Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical context, the scarcity of water is often depicted as a severe calamity, symbolizing both physical and spiritual desolation. Water, a fundamental necessity for life, is frequently used in Scripture to represent sustenance, blessing, and divine provision. The absence of water, therefore, is portrayed as a dire situation, reflecting both material hardship and spiritual drought.Old Testament Instances The Old Testament provides numerous accounts where the lack of water is seen as a significant trial. In the wilderness journey of the Israelites, the scarcity of water was a recurring challenge. In Exodus 17:1-3 , the people quarreled with Moses, expressing their desperation: "Give us water to drink. Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?" This incident underscores the critical nature of water and the distress its absence causes. Similarly, in 1 Kings 17, the prophet Elijah announces a drought as a judgment upon Israel, leading to a severe famine. The drought, lasting three and a half years, is a direct consequence of the nation's idolatry and serves as a divine instrument to call the people back to repentance. The narrative highlights the dependency of human life on water and the calamity that ensues when it is withheld. Prophetic Literature The prophets often use the imagery of drought to convey spiritual truths. In Jeremiah 14:3-4 , the prophet describes the anguish of the people during a drought: "The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water. Their jars return empty; they are ashamed and humiliated; they cover their heads." This passage illustrates the shame and despair associated with the lack of water, symbolizing the spiritual barrenness of the nation. Amos 8:11 extends this metaphor to a spiritual level: "Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord GOD, when I will send a famine on the land—not a famine of bread or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the LORD." Here, the absence of water parallels the absence of God's word, emphasizing the calamity of spiritual deprivation. New Testament Reflections In the New Testament, the theme of water continues to hold significant spiritual meaning. Jesus, in His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well, speaks of "living water" (John 4:10), offering a solution to spiritual thirst. The absence of this living water, which He alone can provide, is implied as a spiritual calamity, leaving the soul parched and unfulfilled. Revelation 22:17 extends an invitation to all who are spiritually thirsty: "Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who desires take the water of life without price." The imagery of water here is a promise of eternal satisfaction and life, contrasting the calamity of spiritual thirst. Theological Implications The want of water in the biblical narrative serves as a powerful metaphor for the human condition apart from God. Just as physical drought leads to death and despair, spiritual drought results in a life devoid of divine presence and blessing. The Scriptures consistently portray God as the ultimate source of both physical and spiritual sustenance, emphasizing the calamity that ensues when His provision is absent. In summary, the biblical portrayal of water scarcity as a great calamity underscores the essential nature of water for life and the profound spiritual truths it represents. The narratives and metaphors associated with water in the Bible call believers to recognize their dependence on God for both physical sustenance and spiritual fulfillment. Torrey's Topical Textbook Exodus 17:1-3And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the LORD, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 20:2 2 Kings 3:9,10 Isaiah 3:1 Library National Sins and Miseries Concerning the Fortitude of Samson, and what Mischiefs He Brought ... Sedition of the Jews against Pontius Pilate. Concerning Christ ... The Siege and Taking of Gamala. 1 Thessalonians v. 19-22 And ii. Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ... Through the Fall and Revolt of Adam, the Whole Human Race Made ... Philippians iv. 14-Oct Psalm LXXXVIII. 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) |