Let us look at the man healed by Jesus. As Scripture says, he had been in his illness for thirty-eight years. Even in good health, it is hard for us to imagine such a span of time. He did not spend all those years at the Jerusalem pool, but...
Let us look at the man healed by Jesus. As Scripture says, he had been in his illness for thirty-eight years. Even in good health, it is hard for us to imagine such a span of time. He did not spend all those years at the Jerusalem pool, but he spent much of that time in this painful waiting and disappointment: first waiting for the movement of the water, and then feeling disappointed when he realized that once again he had not made it in time...
But he still tried! When he saw the water move, he began to go down into the water; he did not finally despair after realizing yet again that he was too late. The easiest thing in this situation would be to give up and believe that healing was impossible. His endurance and faith, though not visible at first glance, are striking.
And then comes his conversation with Jesus. To what looks like a foolish question, this sick man answers directly and honestly. He does not say, full of pride, "Isn't it obvious that I want to be healed? Why else would I be stuck here?" No, the sick man speaks of his weakness, no doubt asking for help yet again with his words about having no one to put him into the pool. And in response to his trust and faith, he receives healing.
47 The vision of the holy waters, Eze 47:1-12.
The borders of the land of Canaan, Eze 47:13-23.
47:1 Eastward - The fountain lay to the west, the conduit pipes were laid to bring the water to the temple, and so must run eastward, and perhaps one main pipe might be laid under the east - gate of the temple.The right side - On the south - side of the temple.
47:2 Out - Of the inmost court. The outer gate - The outmost north - gate in the wall that compassed the whole mountain of the Lord's house.
47:3 He measured - By the line in his hand. He brought me - Went before, and the prophet followed; all this was in vision.
47:8 The sea - The Dead - sea, or lake of Sodom.Shall be healed - The waters of the sea shall be healed, made wholesome.So where the grace of God from his temple and altar flows, it heals the corrupt nature of man, and renders barren terrible deserts, as a land of waters and gardens.
47:9 Shall live - Be preserved alive, and thrive, whereas no fish can live in the Dead - sea. For they - The poisonous waters of the Dead - sea shall be made wholesome for fish. Shall live - Thrive, and multiply in the virtue of the healing streams. Thus is the fruitfulness of the grace of God in the church set forth.