Topical Encyclopedia In biblical literature, water often symbolizes life, purification, and divine provision. However, it also serves as a metaphor for the challenges and consequences of human behavior, particularly in the context of strife and contention. The imagery of water is used to illustrate the difficulty of halting disputes once they have begun, akin to the unstoppable flow of water once it is unleashed.The book of Proverbs provides a poignant illustration of this concept. Proverbs 17:14 states, "To start a quarrel is to release a flood; so abandon the dispute before it breaks out." This verse underscores the idea that initiating conflict is like opening the floodgates of a dam. Once the waters of strife are released, they are difficult to control and can lead to widespread damage and destruction. The wisdom literature of the Bible thus advises individuals to avoid engaging in disputes, recognizing the potential for escalation and the difficulty of restoring peace once contention has begun. The metaphor of water in the context of strife is further emphasized in the narrative of Isaac's wells in Genesis 26. Isaac's servants dug wells in the Valley of Gerar, but the herdsmen of Gerar quarreled with Isaac's herdsmen over the water. Each well became a point of contention, illustrating how essential resources can become sources of conflict. Isaac's response was to move on and dig new wells, demonstrating a commitment to peace and the avoidance of prolonged strife. In the New Testament, James 3:16 warns, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every evil practice." This passage highlights the destructive nature of unchecked strife, akin to a torrent of water that brings chaos and harm. The apostle James encourages believers to seek wisdom from above, which is "first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere" (James 3:17). Such wisdom acts as a dam, holding back the waters of contention and fostering an environment of peace and reconciliation. The biblical perspective on strife and contention, using the metaphor of water, serves as a timeless reminder of the importance of pursuing peace and exercising restraint. Just as water, once released, can carve paths of destruction, so too can unchecked disputes lead to lasting harm. The call to abandon quarrels before they escalate is a call to embody the peace and wisdom that reflect the character of God, who desires harmony among His people. Torrey's Topical Textbook Proverbs 17:14The beginning of strife is as when one lets out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with. Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Cambridge Platform and the Half-Way Covenant Sermons on Selected Lessons of the Gospels. Answer to Eunomius' Second Book . Resources What is the water of life? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the meaning of bitter water in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org What does it mean to be born of water? | GotQuestions.org Water: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Water in Times of Scarcity, Sold at an Enormous Price Water of Bitterness or of Jealousy Water of Separation or of Uncleanness Water of the Gifts and Graces of the Holy Spirit Water was Used by Jews for Culinary Purposes Water was Used by Jews for Legal Purification Water was Used by Jews for Washing the Person Water was Used by Jews: As Their Principal Beverage Water: (Covering the Sea) of the General Diffusion of The Water: (Deep) of Counsel in the Heart Water: (Deep) of Severe Affliction Water: (Deep) of the Words of the Wise Water: (Difficulty of Stopping) of Strife and Contention Water: (Its Instability) of a Wavering Disposition Water: (Its Weakness) of Faintness and Cowardice Water: (Many) of a Variety of Afflictions Water: (Many) of Different Nations and People Water: (Noise of Many) of the Word of Christ Water: (Poured Out) Faintness by Terror Water: (Poured Out) the Wrath of God Water: (Pouring, out of Buckets) a Numerous Progeny Water: (Rapidly Flowing Away) the Career of the Wicked Water: (Spilled on the Ground) Death Water: (Still) the Ordinances of the Gospel Water: Artificial Mode of Conveying, Into Large Cities Water: Collected in The Clouds Water: Covered the Whole Earth Water: Drops from the Clouds in Rain Water: Frequently Brackish and Unfit for Use Water: God Originally: Collected Into One Place Water: God Originally: Created Fowls and Fishes From Water: God Originally: Created the Firmament to Divide Water: Kept for Purification in Large Waterpots Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Jaw-Bone of an Ass Water: Miracles Connected With: Brought from the Rock Water: Miracles Connected With: Consumed by Fire from Heaven Water: Miracles Connected With: Divided and Made to Stand on Heap Water: Miracles Connected With: Healing Powers Communicated To Water: Miracles Connected With: Iron Made to Swim In Water: Miracles Connected With: Our Lord Walking On Water: Miracles Connected With: Trenches Filled With Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Blood Water: Miracles Connected With: Turned Into Wine Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Jehoshaphat's Army Water: Miraculously Supplied: To Samson Water: Miraculously Supplied: To the Israelites Water: Necessary to the Comfort and Happiness of Man Water: Necessary to Vegetation Water: One of the Elements of the World Water: Rises in Vapour to the Clouds Water: some Plants Particularly Require Water: The Want of, Considered a Great Calamity Water: The World and Its Inhabitants Once Destroyed By Water: The World not to be Again Destroyed By Water: Wearing the Hardest Substances Related Terms Water-springs (12 Occurrences) |
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