Alan Fadling: Notes from my Unhurried Journey

I finished reading the prophet Ezekiel yesterday (and finished my two-year stroll through the Bible). I came upon one of my favorite chapters in that book (chapter 47). It is the image of a temple from which flows a river that miraculously produces fruit trees in the desert and brings the Dead Sea back to life. Listen:

Ezekiel 47:12, “Fruit trees of all kinds will grow on both banks of the river. Their leaves will not wither, nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit, because the water from the sanctuary flows to them. Their fruit will serve for food and their leaves for healing.”

This verse describes the affect of the river that flows from the temple down to the Dead Sea. Where the water flows, everything lives. In new covenant terms, I see a reference to my own life as the temple (or our shared life in community) and the river as God’s very presence filling and overflowing us for the benefit of others.

There is rich variety of fruit (“fruit trees of all kinds”). This is not the same old manna every day in the desert. This is a rich assortment of the richest of fruit for our enjoyment and our sustenance.

There is verdant foliage (“their leaves will not wither”). I think here of the appearance of our countenance. Do I look alive or look like I’m dying. Is there a brightness to my demeanor or a dullness. Am I withering or thriving? The river of God enlivens me continually.

There is abundant and continual fruit (“nor will their fruit fail. Every month they will bear fruit…”). With the Lord, there is no season of famine. Month by month I have all that I need.

There is plentiful nourishment (“Their fruit will serve for food”). The Lord knows what I need, and the river of God provide it.

There is healing provided (“and their leaves for healing.”). As I am in a healing process, the river provides healing herbs that will make my healthy and whole. I welcome this.

All of this comes as a result of the river that flows from the temple. All that I need is a product of the living water that flows from the place of worship—the place of God’s very presence.

Thank You, Father, that I have all that I need for the journey. Amen.