Ezekiel 47:3-4 (NKJV): And when the man went out to the east with the line in his hand, he measured one thousand cubits, and he brought me through the waters; the water came up to my ankles. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through the waters; the water came up to my knees. Again he measured one thousand and brought me through; the water came up to my waist.
This 'man' with the measuring line in his hand speaks of the 'prince', a picture of Jesus Christ Himself, whereas the 'measuring line' here represents 'passing your test'.
Upon passing your 'test' comes your promotion. The Bible says 'promotion (or exaltation) comes neither from the east, west, or south' (Psalm 75:6). Your promotion comes from the Lord. Ezekiel 47:2 says, "He brought me out by way of the north gate, and led me around on the outside to the outer gateway (of the temple) that faces east (toward the throne of God)..." The north here speaks of where Mount Zion is (Psalm 48:2).
As a whole, Ezekiel 47:1-12 speaks of God's river flowing from under the threshold of the temple toward the east (where God's throne is), and as the 'man' brought Ezekiel towards the east, the waters became broader and deeper, from ankle deep to knee high, then up to the waist, and eventually, so deep that one had to swim in it (see Ezekiel 47:5). I know the late Ruth Heflin used to speak of this as 'praising God till He brings us into the spirit of worship, and then worshiping Him till He brings us into the spirit of glory'. She was seeing these verses from 'prophetic and worship' point of view, and there's really nothing wrong with it. I have been an ardent learner from her teachings, and was truly blessed by her.
But today, I wish to explain these verses from 'passing your test' and 'promotion comes from the Lord' point of view: As you pass your 'test', God will bring you (lead you) to a deeper (greater) realm of success or anointing.
Maybe some of you have been asking these questions recently:
"When is my breakthrough going to come?"
"O God, when are you going to give me the promotion I've been yearning for?"
"O God, when am I going to see a greater manifestation of Your glory and power?"
In short, you've been asking, "O God, why is my 'river' not deep enough?"
People of God, we are all in the same boat. In life, one cannot avoid disappointments (or delays) at one time or another. The Bible even says, 'Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but when the desire comes, it is a tree of life' (Proverbs 13:12). But as a believer and a beloved of God, you must also know God allows certain disappointments or delays not because He hates you or He's all-out to punish you. He cannot, and He will not. His words say so. See Jeremiah 29:11-12.
You may then ask, "Then why does He allow it?"
He allows it because He loves you so much, because of His great love for you. He allows it because He is preparing you for something greater in your life. He allows it because He wants you to get ready for the greater blessings He's going to 'pour out' on you soon! But you've got to get ready for the greater blessings (or anointing), lest you cannot 'contain' it, or in other words, lest you break! Like the old wineskin trying to 'contain' the new wine! When the anointing came upon Jesus (Luke 4:18-19), He was ready. Not much was mentioned about His first thirty years on earth, but even He had to go through a preparation time as well. He has indeed shown us the way. By the way, the number '30' in Hebrew numeric means 'ministry maturation'.
So, take heart. I am convinced He allows 'test' not to harm you or hurt you. His love for you stays the same, i.e. His unfailing love for you. And His grace for you is definitely sufficient. Let's take His word for it. You'll pass your 'test', whatever it may be at the moment, by His grace. Not only that, you'll also rise up stronger than before! And here's a piece of good news for you: If you've been 'tested' left and right in the past year, this is your year of promotion.
Some of you may be facing a test of patience, and for some others, a test of walking in His way & timing (instead of walking hastily in your own way).
Let me share a little on the test of patience. Once, I was watching my wife Sharon planting a lime seed on a pot. Nothing seemed to happen for quite a long time though. No sign of seed sprouting. Definitely no sign of the first leaf growing. About a week later, there still wasn't any sign of life on the pot! By that time, I've already long concluded that the seed wasn't going to make it! A city boy I've been all my life, that's how little I knew about planting. And just as I was giving up on the seed (even tempted to replace the soil, thinking there's really something wrong with the soil!), Sharon confidently said, "Ken, be patient. Just watch and see for one more day." The rest, of course, was history. Not long after that, we started reaping the first fruits. You see, sometimes in life, we tend to 'throw away the whole pot' even before giving enough time for the 'seed' to even grow its first leaf!
People of God, keep walking 'unwaveringly' in what God has spoken or called you to be (no matter what other people may say against you). Some of you may also need to say "No" when 'forced to the edge' to do what God hasn't said for you to do, even if that makes you unpopular or a topic of gossip! May God give you the discernment to know what's God, and what's not, no matter what 'pressure' exerted against you.
Whatever your 'test' may be at the moment, just keep trusting and looking to the sure work of Jesus on the cross. He is your ONLY sure foundation in the midst of all uncertainties in this world. Just be bold and be very courageous, and do not allow yourself to be shaken (or harassed) by the words (or threats) of the enemy (see Joshua 1:9). Just as Joshua passed the 'test', and crossed over Jordan, your breakthrough is also at hand, if you don't give up. Men may disappoint, but God will not disappoint. Men may fail you, but God's love for you never fails (1 Corinthians 13:8). So, when He says 'He will be with you', HE WILL BE WITH YOU. See Joshua 1:9 again.
Note: God also sometimes allow certain disappointments (or delays) in order to wake you up, so you'll begin to humble yourself and seek Him (instead of doing it your own way).
Let's now get back to Ezekiel 47:3-4. If the number '10' means 'test, trial' in Hebrew numeric, interestingly the number 'one thousand' (as in 'one thousand cubits' in these verses) means 'divine completeness, perfect fruitfulness'! Jesus Himself has again shown us the way. After the 'trial' on the cross where He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, His name was later highly exalted (the name above all names), and at His name, every knee should bow, and every tongue should confess that He is the Lord! (Philippians 2:8-11)
Note: 1 cubit = the length from the elbow to the tip of the middle finger.
So, upon passing your 'test', He'll bring (lead) you deeper, from ankle deep to knee high, and then up to waist high. And as you pass further tests, He'll bring (lead) you even deeper and deeper, till you swim in His unlimited glory, i.e. a river so broad that it could not be crossed (Ezekiel 47:5-6).
May you fulfill all of His destiny for you. Amen!
