Topical Bible: The Earth: God: Waters

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The concept of waters in the Bible is deeply intertwined with the creative and sustaining power of God. From the very beginning of Scripture, waters are depicted as a fundamental element of the earth, shaped and governed by the divine will.

Creation and Separation of Waters

In the creation narrative, waters are among the first elements mentioned. 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, waters symbolize the primordial chaos that God orders and structures. On the second day of creation, God separates the waters, establishing the sky and the seas: "And God said, 'Let there be an expanse between the waters, to separate the waters from the waters.' So God made the expanse and separated the waters beneath it from the waters above. And it was so" (Genesis 1:6-7).

The Flood and Divine Judgment

Waters also serve as instruments of divine judgment and renewal. The account of Noah's Flood in Genesis 6-9 illustrates this dual role. God uses the waters to cleanse the earth of its corruption, preserving only Noah, his family, and the animals aboard the ark. Genesis 7:11-12 describes the unleashing of the waters: "On that day all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened. And the rain fell upon the earth for forty days and forty nights." The floodwaters, while destructive, also pave the way for a new beginning, underscoring God's sovereignty over creation.

Waters as a Symbol of Life and Provision

Throughout Scripture, waters are frequently associated with life and divine provision. In the wilderness, God provides water for the Israelites, demonstrating His care and sustenance. Exodus 17:6 recounts, "Behold, I will stand there before you by the rock at Horeb. And when you strike the rock, water will come out of it for the people to drink." This miraculous provision highlights God's ability to sustain His people even in desolate places.

Waters in Prophetic and Poetic Imagery

The prophets and psalmists often use waters as metaphors for God's power and presence. In Isaiah 43:2 , God reassures His people, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you go through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you." Here, waters symbolize trials and challenges, yet God's promise of protection remains steadfast.

The Psalms frequently celebrate God's dominion over the waters. Psalm 29:3-4 declares, "The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty." This imagery emphasizes God's authority and the awe-inspiring nature of His voice, which commands even the mightiest of natural forces.

Waters in the New Testament

In the New Testament, waters continue to play a significant role, particularly in the ministry of Jesus. His baptism in the Jordan River marks the beginning of His public ministry and signifies purification and the anointing of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:13-17). Furthermore, Jesus' calming of the storm on the Sea of Galilee (Mark 4:39) demonstrates His mastery over the natural world, reinforcing His divine identity.

The imagery of living water is central to Jesus' teaching. In John 4:14 , He tells the Samaritan woman, "But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a fount of water springing up to eternal life." This metaphor highlights the spiritual sustenance and eternal life that Jesus offers.

Eschatological Significance

In the book of Revelation, waters are part of the eschatological vision of the new creation. Revelation 22:1 describes, "Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb." This river symbolizes the eternal life and unending provision that will characterize the new heaven and new earth, where God's presence will dwell with His people forever.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 65:9
You visit the earth, and water it: you greatly enrich it with the river of God, which is full of water: you prepare them corn, when you have so provided for it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 147:8
Who covers the heaven with clouds, who prepares rain for the earth, who makes grass to grow on the mountains.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Concerning the Waters.
... By the divine decree hollow places are made in the earth, and so into these the
waters are gathered. And this is how mountains are formed. God, then, bade the ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter ix concerning the waters.htm

The Six Days' Work Described.
... appeared. And God called the dry land Earth, and the gathering together of
the waters He called Seas: and God saw that it was good. And ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xi the six days work.htm

The Story of Creation
... And it was done. And God called the dry land Earth and the waters that
were brought together Seas. And God saw that it was good. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the story of creation.htm

Concerning Earth and Its Products.
... Indeed, before the transgression all things were under his power. For God set
him as ruler over all things on the earth and in the waters. ...
/.../john/exposition of the orthodox faith/chapter x concerning earth and its.htm

Sections ii. , iii. And the Lord Said: "And I Will Bring the ...
... And the Lord Said: "And I Will Bring the Waters of the Flood Upon the Earth to Destroy
All ... Therefore God gave intimation to Noah, and informed him of the ...
/.../the extant works and fragments of hippolytus/sections ii iii and the.htm

The Beginning of Things. Away Back in the Beginning of Things God ...
... At first it was all dark, and the earth had no form, but God was building a home
for us, and his work went on through ... Then God divided the waters, so that ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter i the beginning of.htm

Remarks on the Creation of the World.
... by "the deep" he means the multitude of waters; and "darkness" he speaks of, on
account of the heaven which God made covering the waters and the earth like a ...
/.../theophilus/theophilus to autolycus/chapter xiii remarks on the creation.htm

The Host of Heaven and of Earth.
... says in Genesis 1:2: "The earth was without form and void, and darkness was upon
the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the waters." See also ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/vi the host of heaven.htm

The Healing of the Waters
... He declared, "Ye are the salt of the earth." Matthew 5 ... with the polluted spring purified
its waters and brought ... When God compares His children to salt, He would ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 18 the healing of.htm

God's Approbation of his Works
... 11. The Lord God afterward peopled the earth with animals of every kind. He first
commanded the waters to bring forth abundantly; " to bring forth creatures ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 56 gods approbation of.htm