Here are many similar allusions, such as were before, in reference to the Lord Jesus, and his Gospel. The trees on the bank of this river cannot be misunderstood, if we read what is here said, with what John the beloved Apostle hath said on the same subject. Revelation 22:2. Surely the Lord Jesus is the tree of life in the Paradise of God. And being placed on either side the river, most fully shows the presence of the Lord, in both his Churches, as well here as above. Subordinate to this view of the tree of life, we may behold the very many trees here spoken of, also, as those trees of righteousness, which are of the Lord's right hand planting, and represent all true believers in Jesus. Some already transplanted into the kingdom above, and some still on this side the river below. Isaiah 61:3. The current of these waters, towards the east country, the desert, and the sea; and the wonderful property of them in their healing quality, are most lovely and beautiful similitudes, to show the extensive influence of the Redeemer's kingdom, and the blessed effects of his salvation, wherever the Lord shall send it. And the difference between the marshes and miry places, compared to the ground that shall be healed, most strikingly set forth the distinguishing nature and property of grace. Such indeed ever hath been, and ever must be, the effect of the Gospel. While to some it proves the savor of life unto life, to others it becomes the savor of death unto death. 2 Corinthians 2:16. Ministers of the Gospel, like the fishermen here spoken of, may cast their gospel net from Engedi (formerly called Hazeron Tamar, nigh to the Dead Sea) even unto En-eglaim, (which reacheth towards Jordan;) but unless Jesus gives the commission, like the pool of Bethesda, there will be no saving ordinance, for the want of that mighty Angel descending upon the waters. Oh! how blessed is it to see both Prophecy, Law, and Gospel, all uniting to the testimony of the truth, as it is in Jesus. The waters will heal, will give life, will restore; and the fruit of the tree shall be both meat, and the leaf for medicine, when Jesus is in both, and in all: but without Him, the one will afford no food, neither the other health, to any dying, dead, or sin-sick soul!
Ezekiel 47:7-12
7 Now when I had returned, behold, at the banka of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other.
8 Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert,b and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.
9 And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the riversc shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.
10 And it shall come to pass, that the fishers shall stand upon it from Engedi even unto Eneglaim; they shall be a place to spread forth nets; their fish shall be according to their kinds, as the fish of the great sea, exceeding many.
11 But the miry places thereof and the marishes thereof shall not be healed; they shall be given to salt.
12 And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall growd all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.