Topical Bible: Blessing: Temporal, from God in Egypt: Water

◄ Blessing: Temporal, from God in Egypt: Water ►

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In the biblical narrative, water serves as a significant symbol and instrument of God's temporal blessings, particularly in the context of Egypt. The land of Egypt, characterized by its dependence on the Nile River, provides a backdrop for understanding how God used water as a means of blessing His people.

The Nile River as a Source of Life

The Nile River is central to Egypt's agricultural and economic life. In Genesis 41, during the time of Joseph, God used the Nile's abundance to bless Egypt with seven years of plenty. Joseph, interpreting Pharaoh's dreams, foresaw the coming years of abundance followed by famine. The Nile's waters, under God's providence, were instrumental in producing the bounty that sustained Egypt and surrounding nations during the subsequent famine. This period of plenty is described in Genesis 41:47-49 : "During the seven years of abundance, the land brought forth bountifully. So Joseph collected all the excess food in the land of Egypt and stored it in the cities. In every city he put the food grown in the fields around it. Joseph stored up grain in such abundance—like the sand of the sea—that he stopped keeping track of it; for it was beyond measure."

The Plagues and the Nile

Conversely, the Nile also became a tool of judgment during the plagues, highlighting the contrast between God's blessings and curses. In Exodus 7:20-21 , the first plague turned the Nile's waters into blood, demonstrating God's power over Egypt's primary life source: "Moses and Aaron did just as the LORD had commanded; in the presence of Pharaoh and his officials, Aaron raised the staff and struck the water of the Nile, and all the water was turned to blood. The fish in the Nile died, and the river reeked so badly that the Egyptians could not drink its water. There was blood throughout the land of Egypt."

Provision in the Wilderness

After the Exodus, God's provision of water continued as a temporal blessing for the Israelites in the wilderness. In Exodus 15:22-25 , God sweetened the bitter waters of Marah, demonstrating His ongoing care: "Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the Desert of Shur. For three days they walked in the desert without finding water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink the water there because it was bitter. (That is why it was named Marah.) So the people grumbled against Moses, saying, 'What are we to drink?' And Moses cried out to the LORD, and the LORD showed him a log. When he cast it into the waters, they were sweetened."

Symbolism and Spiritual Significance

Water in Egypt, therefore, serves as a dual symbol of God's blessing and judgment. It underscores the dependence of humanity on divine provision and the importance of obedience to God's commands. The temporal blessings of water in Egypt remind believers of God's sovereignty and His ability to provide abundantly for His people, even in foreign lands.

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Exodus 17:1-7
And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.
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Numbers 20:10,11
And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said to them, Hear now, you rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?
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Psalm 78:15-20
He split the rocks in the wilderness, and gave them drink as out of the great depths.
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Psalm 105:41
He opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
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Library

That we Ought to Give Ourselves to God with Regard to Things Both ...
... to God with regard to things both temporal and spiritual ... in the earnestness that
lays hold of God, determined not to let Him go until the blessing comes. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/purpose in prayer/chapter ii that we ought.htm

Fifth Commandment
... TEMPORAL BLESSING OR CURSE ... I believe it to be literally true that our temporal condition
depends on the ... long as you live, you will be able to serve God, to keep ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/fifth commandment.htm

The Wilderness.
... token, faith as the condition, and the blessing to all ... be roused to look for the
present temporal promise, and ... better race have been trained up, God would not ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson iv the wilderness.htm

Canaan on Earth
... First, the Christian's temporal condition is different to ... heaven's own inscription,
and every blessing comes down ... the ivory palaces, whence God dispenses his ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/canaan on earth.htm

Limiting God
... If ye ask, especially for temporal mercies, always take ... set to work expecting a great
blessing, I trow ... remember, remember more and more God's Love and goodness ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/limiting god.htm

God's True Treasure in Man
... use of the things that are seen and temporal; they are ... The slave has at least this
blessing in his lot ... they who know the sweetness of possessing God, and the ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gods true treasure in man.htm

Circumcision, Temple Service, and Naming of Jesus.
... coming Prince, local, carnal, finite, temporal; we wait ... universal, spiritual, infinite,
eternal, the Son of God. ... remarkable favor, a notable blessing"Luke 10 ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xii circumcision temple service and.htm

The Water of Life;
... a blessing, conference a blessing, meditation a blessing, and duty ... of them that are
spiritual; for temporal good will ... the things that be of the Spirit of God. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the water of life.htm

The Sovereignty of God in Reprobation
... Does the (temporal) goodness of God lead them to ... Assembly of the Presbyterian
Church-declares, "God, by an ... one unto, the other not unto the blessing of eternal ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter five the sovereignty of.htm

A Little Sanctuary
... of the feet with water; and the Lord himself will give us this blessing. ... you are
wrapped up in the things that are seen and temporal, may God deliver you ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 34 1888/a little sanctuary.htm