Topical Encyclopedia Water, a fundamental element of creation, holds significant theological and historical importance within the biblical narrative. It is both a symbol of life and a means of divine judgment. One of the most profound instances of water as an instrument of God's judgment is the account of the Great Flood, which serves as a pivotal event in the early chapters of Genesis.The Great Flood The Great Flood, as recorded in Genesis 6-9, is a cataclysmic event where God used water to cleanse the earth of its widespread corruption and violence. The narrative begins with God's observation of humanity's wickedness: "The LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great upon the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was altogether evil all the time" (Genesis 6:5). In response to this pervasive sinfulness, God decided to "wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth" (Genesis 6:7). Noah and the Ark Amidst this judgment, Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Described as "a righteous man, blameless in his generation" (Genesis 6:9), Noah was chosen by God to preserve a remnant of life. God instructed Noah to build an ark, a massive vessel designed to withstand the deluge. The ark was to house Noah's family and pairs of every living creature, ensuring the continuity of life post-flood. The Deluge The floodwaters were unleashed as "all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened" (Genesis 7:11). For forty days and nights, rain fell upon the earth, submerging even the highest mountains. "Every living thing that moved on the earth perished—birds, livestock, animals, every creature that swarms upon the earth, and all mankind" (Genesis 7:21). The waters prevailed on the earth for 150 days, demonstrating the totality of God's judgment. Covenant and Promise After the floodwaters receded, Noah, his family, and the animals emerged from the ark to a renewed earth. God established a covenant with Noah, promising never again to destroy all life with a flood. The sign of this covenant was the rainbow: "I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be a sign of the covenant between Me and the earth" (Genesis 9:13). This covenant underscores God's mercy and faithfulness, even in the face of human sinfulness. Theological Significance The Great Flood narrative serves as a powerful reminder of God's holiness and justice. It illustrates the severity of sin and the lengths to which God will go to restore righteousness. At the same time, it highlights God's grace, as seen in the preservation of Noah and the establishment of a covenant. The flood is a precursor to the ultimate redemption found in Jesus Christ, who offers salvation from the judgment of sin. Symbolism of Water Throughout Scripture, water continues to symbolize both judgment and purification. In the New Testament, baptism by water signifies the believer's identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, marking a spiritual cleansing and rebirth. As such, water remains a profound symbol of God's power to judge and to save, reflecting His sovereign will and redemptive purposes. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 7:20-23Fifteen cubits upward did the waters prevail; and the mountains were covered. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Peter 3:6 Library Law and Grace God did not Make Evil, nor is He at all in any Way the Author of ... The Burning of Athens. The Saviour's Many Crowns The Apocalypse of Baruch. The Adventures of Saint George of England. The Cause and Cure of Earthquakes Mosaic Cosmogony. Letter Xlvi. Paula and Eustochium to Marcella. The World Turned Upside Down Resources What is the symbolism of water baptism? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does the Bible say about holy water? | GotQuestions.org What did Jesus mean when He spoke of living 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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