Bible metaphors, similes, symbols, figures, etc.-WATER

[kyredneck]

I'm interested in a group effort to explore the 'other than literal' use of WATER in the scriptures. Please keep the posts concise, one example at a time (if possible), and refrain from derailing the thread into C vs A.

My first example is:
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith Jehovah.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
10 For as the rain cometh down and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, and giveth seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
11 so shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it. Isa 55

IMO, this perfectly describes sound gospel preaching, i.e., food for the flock. Acts of the Apostles 20:28

 

[canadyjd]

I’ve heard it described as the condescension of God toward us. That is, God is so different from us that He speaks to us in a manner we can understand.

What better way than to use water. Nothing lives without water, that I know of anyone. Everyone that lives knows they cannot survive beyond a few days without water.

As I’m sure you know, the movement of God Holy Spirit is often connected to the movement of water and wind, from Genesis 1 and beyond.

Interesting thread

peace to you

 

[Van]

In the example of Isaiah 55:10-11, water from heaven accomplishes its purpose illustrating that God's word accomplishes its purpose.

 

[kyredneck]

Nothing lives without water

2 My doctrine shall drop as the rain; My speech shall distil as the dew, As the small rain upon the tender grass, And as the showers upon the herb. Dt 32

 

[kyredneck]

25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself up for it;
26 that he might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word, Eph 5
(Ezekiel 36:24-25)

 

[kyredneck]

11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Jehovah. Amos 8

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Jehovah. Amos 8

Good verse, but that one sounds rather literal, does it not?

 

[AustinC]

The symbolism in Zechariah 4 finds it's fullness in Christ Jesus who is the true "Zerubabel." The two anointed ones are the true Israel of God, the church. John calls us back to this in Revelation 11.

*Zechariah 4:1-14*
And the angel who talked with me came again and woke me, like a man who is awakened out of his sleep. And he said to me, “What do you see?” I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold, with a bowl on the top of it, and seven lamps on it, with seven lips on each of the lamps that are on the top of it. And there are two olive trees by it, one on the right of the bowl and the other on its left.” And I said to the angel who talked with me, “What are these, my lord?” Then the angel who talked with me answered and said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” Then he said to me, “This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel: Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts. Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. And he shall bring forward the top stone amid shouts of ‘Grace, grace to it!’” Then the word of the Lord came to me, saying, “The hands of Zerubbabel have laid the foundation of this house; his hands shall also complete it. Then you will know that the Lord of hosts has sent me to you. For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice, and shall see the plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. “These seven are the eyes of the Lord, which range through the whole earth.” Then I said to him, “What are these two olive trees on the right and the left of the lampstand?” And a second time I answered and said to him, “What are these two branches of the olive trees, which are beside the two golden pipes from which the golden oil is poured out?” He said to me, “Do you not know what these are?” I said, “No, my lord.” Then he said, “These are the two anointed ones who stand by the Lord of the whole earth.”

 

[kyredneck]

11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Jehovah. Amos 8

Good verse, but that one sounds rather literal, does it not?

In this sense that the scriptures typify water I should have expanded the topic to include necessary sustenance in general (water AND food), which is often used as illustration in proximity with 'God's word/wisdom/knowledge/law/statutes/doctrine/commandments' to denote its absolute necessity for our well-being.

13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity for lack of knowledge; and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude are parched with thirst. Isa 5:13

 

[RighteousnessTemperance&]

11 Behold, the days come, saith the Lord Jehovah, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Jehovah. Amos 8



In this sense that the scriptures typify water I should have expanded the topic to include necessary sustenance in general (water AND food), which is often used as illustration in proximity with 'God's word/wisdom/knowledge/law/statutes/doctrine/commandments' to denote its absolute necessity for our well-being.

13 Therefore my people are gone into captivity for lack of knowledge; and their honorable men are famished, and their multitude are parched with thirst. Isa 5:13

Yes, and there is a water related metaphor in 8:11--thirst.

 

[Scarlett O.]

@kyredneck,

I thought about you and this thread yesterday in my Bible reading. I was reading 2 Peter about false prophets.

2 Peter 2:17 - "These [false prophets] are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved."

To me, this says that false prophets are empty as empty can be. Void of anything righteous, their words giving NO holy help.

 

[kyredneck]

Yes, and there is a water related metaphor in 8:11--thirst.

6 Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Mt 5

 

[kyredneck]

2 Peter 2:17 - "These [false prophets] are waterless springs and mists driven by a storm. For them the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved."

To me, this says that false prophets are empty as empty can be. Void of anything righteous, their words giving NO holy help.

Jude, referring to those same false prophets:

12 These are they who are hidden rocks in your love-feasts when they feast with you, shepherds that without fear feed themselves; clouds without water, carried along by winds; autumn leaves without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots; Jude

These false p[rophets have no 'living water':

38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, from within him shall flow rivers of living water. Jn 7

 

[kyredneck]

13 For my people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns, broken cisterns, that can hold no water. Jer 2

13 O Jehovah, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be put to shame. They that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken Jehovah, the fountain of living waters. Jer 17

 

[kyredneck]

What does 'water' signify here?:

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except one be born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God! Jn 3