“3 And when the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward, he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the waters were to the ankles.

4 Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through the waters; the waters were to the knees. Again he measured a thousand, and brought me through; the waters were to the loins.

5 Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.

Ezekiel‬ ‭47‬:‭3‬-‭5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Bible Reading: Ezekiel 47:1-12 . John 4:5-42

and-again-again-afterward is an awkward turn of phrase, yet as it pertains to Ezekiel’s messianic/kingdom vision, it powerfully depicts that the kingdom of God within us and His very life flows forth like a river of living waters. In addition:-

  1. the life of God is never stagnant, but ever flowing!: life begetting life!. Impacting &imparting everything it touches! flowing eternally; unfettered; unfaltering; unflinching.
  2. the kingdom of God marches on!: undefeated. undeterred, unstoppable;
  3. the gospel of the kingdom is unceasing; unremitting; unfaltering; unquenching;
  4. best of all, we as living temples are now not only beneficiaries of that life, we are also conduits of it!

From Jesus’ tête-à-tête with the Samaritan woman at the well of Sychar in John 4, We who are born again are now temples of the living God from whose in dwelling presence the life of God flows forth.

God indwells us because He wants to make Himself known [His Nature, His Power, His Message] through us to those along the pathways of our lives. However the existence of our free-will means each one of us can influence the degree of freedom with which the message/life of God can flow forth from our bellies.

4 Dimensions until Overflow

There was no reason for the angel to get Ezekiel wet – he could have shown him all from a vantage point. But the eternal message had to be delivered to us: that the recovery, restoration and reconciliation that God intends to bring to the world would be bequeathed firstly through the first born among brethren Jesus and then through all co-heirs with Him (men who get wet).

The deeper we enter into / partake of the living waters as is our inheritance, the more authority we have to channel to mankind.

These are the four dimensions Ezekiel was progressively re=positioned into:

  1. From Bank to Ankles Eze 47:3
    at this depth, the life from the kingdom of God within you begins to envelops your pursuits. your posture is transformed from passive observer to active engagement in the kingdom business 11:28-29, Luke 2:49. It is the seed falling to the ground and dying John 12:24
  2. From Ankles to Knees Eze 47:4
    at this depth, the life from the kingdom of God within you envelops your self-dependence, strength, burdens and fears. you adopt a posture that is prepared to lose your life so that you may find it again as part of the river. Matt 16:25 Accepting to bear more of the kingdom burden in place of our own. It is where the seed germinates and the evidence of His presence in us begins to manifest.
  3. From Knees to Loins Eze 47:4
    at this depth, the life from the kingdom of God within you envelops your passions & appetites. here the seed takes root downward. Isa 37:31; this is John 6:68. this is the posture of the kingdom eunuch.
  4. From Waist to Overflow Eze 47:5
    at this depth, the life from the kingdom of God within you envelops your mindset & rationale. here the seed bears fruit upwards. Isa 37:31. This is Gal 2:20 where ‘it is no longer i that liveth, But Christ liveth in me’. Where the inner man is fully liberated from the shackles of the outer man. Power unlimited; Revelation unlimited; Faith unlimited.

The dimension we are able to channel in our outward life/calling becomes dependent on the depth we are able to enter into in our inward life/personal faith walk.

3 Character Lessons that help you advance into Overflow:

20 Behold, I am sending an angel before you to protect you along the way and to bring you to the place I have prepared. 21Pay attention to him and listen to his voice; do not defy him, for he will not forgive rebellion, since My Name is in him. 22But if you will listen carefully to his voice and do everything I say, I will be an enemy to your enemies and a foe to your foes.

Exo 23:20-22

Just as it was with the angel leading Israel into the promised land, we have to be agreeable with the Holy Spirit and whoever the mentor placed ahead of you is. Ezekiel did not know the way by himself neither do you.

#1. Be Leadable | Follow Well

“the man that had the line in his hand went forth eastward”
  • You do not know the way. He alone knows the way.
  • Learn to surrender & repent quickly.
  • You mustn’t always understand the ‘why’ of everything! Walk in quick obedience.

#2. Every Stage has it’s Measure | Respect It

“he measured a thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters;”

  • Eccl 3:1-8 says “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:”
  • He knows how to tailor each season to bring us into closer conformation to the image of Christ.
  • Your focus should be understanding your season, embracing the unique lessons it offers and letting Him do His good work in you.

#3. Every Stage has it’s Price | Pay It!

“the waters were to the ankles” => “the waters were to the knees”=> “the waters were to the loins” => “the waters were risen, a river that could not be passed over”

  • For every dimension of grace. there is a price to pay! There are no shortcuts!
  • That price very often has to do with ‘letting go of something’ (stepping up your consecration) in order to walk in a higher dimension of another thing.
  • Every man’s journey is unique in many ways to his calling and as such there ie not competing with others.

Conclusion

We all have the same intrinsic value in Christ but our nuisance value in the kingdom differs. Those who will make meaningful kingdom contribution are those who are able to let Christ increase in them and through them even as they decrease.

Ezekiel’s graduation into overflow of the living waters is connected to his progressively dying to self! Just as every stage of progress involves a higher level of consecration.

How soaked are you willing to get?

May the grace of the Lord be with us all.

Selah.