In the Bible, the concept of surfaces is often used both literally and metaphorically to convey various spiritual truths and divine principles. Surfaces, as mentioned in the Scriptures, can refer to the physical aspects of the earth, water, and other elements of creation, as well as the metaphorical surfaces of human hearts and spiritual realities.

Creation and the Earth’s Surface

The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God forms the earth and its surface. Genesis 1:2 states, "Now the earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters." Here, the surface of the deep and the waters signifies the initial state of creation before God brought order and life.

The surface of the earth is also mentioned in the context of God's provision and sustenance. In Genesis 1:29 , God says, "Behold, I have given you every seed-bearing plant on the face of all the earth and every tree whose fruit contains seed. They will be yours for food." The surface of the earth is depicted as a source of sustenance and blessing for humanity.

Water Surfaces and Divine Intervention

Water surfaces play a significant role in biblical narratives, often symbolizing chaos, judgment, or divine intervention. In the account of Noah, the surface of the waters covers the earth as a form of divine judgment. Genesis 7:18 describes, "The waters prevailed and increased greatly on the earth, and the ark floated on the surface of the waters." This event underscores God's sovereignty over creation and His ability to judge and save.

In the New Testament, Jesus demonstrates His authority over the natural world by walking on the surface of the water. Matthew 14:25 recounts, "During the fourth watch of the night, Jesus went out to them, walking on the sea." This miraculous act reveals Jesus' divine nature and His power over the elements.

Metaphorical Surfaces: The Heart and Spiritual Realities

The Bible frequently uses the concept of surfaces metaphorically to describe the condition of the human heart and spiritual realities. In 1 Samuel 16:7 , the Lord tells Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not see as man does. For man sees the outward appearance, but the LORD sees the heart." Here, the surface represents the outward appearance, while God looks beyond to the true nature of a person.

Similarly, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees for their focus on external appearances rather than inner righteousness. In Matthew 23:27 , He says, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity." This metaphor highlights the importance of inner purity over superficial appearances.

Surfaces in Worship and Rituals

In the context of worship and rituals, surfaces are often associated with altars and sacred spaces. The construction and maintenance of these surfaces are detailed in the Old Testament, emphasizing the importance of holiness and reverence. Exodus 20:25 instructs, "If you make an altar of stones for Me, you must not build it with cut stones; for if you use a chisel on it, you will defile it." The surface of the altar is to remain unaltered, symbolizing purity and divine order.

Conclusion

The concept of surfaces in the Bible serves as a multifaceted symbol, representing both the physical world and deeper spiritual truths. Through the literal and metaphorical use of surfaces, Scripture communicates God's creative power, His authority over nature, and the importance of inner righteousness over outward appearances.

Whether by Reason of this Subtlety a Glorified Body is Able to be ...
... Now two points can be coincident, as in the case of two lines touching one another,
and two lines when two surfaces are in contact with one another, and two ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether by reason of this.htm

Much More Versus Much Less
... How can it be possible? But there are other things to see than those which appear
on surfaces, and other eyes to look through than those we generally use. ...
/.../smith/the god of all comfort/chapter 9 much more versus.htm

Walking in the Light
... But just as there are some surfaces which are sensitive to the violet rays, say,
of the spectrum, and not to the others, so John's intense moral earnestness ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/walking in the light.htm

That the Self-Existent Being must be All-Powerful.
... even the very first and most universal principle of gravitation itself, in all matter,
since it is ever proportional, not at all to the surfaces of bodies, or ...
/.../x proposition x that the.htm

Egypt
... clay. Stone was skilfully carved into vessels of different forms, and vases
of clay were fashioned, with brightly polished surfaces. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter v egypt.htm

What was Heard in the Basilica of Peace
... as in the Greek temples, are placed on top of one another in regular layers: the
whole holds together by the weight of the blocks and the polish of the surfaces ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bertrand/saint augustin/ii what was heard in.htm

Fragments of the Books on Arithmetic.
... And these are so, either as determined by the state of the heavens and the air,
or as seen in reflecting and all polished surfaces and in transparent bodies ...
/.../the paschal canon of anatolius of alexandria/fragments of the books on.htm

The Great Stone Face
... Others had their homes in comfortable farmhouses, and cultivated the rich
soil on the gentle slopes or level surfaces of the valley. ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/the great stone face.htm

Unbelieving Belief
... And yet, though identity of experience is not to be expected, men are like each
other in the depths, and only unlike on the surfaces, of their being. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/unbelieving belief.htm

God's Inheritance and Ours
... 'We love Him because He first loved us.' The mirrors are set all round the great
hall, but their surfaces are cold and lifeless until the great candelabrum in ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/gods inheritance and ours.htm

Surfaces (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance Surfaces (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 7:36 On the plates
of its stays, and on its panels, he engraved cherubim ...
/s/surfaces.htm - 6k

Joint (12 Occurrences)
... 1. (n.) The place or part where two things or parts are joined or united; the union
of two or more smooth or even surfaces admitting of a close-fitting or ...
/j/joint.htm - 12k

Mill (9 Occurrences)
... 2. (n.) A machine for grinding or comminuting any substance, as grain, by rubbing
and crushing it between two hard, rough, or indented surfaces; as, a gristmill ...
/m/mill.htm - 18k

Deluge (17 Occurrences)
... For during the entire epoch, and especially at its close, the conditions affecting
the level of the land surfaces of the northern hemisphere were extremely ...
/d/deluge.htm - 47k

Noah (55 Occurrences)
... For during the entire epoch, and especially at its close, the conditions affecting
the level of the land surfaces of the northern hemisphere were extremely ...
/n/noah.htm - 66k

Crafts (2 Occurrences)
... No stone proved too hard for their tools. In Egyptian and Phoenician tombs the
carving was often done on plastered surfaces. See CARVING. ...
/c/crafts.htm - 30k

Nip (1 Occurrence)
... 2. (vt) To catch and enclose or compress tightly between two surfaces, or points
which are brought together or closed; to pinch; to close in upon. ...
/n/nip.htm - 7k

Ulcer (8 Occurrences)
... A solution of continuity in any of the soft parts of the body, discharging purulent
matter, found on a surface, especially one of the natural surfaces of the ...
/u/ulcer.htm - 9k

Ghost (123 Occurrences)
... idea. 4. (n.) A false image formed in a telescope by reflection from the
surfaces of one or more lenses. 5. (vi) To die; to expire. ...
/g/ghost.htm - 39k

Gezer (14 Occurrences)
... was a survival of the ancient name was confirmed by his further discovery of three
bilingual inscriptions, in Hebrew and Greek, cut on surfaces of rock by a ...
/g/gezer.htm - 27k

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