Topical Bible: The Sea: The Shore of, Covered With Sand

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Topical Encyclopedia

The imagery of the sea and its sandy shore is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, symbolizing the vastness of God's creation, His promises, and His power. The shore, covered with sand, serves as a metaphor for innumerable quantities and the boundless nature of God's blessings and covenant promises.

Biblical References and Symbolism

1. God's Promise to Abraham: The sand on the seashore is used as a metaphor for the multitude of Abraham's descendants. In Genesis 22:17 , God promises Abraham, "I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore." This imagery emphasizes the vastness and uncountable nature of God's promise to Abraham, highlighting the faithfulness and abundance of God's covenant.

2. The Power of God: The sea and its shore are also used to demonstrate God's sovereign power over creation. In Jeremiah 5:22 , God declares, "Do you not fear Me? declares the LORD. Do you not tremble before Me, the One who set the sand as the boundary for the sea, an enduring barrier it cannot cross?" Here, the sand acts as a boundary set by God, showcasing His control over the natural world and His ability to establish limits that even the mighty sea cannot surpass.

3. The Incalculable Nature of God's Thoughts: The psalmist uses the imagery of sand to describe the innumerable thoughts of God. In Psalm 139:17-18 , it is written, "How precious to me are Your thoughts, O God, how vast is their sum! If I were to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand." This passage reflects the infinite wisdom and care of God, whose thoughts and plans for His people are beyond human comprehension.

4. The Promise to Jacob: Similar to the promise given to Abraham, God reiterates His covenant to Jacob, using the sand on the seashore as a symbol of abundance. In Genesis 32:12 , Jacob recalls God's promise: "But You have said, 'I will surely make you prosper and will make your descendants like the sand of the sea, which cannot be counted.'" This reinforces the continuity of God's promises through the patriarchs and His unwavering commitment to His chosen people.

5. The Multitude of Israel: The prophet Hosea speaks of the future restoration and growth of Israel, using the metaphor of sand. Hosea 1:10 states, "Yet the number of the Israelites will be like the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured or counted." This prophecy points to the future fulfillment of God's promises and the expansion of His people, despite their current circumstances.

Theological Implications

The imagery of the sea's sandy shore serves as a powerful reminder of God's infinite nature and His ability to fulfill His promises beyond human understanding. It underscores the themes of abundance, faithfulness, and divine sovereignty. The countless grains of sand symbolize the immeasurable blessings and the enduring nature of God's covenant with His people. Through this imagery, believers are encouraged to trust in God's promises and His overarching plan for humanity, assured of His boundless grace and provision.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Genesis 22:17
That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is on the sea shore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 4:29
And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the sea shore.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Job 6:3
For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 78:27
He rained flesh also on them as dust, and feathered fowls like as the sand of the sea:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Through the Red Sea
... It discovered only the sea, raving and stormy, and afar to the west a misty, vacant,
lifeless line of shore. "And the waters returned and covered the chariots ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xlv through the red.htm

Sin Immeasurable
... might sooner tell the grains of sand on the sea-shore, than the ... You have been at
sea, sir. ... the fountains of the great deep, and then they covered the mountains ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/sin immeasurable.htm

The Exodus
... Again: the children of Israel went out of Egypt covered with jewels ... remember that
God hath promised to Abraham""As the sand upon the sea shore, even so ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 2 1856/the exodus.htm

The Story of Hagar and Ishmael
... that as the number of people grew, they covered much more ... wandered northwest until
they came to the shore of the ... in the southwest, not far from the Great Sea. ...
/.../marshall/the wonder book of bible stories/the story of hagar and.htm

The Death of Darius.
... of their enemies and fairly at sea, they were ... other mutilated and ghastly remains
which covered the ground. ... They followed the shore of the peninsula until they ...
//christianbookshelf.org/abbott/darius the great/chapter xii the death of.htm

God's Barriers against Man's Sin
... The sea obeys me from shore to shore, without reluctance ... in his purity, so easily
as the mighty sea. ... has become corrupt it is altogether covered with iniquity. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/gods barriers against mans sin.htm

Upon the Gathering Together of the Waters.
... because of the mass of water that entirely covered it ... Thus we often see the furious
sea raising mighty waves ... and, when once it has touched the shore, break its ...
/.../basil/basil letters and select works/homily iv upon the gathering.htm

Everybody's Sermon
... in whiteness of pardon, and thy poor black soul shall be covered with the ... in check
with a belt of sand; he spreads the sand along the sea-shore and even ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/everybodys sermon.htm

On a Piece of Chalk. A Lecture to Working Men.
... is now covered by 1,700 fathoms of sea-water. ... gradually leads, for about 300 miles,
to the Newfoundland shore. ... in a north and south direction) is covered by a ...
/.../huxley/lay sermons addresses and reviews/ix on a piece of.htm

Andromeda
... Zeus in the depths of the brass-covered dungeon; Neither in ... in glistening purple
Cold on the cold sea-weeds lay ... of Nereus Ranges, the king of the shore; if he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/kingsley/andromeda and other poems/andromeda.htm