Topical Bible: The Sea: God: Shakes, by his Word

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The sea, a vast and powerful element of creation, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of chaos, mystery, and the unknown. Yet, it is also depicted as being under the sovereign control of God, who can command and shake it by His word. This theme underscores the omnipotence of God over all creation, including the mighty and often unpredictable seas.

Biblical References:

1. Creation and Sovereignty:
The Bible begins with the account of creation, where God establishes His authority over the waters. Genesis 1:9-10 states, "And God said, 'Let the waters under the heavens be gathered into one place, so that the dry land may appear.' And it was so. God called the dry land 'earth,' and the gathering of waters He called 'seas.' And God saw that it was good." Here, God's word brings order to the primordial chaos, demonstrating His power to shape and define the seas.

2. God's Power Over the Sea:
In the book of Job, God's control over the sea is vividly described. Job 26:12 declares, "By His power He stilled the sea, and by His understanding He shattered Rahab." This passage highlights God's ability to calm the sea and subdue any forces of chaos, represented by the mythical sea creature Rahab.

3. The Psalms:
The Psalms frequently celebrate God's dominion over the sea. Psalm 89:9 proclaims, "You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them." This verse emphasizes God's authority to command the sea and bring peace to its tumultuous waves.

4. Prophetic Imagery:
The prophets also speak of God's power to shake the sea. In Isaiah 51:15 , God declares, "For I am the LORD your God who stirs up the sea so that its waves roar—the LORD of Hosts is His name." This imagery serves as a reminder of God's might and His ability to control the natural world.

5. New Testament Affirmation:
The New Testament continues this theme, with Jesus demonstrating divine authority over the sea. In Mark 4:39 , during a storm on the Sea of Galilee, "He got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. 'Silence!' He commanded. 'Be still!' And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm." Jesus' command over the sea affirms His identity as God incarnate, possessing the same power to control the elements.

Theological Significance:

The biblical portrayal of God shaking the sea by His word serves as a powerful testament to His supreme authority over creation. It reassures believers of God's ability to bring order out of chaos and to protect and deliver His people from the forces of nature. This theme also invites reflection on the majesty and mystery of God's creation, encouraging a posture of awe and reverence before the Creator who commands the seas.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Haggai 2:6
For thus said the LORD of hosts; Yet once, it is a little while, and I will shake the heavens, and the earth, and the sea, and the dry land;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Power of God
... earthquake makes the earth tremble upon her pillars, but God shakes it out ... he would
have chained the waters; but when God speaks, the wind and sea obey him ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/6 the power of god.htm

God the Thunderer; Or, the Last Judgment and Hell. *
... 2 His sounding chariot shakes the sky, He makes the clouds ... soul, the dreadful day
When this incensed God Shall rend the sky, and burn the sea, And fling ...
/.../watts/hymns and spiritual songs/hymn 0 126388889 god the thunderer.htm

God the Thunderer; Or, the Last Judgment and Hell.
... Stand trembling at his power. His sounding chariot shakes the sky,. ... When this incensed
God. Shall rend the sky, and burn the sea,. And fling his wrath abroad. ...
/.../watts/the psalms and hymns of isaac watts/hymn 62 god the thunderer.htm

The Knight of God
... Over the wild sea. ... like a frightened hare, that lies hidden in a bush, and shakes
and trembles at ... thou hast hither been." And then did he look up to God and say ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/bevan/three friends of god/chapter lii the knight of.htm

The Need of Scripture, as a Guide and Teacher, in Coming to God as ...
... in thunder, wind, rain, whirlwind, and tempest, shakes the earth ... unbelievers being
deaf to all God's words when ... the raging billows of the sea, thus concludes ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 6 the need of.htm

God's Banished Ones
... in the luxurious islands of the Southern Sea you will ... For it shakes the very foundations
on which the ... men are right in holding that certainly God must pardon ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/gods banished ones.htm

The Wisdom of God
... to save Jonah when he was cast into the sea, and he ... When God shakes the tree of the
body, he is gathering the ... Isaiah 27:7. (3.) In case of God's providences to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/5 the wisdom of god.htm

The City and River of God
... tumultuous billows of the troubled sea, which shakes the mountain ... the utterance of
the pure will of God conquers all ... congealed in the heart of the sea'"as if ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the city and river of.htm

The Fact of the Redeemer's Return is Illustrated in the Gospel ...
... pull at its oars, but it cannot still the sea"the storm ... Hades shall not prevail against
it," and blessed be God they have ... For the shout that shakes the prison ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the redeemers return/6 the fact of the.htm

Its Problem
... dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there ... power melts the mountains, whose
anger shakes the earth ... is really brought into the presence of God, and is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the doctrine of justification/3 its problem.htm