EZEKIEL 47: 9-12 The stream will make the water of the Dead Sea fresh, and wherever it flows, it will bring life…there will be as many different kinds of fish there as there are in the Mediterranean Sea…On each bank of the stream all kinds of trees will grow to provide food. Their leaves will never wither, and they will never stop bearing fruit. They will have fresh fruit every month, because they are watered by the stream that flows from the Temple. The trees will provide food, and their leaves will be used for healing people. [Good New translation]
Summary
Ezekiel was an Old Testament priest. His calling/job was to speak the Word of GOD to a people that were in rebellion against GOD, a most difficult task indeed. But, GOD prepared Ezekiel for the job Ezekiel had to perform. Ezekiel’s preparation involved experiencing the SPIRIT of GOD through a number of visions. Ezekiel chapters 40 to 48 contain a description of the millennial temple—the temple of the future; a temple like no other. In Ezekiel chapters 43-46, Ezekiel describes his vision of the worship. In Ezekiel 47 and 48, Ezekiel describes his prophetic vision of the land during the millennial Kingdom time. In verse 47:12, Ezekiel describes the trees, whose leaves will not wither and that bear fresh fruit every month.
Some commentaries* suggest the “many trees” and the fruit describe “our lives.” The “water” represents THE HOLY SPIRIT, bringing forth life, growth and fullness. Some of these commentaries note that “THE TEMPLE” is not a physical building, but GOD HIMSELF, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST. [See also Revelation, chapters 20 and 21.]
Ezekiel ends his description of the New Millennial (i.e., THE TEMPLE, the land, the city in Chapter 48 on a high note, proclaiming: “THE LORD IS THERE.”
Fresh Fruits and Vegetables
According to Beth Hoffman, contributor to Forbes Magazine, in “One Way to Be Healthier: Don’t Eat Like The Average American,” the good news is that Americans are eating 25% more fresh fruit and 54% more fresh vegetable (not counting potatoes, which Americans mainly eat processed). In addition Hoffman notes that the sales of organic fruits and vegetables continue to grow.
However the bad news, according to Hoffman, is that the average American continues to overspend on sweets, fats, convenience foods and refined grains, and underspend on fruits vegetables, and whole grains.” See, “One Way to Be Healthier: Don’t Eat Like The Average American,” by Beth Hoffman, www.forbes.com. Hoffman notes that according to a report released by the Economic Research Service (ERS) of the U.S. Department of Agriculture:
Regardless of race, income or educational levels, the average American spends only .5 percent of their food budget on green leafy vegetables while the USDA recommends more than 15 times that amount. Slightly more than 4 percent of our food purchases are spent on fruit, while the USDA recommends we spend 16 percent of our budget on foods such as berries, melons and apples.
Emphasis added. See, “One Way to Be Healthier: Don’t Eat Like The Average American,” by Beth Hoffman, www.forbes.com.
These reports note that most Americans spend close to 14% of their food budget on sweets, when they should be spending less than 1%.
So, Hoffman suggests: Don’t eat and buy like the average American. Instead, eat and buy more fresh fruits and vegetable. Eat and buy fewer sweets.
Time for a Change: Envision Your Future
Ezekiel lived many years ago, around 595 B.C. But in a prophetic vision, he saw the future. He envisioned a new temple, a New Jerusalem, a new land, a different order. He envisioned a city, where THE LORD is there.
Today think about your last food shopping cart. What percentage of the items in your last food cart were sugary foods [e.g. sugary drinks, sugary breakfast foods, sugary snacks]? What percentage of your bill or the items in your food shopping cart were fresh fruits and vegetables?
If you have been eating like “the average American” or even worse, then close your eyes and envision yourself making a change! Then envision your next grocery cart or your next shopping bag filled with fresh fruits and vegetables. Then say a prayer. Invite the HOLY SPIRIT to wash away all unhealthy physical and spiritual desires. And, thank GOD for answering prayer. Then, the next time you go shopping “JUST DO IT!” Cut down on purchasing sweets. Fill the upper part of the cart with fruits and vegetables. Claim the vision of your healthier self!
Let us ask GOD to plant the right vision in our heart and in our spirit. Let’s envision ourselves healthier. Let’s envision a healthier America.
Some things bear repeating.
THE LORD IS THERE! BE BLESSED!
*See for example, Thru The Bible Commentary Series, The Prophets, Ezekiel by J. Vernon McGee.
