Monday, November 10, 2014

On 11-16-14, Ezekiel 47:1-12 will be our Adult Sunday School/Uniform Series/International Sunday School Lesson herein is my commentary. This lesson is known by some as A Transforming Stream or Water from the Sanctuary Gives Life

                                          A Transforming Stream                
Or
Water from the Sanctuary Gives Life
Ezekiel 47:1-12
International Sunday School Lesson
November 16, 2014
                                                                                 


Commentary
By
Jed Greenough

You may have had some spirited sessions while studying this book of Ezekiel lately.  You may have differed with me and what I have had to say.  Hopefully this week can bring some clarity at least as to why we have to be careful with this type of scripture and hopefully my example for today will help with that.
Eden, the idea of it is so much in the forefront when I think about the scripture for today.  In Genesis 2:8-10a we read, “Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden; and there He put the man He had formed.  And the Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food.  In the middle of the garden were the tree of life and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.  A river watering the garden flowed from Eden…
Of course we must also think of Revelation 22:1-2, “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city.  On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.  And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
This river mentioned in Revelation flows from the throne of God not from a temple as we read in Ezekiel.  We know there is no temple because it tells us in Revelation 21:22, “I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord god Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
Let’s look at some more but unrelated scripture which I hope will prove my point.  One time King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream we can read about it in Daniel 4.  The king told Daniel, “before me stood a tree in the middle of the land.  Its height was enormous.  The tree grew large and strong and its top touched the sky; it was visible to the ends of the earth.  Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit abundant, and on it was food for all.  Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, and the birds of the air lived in its branches; from it every creature was fed.
Well the discussion of the king’s vision went on but the gist is this on that part where Daniel (Belteshazzar) said, “The tree you saw, which grew large and strong, with its top touching the sky, visible to the whole earth, with beautiful leaves and abundant fruit, providing food for all, giving shelter to the beasts of the field, and having nesting places in its branches for the birds of the air—you, O king, are that tree!
Remember that the next time you read Ezekiel and someone wants to share with you (or debate with you) the certainty of their understanding and then therefore their teaching on this and other prophecy!

For Discussion:
1.      Discuss how Daniel could interpret dreams but NOT those given him concerning the end times!
2.      Discuss verse 11.
3.      Discuss teaching on prophecies/visions.
4.      Discuss what if anything this scripture has to do with how we consider the previous two weeks scripture in Ezekiel.
Upcoming Lessons
11-23-14   A Transformation Continued or Inheritance Marks a New Beginning, Ezekiel 47:13-23
11-30-14   Let Zion Rejoice or Good News Brings Rejoicing, Isaiah 52:1-2, 7-12
12-7-14     Worship Christ’s Majesty, Hebrews 1:1-9
12-14-14   Make a Joyful Noise, Psalm 95:1-7a

                                                                                                              
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 Biblica. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved

2 comments:

  1. I find your posts to be insightful additions, and at times alternative, to other lesson commentaries available online. I know you don't get feedback as often as you should so I want you to know that your "to the point" reflections on the weekly Sunday School lesson are much appreciated.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Your feedback is very thoughtful and much appreciated by me as well!
    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete