How does Ezekiel 47:11 illustrate God's sovereignty over creation and judgment? Ezekiel 47:11—Selective Healing “But its swamps and marshes will not become fresh; they will be left for salt.” What the Verse Shows About God’s Sovereignty • He draws clear boundaries: the main body of water is healed, yet the outlying pools remain salty. • He chooses purposefully: the same river that brings life also leaves pockets of judgment, proving He decides where mercy flows and where it does not. • Creation obeys His word: water, salinity, and ecosystems respond exactly as He decrees, echoing Genesis 1 where “God said…and it was so.” • Judgment and provision coexist by His design; He is not compelled by external forces or chance. Why Leave Certain Waters Salty? • A perpetual reminder of His holiness—unhealed zones symbolize the cost of sin (cf. Joshua 7:12). • A storehouse of salt for covenant worship (Leviticus 2:13); even judgment scenes serve the worship life of God’s people. • Protection against complacency; the contrast urges gratitude for grace (Romans 11:22). Parallels Throughout Scripture • Job 38:8-11—God sets bounds for the sea: “Here you may come, but no farther.” • Psalm 107:33-34—He “turns rivers into a desert…a fruitful land into salty wasteland,” underscoring authority over blessing and curse. • Romans 9:18—“He has mercy on whom He wills, and He hardens whom He wills,” reflecting the same divine prerogative seen in the healed river and salty marshes. • Revelation 22:1-2—A future river of life heals nations completely, showing that final, total healing comes only at His appointed time. Judgment Embedded in Mercy • The life-giving river dominates the vision, revealing abundant grace. • The salty marshes ensure that grace never eclipses God’s righteous judgment. • Both outcomes spring from the same source, teaching that judgment is not a failure of grace but an expression of sovereign holiness. Living Response • Marvel at the One who rules every molecule of water. • Humbly submit to His choices, trusting His wisdom when He heals and when He withholds. • Let the sight of unhealed marshes fuel urgency to proclaim the gospel before the day when mercy’s door closes (2 Corinthians 6:2). |
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