The name "Dead Sea" never occurs in the
Bible. It was known as the Salt Sea in Genesis 14:3, Sea of the Arabah in
Deuteronomy 4:49, East Sea in Joel 2:20, and simply the Sea in our text Ezekiel
47:8.
We will compare the Dead Sea to ourselves in this scripture with the
saving grace of God in our lives.
The Dead Sea is
1. Sunken. It is the lowest lying part of land on the earths crust not covered with ocean. It lies 1300 ft. below sea level with it's water at a depth of 1300 ft.
2. Barren. No fish live in the sea. No birds flourish on it's coast because there is no food to support life. No plants thrive in the sea or near it's coast line.
3. Uselessness. Other then recent extractions of chemicals and minerals, the sea held no purpose. Many religions flock to the sea in search of it's healing properties, but they could get the same effect from a box of Epson salt and a tub of warm water.
4. Helpless. Millions of tons of fresh water pour into the Dead Sea each day from the Jordan river and several tributaries. The fresh water reaches it's destination only to be evaporated by the sun and the heat that surround the Dead Sea. Leaving behind the sediments picked up during it's journey.
The only hope for this sea is mentioned in this prophecy in Ezekiel that one day water flowing from the house (Temple of God) mentioned in 47:1 will reach the sea and heal it.
We too were like the Dead Sea. We were:
1. Sunken. We were under the penalty of sin as fallen man. Depraved in nature and in deed. We could have not gotten any lower then the state that we where in at birth. Destined for hell and an eternity of ruin.
2. Barren. The works of our flesh and the deeds of our body produced no fruit of any lasting significance. Towards God, our life yielded no fruit.
3. Uselessness. What good were we to God. There could have been no good thing come out of our lives. Enlightening others with our view on God, the universe, and the state of man with no comprehension of true Bible doctrine. What good were we for the Kingdom of God? We were useless.
4. Hopeless. We had no hope in the world. Aliens from the common wealth of Israel. All that was good around us was soon taken away by the heat and environment of the world leaving behind only that which was filthy and unrighteous.
The only Hope we had is the same hope that the dead sea has. Water coming from the Throne of God to flood our souls, to cleanse our hearts, to make us pure. To raise us to the standard accepted by God through His son, to produce fruit in our lives and yield useful results toward his Kingdom. The Hope we have is the Word.
Water is a type of the Word of God in the Bible.
The Water: Promises Hope to all who believe. e.g. Moses at the
well (Ex. 1),The woman at the well (John 4).
1. (v1-5) Partake in His Word Get into the Word. Not just your feet wet, but swim in it. The more you get into it the more you see that it grows and grows. Col. 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another.
2. (v.6-10) Provides Health. The Word of God will purify the heart, clean the mind, and consecrate our lives for the service of our Lord. Ephesians 5:26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word.
3. (v.11) Partially Hindered. We may have places in
our lives that we do not want God to deal with. These places are no good
to God or to us. Let us pray for the exposure of these places in our
hearts and for God to deal with us on these matters. James 1:22 But be
ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
4. (v.12) Produce a Harvest. There should be
evidence of fruit in our life because of our conversion to God, our commitment
to Christ and our obedience to His Word. John 15:16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that
ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
Has the Word of God made a difference in your life? Allow His
Word to flow into your life and heal every need.