The Healing Waters from the Temple

471 Then he brought me back to the door of the house ; and behold , water was flowing from under the threshold of the house toward the east , for the house faced east . And the water was flowing down from under , from the right side of the house , from south of the altar . 2 He brought me out by way of the north gate and led me around on the outside to the outer gate by way of the gate that faces east . And behold , water was trickling from the south side . 3 When the man went out toward the east with a line in his hand , he measured a thousand cubits , and he led me through the water , water reaching the ankles . 4 Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water , water reaching the knees . Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the loins . 5 Again he measured a thousand ; and it was a river that I could not ford , for the water had risen , enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded . 6 He said to me, "Son of man , have you seen this?" Then he brought me back to the bank of the river . 7 Now when I had returned , behold , on the bank of the river there were very many trees on the one side and on the other . 8 Then he said to me, "These waters go out toward the eastern region and go down into the Arabah ; then they go toward the sea , being made to flow into the sea , and the waters of the sea become fresh . 9 "It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where e the river goes , will live . And there will be very many fish , for these waters go there and the others become fresh ; so everything will live where e the river goes . 10 "And it will come about that fishermen will stand beside it; from Engedi to Eneglaim there will be a place for the spreading of nets . Their fish will be according to their kinds , like the fish of the Great Sea , very many . 11 "But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh ; they will be left for salt . 12 " By the river on its bank , on one side and on the other , will grow all kinds of trees for food . Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail . They will bear every month because their water flows from the sanctuary , and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing ."

Matthew Henry's Commentary on Ezekiel 47:1-12

Chapter Summary

These waters signify the gospel of Christ, which went forth from Jerusalem, and spread into the countries about; also the gifts and powers of the Holy Ghost which accompanied it, by virtue of which is spread far, and produced blessed effects. Christ is the Temple; and he is the Door; from him the living waters flow, out of his pierced side. They are increasing waters. Observe the progress of the gospel in the world, and the process of the work of grace in the heart; attend the motions of the blessed Spirit under Divine guidance. If we search into the things of God, we find some things plain and easy to be understood, as the waters that were but to the ankles; others more difficult, which require a deeper search, as the waters to the knees, or the loins; and some quite beyond our reach, which we cannot penetrate; but must, as St. Paul did, adore the depth, Romans 11. It is wisdom to begin with that which is most easy, before we proceed to that which is dark and hard to be understood. The promises of the sacred word, and the privileges of believers, as shed abroad in their souls by the quickening Spirit, abound where the gospel is preached; they nourish and delight the souls of men; they never fade nor wither, nor are exhausted. Even the leaves serve as medicines to the soul: the warnings and reproofs of the word, though less pleasant than Divine consolations, tend to heal the diseases of the soul. All who believe in Christ, and are united to him by his sanctifying Spirit, will share the privileges of Israelites. There is room in the church, and in heaven, for all who seek the blessings of that new covenant of which Christ is Mediator.