLD WITHOUT THE GOSPEL. Man is as void of piety as the sea of life. Man's soul is as desolate, in reference to goodness, as those barren banks are to vegetation. Is this picture overdrawn? Someone might say — Surely that is not a picture of England today, or of any part of the civilised world? Perhaps not — probably not. But it is impossible for us to tell how far the inhabitants of England and of civilised Europe may be affected by the Gospel. Millions are benefited who are not saved. As embalming may, to some extent, prevent the decay of the dead, though it gives life to none, so may Christian influence arrest the progress of depravity, without producing holiness in its place. IV. THE INFLUENCE OF THE GOSPEL. Like the river, the Gospel refreshes, vivifies, and beautifies all it touches. It purifies the heart, and thereby illuminates the intellect, elevates the affections, and fits men's souls for a higher state of being. As the sun chases darkness from the world and fills that world with light, and shows the glory of creation, so does the Gospel show all the good which it finds in human nature, increases that good a thousandfold, and makes its possessor blessed himself and a blessing to all others. (E. Lewis, B. A.) 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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