Dictionary of Bible Themes A state of complete disorder or confusion. The first stage of creation where, having brought something out of nothing, God had not yet brought order to the universe. This primeval chaos, often symbolised by surging waters, threatens to disrupt God's order at any time. God sometimes allows a return to chaos as judgment. Genesis 1:1-2God creates order out of chaos See also God creates something out of nothing Psalms 33:9; 148:5-6Romans 4:17 Hebrews 11:3 Isaiah 45:12 See also God brings order to his creation Genesis 1:14-19Job 9:8 Psalms 8:3 Isaiah 48:13 Psalms 104:29 Chaos threatens God's order Colossians 1:16-17Life and order in creation must be sustained by God See also Job 12:10; 34:14-15Isaiah 42:5 Hebrews 1:2-3 Psalms 46:2-3 The raging sea as a symbol of chaos Psalms 104:7-9See also The raging sea is a frequent symbol of the chaos from which the world was created and to which it could return. Yet those whose confidence is in the God who brought order out of chaos have nothing to fear Exodus 15:8Psalms 69:2,15; 77:16 Proverbs 8:29 Zechariah 10:11 Matthew 8:23-27 pp Mk 4:36-41 Isaiah 17:12-13pp Lk 8:22-25 See also Threatening nations are likened to the raging seas as bringers of chaos Psalms 46:6Jeremiah 46:7 Judges 17:6 Spiritual and political chaos Ephesians 4:14See also A period of anarchy, when no spiritual or political authority was recognised in Israel Galatians 1:7Isaiah 34:11 God uses chaos as a judgment See also Isaiah 24:1,3-4,10-12,17-21; 27:10; 32:14Zephaniah 1:14-15 Revelation 6:15-17 Jonah 2:3 See also Floodwaters as a symbol of the chaos of judgment Genesis 6:17Job 20:28; 22:16 Isaiah 8:7 Zechariah 14:13 See also Panic and destruction characterise the chaos that follows judgment Judges 7:221 Samuel 14:20 2 Chronicles 20:22-23 Isaiah 19:2 Ezekiel 38:21 Haggai 2:22 See also 3296 Holy Spirit in the world4005 creation 4065 orderliness 4266 sea 4809 darkness 5817 conspiracies 9140 last days 9210 judgment, God's |
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