Topical Bible: The Sea: God: Made the Birds and Fished out of

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The sea, a vast and mysterious expanse, is a significant element in the biblical narrative, symbolizing both the power and the providence of God. It is a testament to God's creative authority and His ability to sustain life. The sea is not only a physical entity but also a theological symbol of God's sovereignty and provision.

Creation and Dominion

In the creation account, the sea is one of the first elements to be formed by God. 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, the sea is depicted as a part of the ordered world that God declares good, emphasizing His control over the chaotic waters.

Provision of Life

The sea is portrayed as a source of life, teeming with creatures that God created. Genesis 1:20-21 records, "And God said, 'Let the waters teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open expanse of the sky.' So God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters teemed, according to their kinds, and every bird of flight according to its kind. And God saw that it was good." This passage highlights the abundance and diversity of life that the sea supports, reflecting God's provision and care for His creation.

Sustenance and Miracles

The sea also plays a role in God's miraculous provision for His people. In the New Testament, Jesus performs miracles involving the sea, demonstrating His divine authority. In Matthew 14:25-27 , Jesus walks on the sea, calming the fears of His disciples and revealing His mastery over nature. Additionally, in John 21:6 , after His resurrection, Jesus instructs His disciples to cast their nets on the right side of the boat, resulting in a miraculous catch of fish. This event underscores the sea as a source of sustenance, provided by God's command.

Symbol of God's Power

Throughout Scripture, the sea is a symbol of God's immense power and majesty. In Psalm 104:25-26 , the psalmist declares, "Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number, living things both great and small. There the ships pass, and Leviathan, which You formed to frolic there." The sea, with its vastness and the creatures within it, serves as a reminder of God's creative power and His ability to govern the natural world.

Judgment and Deliverance

The sea is also a setting for divine judgment and deliverance. In the account of Jonah, God uses the sea to redirect the prophet's path, demonstrating His control over nature to fulfill His purposes (Jonah 1:4-17). Similarly, the parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14:21-22 is a powerful act of deliverance for the Israelites, showcasing God's ability to save His people through His command over the sea.

In summary, the sea in the Bible is a multifaceted symbol of God's creative power, provision, and sovereignty. It serves as a backdrop for His miraculous works and a testament to His authority over all creation.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 1:20-22
And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that has life, and fowl that may fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

God's Word not to be Refused
... know it, I could pity you; if you made all your ... lake of fire, more direful than the
Red Sea, shall swallow ... a place where I could find some that God would bless ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 61 1915/gods word not to be.htm

A Letter from a West Indian Cottage Ornee
... the wooded mountain-spurs which rush down into the sea, the islands ... in presence of
the unknown to take refuge in God. ... She has made under a shelf a mud nest of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter v a letter from.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners Or, a Brief Relation of ...
... For once I fell into a creek of the sea, and hardly ... to so much goodness of heart,
as to thank God that He ... the visible world; but by sin he has made himself the ...
/.../bunyan/grace abounding to the chief of sinners/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Soul Winning
... the crucified Redeemer; he whose ministry is much made up of ... Our young men are called
out by God to preach; we ... to Canada, to the islands of the sea, to Scotland ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/soul winning.htm

the Legendary History of Egypt
... first perhaps on the Phoenician shore beyond the sea, and then ... Thy name which is
thine is 'the god whose two twins ... not starved any man, I have not made any to ...
/.../chapter iii -the legendary history of.htm

La Brea
... man's works are beside the works of God; and beyond ... its ablest descendants will probably
have made their choice ... even lately, extended far out to sea; and that ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/at last/chapter viii la brea.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... of skill did cast this net into the sea, such numbers ... flatter them that are not for
leaving of all for God. ... The beauty hereof made men cry out, and say, 'How ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
... For once I fell into a creek of the sea, and hardly ... to so much goodness of heart,
as to thank God that he ... the visible world; but by sin he had made himself the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/grace abounding to the chief.htm