The river from the temple

The river from the temple

Scripture: The man brought me back to the entrance to the temple, and I saw water coming out from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (for the temple faced east). The water was coming down from under the south side of the temple, south of the altar. He then brought me out through the north gate and led me around the outside to the outer gate facing east, and the water was trickling from the south side. As the man went eastward with a measuring line in his hand, he measured off a thousand cubits and then led me through water that was ankle-deep. He measured off another thousand cubits and led me through water that was knee-deep. He measured off another thousand and led me through water that was up to the waist. He measured off another thousand, but now it was a river that I could not cross, because the water had risen and was deep enough to swim in—a river that no one could cross. Ezekiel 47:1-5

Observation: This study, we are looking at the river flowing out from the temple. It starts of as a little trickle and then grows and grows until it become a mighty river that no one can cross. What is the significance of this river?

In John 7:37-39, Jesus said: ^“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.  

Jesus likened the Holy Spirit to a river of living water. If we believe in Jesus, the Scripture promises that rivers of living waters will flow from us. When we look to Jesus in faith, and open our mouths and ask Him to fill us with His spiritual river, the Holy Spirit flows into us and overflows out of us. It may start as a little trickle but can grow into a great and mighty river.

In the beginning, there was a river flowing from the Garden of Eden that expanded into 4 great rivers, and they brought life wherever they went. The Holy Spirit in us, overflowing through us brings spiritual life and awakening wherever it goes.

In the healing of the Aramean commander Naaman, he went down to the river Jordan where he was cleansed completely of his leprosy. For us too, the River of God in us brings healing with us.

The Psalmists writes in Psalm 36:8 “They feast on the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights.” God’s river is our provision, who supplies all our needs and satisfies us delightfully!

God’s river is righteous. In Amos 5:24, it is written ”But let justice roll on like a river, righteousness like a never-failing stream! God’s river brings righteousness wherever it goes!

Application: Thinking of a mighty river, ask God for more and more of His Holy Spirit, seeing His Spirit come into us like a river and overflowing out with praises unto God! Believe that the Holy Spirit in us brings supernatural life, righteousness, healing and provision wherever we go.

Prayer: Lord, I open my mouth to you. Fill me more and more with Your River, Your Holy Spirit. Let it overflow from my heart to bring forth praises unto You. Let Your Spirit be with me wherever I go, bringing supernatural life, righteousness, healing and provision not only to me, but also those I meet. In Jesus name, Amen.