The Pulpit Commentary — Ezekiel — Volume 2 — Section 443

growth of true and spiritual religion. Beginning with Judaism, the stream of truth and blessing widened and deepened into Christianity; and Christianity itself, com- mencing its course in the bosom of Israel, soon came to include in its ever-widenin"' flood, its ever-deepening volume of blessing, all the nations comprehended in th~ dominion of Rome. .And following centuries have witnessed the constant broadening of the life-giving and beneficent stream, so that none can place a limit to the area which shall be fertilized and refreshed by the wateni that first flowed from the courts of the temple at Jerusalem. Ill. THE BENEFICENCE OF THE HOLY WATERS. .Among the results of the presence of the waters of life may be observed the following. 1. Healing. The salt and bitumi- nous waters of the Dead Sea are represented as being healed and restored to sweetness by this inflow of the sweet and wholesome waters issuing from the sanctuary. By this rna:y: be unde_rstood the P?wer of pure and supernatural religion to heal the corruptions of smful society. Certainly, as a matter of fact, not a little has been done in this direction in the course of the centuries, as the Church has taken possession, first of the Roman empire, and then of the nations of the North, and as, in these latter days, it has, with missionary zeal, penetrated the foulness of the remotest heathenism. 2. Life. And this in two several directions. The prophet saw very many trees on the banks of the river, and a very great multitude of fish in its translucent waters. Life, both vegetable and animal, life of every kind and order, is the result of the stream's full and beneficent flow. Corresponding with this is the spiritual life which results from the benign and wholesome influence of true Christianity. The Lord Jesus came that men might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. Life of the spirit, the very life of God himself-such is the issue of the Divine interposition and provision. 3. Fruitjul11ess and abundance. The fishers spread their nets and draw up from the waters a great supply of fish; the husbandmen go forth into the gardens and vineyards by the river-side and gather great crops of fruit. The river of the water of life, like the streams of Dama8cus creating a green oasis in the Syrian desert, brings fertility, a wealth of blossom and of fruit, wherever it flows. Righteousness and holiness, patience and peace, devotion· and hope,-such are the harvest for which the world is indebted to the sweet waters of the Divine sanctuary.-T. Ver. 12.-The tree of life. The river, which in his prophetic vision Ezekiel beholds, as it pursues its widening course from the temple rock eastwards towards the Arabah, is seen by him to be bordered with trees, clad with perennial foliage, and laden with luscious and nutritious fruits. .And as the waters of life bring satisfaction and refresh- ment to the tl,irsting spirits of men, so do the trees supply them with leaves to heal their wounds and sicknesses, and with fruit to satisfy the hunger which the Dead Sea apples can only mock and leave unappeased. I. THE souRcE OF SALVATION. The fruitfulness of the trees which border the river- banks is accounted for by the fresh and flowing waters which keep their roots for ever moist and nourished. The gospel is a Divine provision for human need; its suitable- ness and sufficiency are only to be explained by its heavenly origin in the infinite wisdom and the infinite love or God himself. Our Saviour Christ, "for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven." The Holy Spirit who enlightens, quickens, and blesses, is the Gift of God, "proceeding from the Father and the Son." II. THE CHARACTER OF SALVATION. As represented in this exquisitely beautiful 1igure, salvation is twofold. 1. It includes healing for sin. .As the leaves of certain trees were and are applied to the body for the healing of wounds and diseases, so the gospel brings to sinful men the Divine remedy and cure. 2. It includes the supply of spiritual wants. It is an imperfect view of religion which confines it to a provision for pardon. Religion takes possession of the whole nature, and provides truth for the understanding, love for the heart, and power for the life. It is to the spiritunl nnture what food is to the body-sustenance, stimulus, and strength. As the strong man eats in order that he may be in health and vigorous life, in order that he may do his daily work, so does the good man partake of the fruit of God's Word in order that he may be empowered to render true and effective service to hia God. lll. Trm ABUNDANCE OF SALVATION. The trees which grew by the river of life are represe11tcd as characterized by unwithering leaf and by unfailing fruit. 1. Salvation otr. XLVII. 1-23.J THE BOOK OF THE PROPHET EZEKIEL. 459