Topical Bible: The Sea: God: Does What he Pleases In

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The sea, a vast and mysterious expanse, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a symbol of God's power and sovereignty. Throughout Scripture, the sea serves as a backdrop for divine intervention and a testament to God's authority over creation. The Berean Standard Bible provides several passages that highlight God's dominion over the sea, illustrating that He does what He pleases in this mighty realm.

God's Sovereignty Over the Sea

The Bible consistently affirms that God exercises complete control over the sea. In Psalm 135:6, it is written, "The LORD does whatever pleases Him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths." This verse underscores the belief that God's will is executed without hindrance, whether in the celestial realms, on land, or within the depths of the ocean. The sea, with its unpredictable and often tumultuous nature, is no exception to God's sovereign rule.

Creation and Command of the Sea

From the very beginning, God established His authority over the sea. In Genesis 1:9-10, God commands the waters to be gathered into one place, allowing dry land to appear. This act of creation demonstrates His power to shape and order the natural world. Furthermore, in Job 38:8-11, God challenges Job by asking, "Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb... when I fixed its boundaries and set in place its bars and doors, and I declared: 'You may come this far, but no farther; here your proud waves must stop'?" These passages reveal God's ability to set limits and boundaries for the sea, emphasizing His control over its vastness.

Miracles and Mastery Over the Sea

Throughout biblical history, God has performed miracles involving the sea to demonstrate His supremacy. One of the most notable events is the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14:21-22, where "Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and turned it into dry land." This miraculous event allowed the Israelites to escape from the pursuing Egyptians, showcasing God's power to manipulate the sea for His purposes.

In the New Testament, Jesus, who is recognized as God incarnate, further illustrates divine mastery over the sea. In Matthew 8:26-27, Jesus rebukes the winds and the sea during a storm, resulting in a great calm. The disciples, witnessing this, marvel and ask, "What kind of man is this? Even the winds and the sea obey Him!" This account reinforces the belief that God's authority over the sea is absolute and extends to His Son.

The Sea as a Symbol of Chaos and God's Order

In biblical literature, the sea often symbolizes chaos and disorder. Yet, God's ability to bring order out of chaos is a recurring theme. In Revelation 21:1, John describes a new heaven and a new earth, noting, "the sea was no more." This imagery suggests the ultimate triumph of God's order over chaos, as the sea, a symbol of turmoil, is eradicated in the new creation.

Conclusion

The sea, with its immense power and mystery, serves as a profound testament to God's sovereignty and ability to do as He pleases. Through creation, miracles, and the ultimate promise of a new order, the Bible consistently portrays God as the supreme ruler over the sea, affirming His authority and control over all aspects of the natural world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 135:6
Whatever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Power of God
... He does according to his will in the army of heaven ... Who sets bounds to the sea, and
bridles the proud ... God is the supreme monarch, all power is seated originally ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/6 the power of god.htm

God's Sovereignty Defined
... and display His hand as He did at the Red Sea? ... The answer to all of these questions
is, Because God is Sovereign, and being Sovereign He does as He ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter one gods sovereignty defined.htm

Sovereignty of God in Administration
... of the air, fishes of the sea, all perform ... endowed with moral responsibility, and
therefore God must leave ... Does it necessarily follow because the natural man ...
/.../pink/the sovereignty of god/chapter three sovereignty of god.htm

God's Providence
... he could girdle this globe with mountains, or move the hills into the sea. ... have said,
Man does as he likes; and others have said, God does as he pleases. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 54 1908/gods providence.htm

God did not Make Evil, nor is He at all in any Way the Author of ...
... that the universe will be utterly destroyed, and sea and air ... Neither did God, as
if He had made man badly, or ... For He does not fail in making what is good, nor ...
/.../methodius/from the discourse on the resurrection/part i god did not.htm

The World, Created by God, Still Cherished and Protected by Him. ...
... ravenous beasts; if a sudden gust of wind at sea causes shipwreck ... ten degrees (2
Kings 20:11); by these miracles God declared that the sun does not daily ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 16 the world created.htm

The Absolute Godhood of God is Seen in Administration
... Is.38:8). At His command the Red Sea ceased to flow ... of disease will hurt us in vain
until God shall permit ... Our life does not even depend upon the care of angels ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the godhood of god/2 the absolute godhood of.htm

The Mercy of God
... Whence is it God does not presently arrest and condemn them? ... God's mercy can pardon
great sins, nay, because they are ... The sea covers the rocks as well as the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/9 the mercy of god.htm

God in the Covenant
... here is a very sea of bliss, a very ocean of delight; come, bathe ... to give him his
bread, and water, and raiment; nor does he mind making God somewhat of a ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/god in the covenant.htm

God, the All-Seeing One
... That silent grot within the sea where pearls lie deep ... And again, further, not only
does he know the place where ... beasts?" Our simple reply is that God can track ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/god the all-seeing one.htm