Topical Bible: The Sea: The Wonders of God Seen In

◄ The Sea: The Wonders of God Seen In ►

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The sea, a vast and mysterious expanse, is frequently mentioned in the Bible as a testament to the power, majesty, and creativity of God. It serves as a symbol of both chaos and order, reflecting the divine nature and the wonders of God's creation.

Creation and Sovereignty

In the account of creation, 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 deliberate and good creation of God, highlighting His sovereignty over the natural world.

God's Power and Control

The sea is often used in Scripture to demonstrate God's power and control over creation. In Psalm 89:9 , the psalmist declares, "You rule the raging sea; when its waves mount up, You still them." This imagery is echoed in the New Testament when Jesus calms the stormy sea, showcasing His divine authority. Mark 4:39 recounts, "Then Jesus got up and rebuked the wind and the sea. 'Silence!' He commanded. 'Be still!' And the wind died down, and it was perfectly calm."

Provision and Abundance

The sea is also a source of provision and abundance, reflecting God's care for His creation. In Psalm 104:25-28 , the psalmist describes the sea as teeming with life: "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. All creatures look to You to give them their food in due season. When You give it to them, they gather it up; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things."

Mystery and Depth

The sea's depth and mystery are often used metaphorically to describe the unfathomable nature of God’s wisdom and judgments. In Job 11:7-9 , Zophar challenges Job, "Can you fathom the deep things of God or discover the limits of the Almighty? They are higher than the heavens—what can you do? They are deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Their measure is longer than the earth and wider than the sea."

Judgment and Deliverance

The sea also serves as a backdrop for divine judgment and deliverance. The parting of the Red Sea in Exodus 14 is a pivotal event where God delivers the Israelites from Egyptian bondage, demonstrating His power to save His people. Exodus 14:21-22 records, "Then Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and all that night the LORD drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land. So the waters were divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on their right and on their left."

Eschatological Significance

In eschatological visions, the sea often represents the tumultuous and unpredictable nature of the world. However, in the new creation, the sea is notably absent, symbolizing the end of chaos and the establishment of eternal peace. Revelation 21:1 states, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more."

Throughout Scripture, the sea is a powerful symbol of God's creative power, His provision, His mysterious wisdom, and His ultimate authority over all creation. It serves as a reminder of the wonders of God, inviting believers to trust in His sovereign care and to marvel at His handiwork.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 107:24
These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Triumph. LM God Seen in Nature.
... There is a God"all nature speaks, Through earth, and air, and sea, and skies ... 3 Ye
curious minds, who roam abroad, And trace creation's wonders o'er ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/lorenz/the otterbein hymnal/85 triumph l m god seen.htm

Sin: Its Spring-Head, Stream, and Sea
... The people did not see that their God by all his ... them out of Egypt to kill them at
the Red Sea? ... But if they had understood his wonders, they would have seen ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 37 1891/sin its spring-head stream and.htm

The Providence of God
... Now, that the sea, which is higher than the earth ... The prophet Jonah saw the wonders
of God in the deep ... Thus you have seen that God's providence reaches to all ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/14 the providence of god.htm

The Sea of Glass
... him for ever, 'Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which ... from sun and stars, from
earth and sea,"when they ... wisdom"the lesson which all the wonders of this ...
/.../kingsley/the good news of god/sermon xxxiv the sea of.htm

The Gospel Day Seen in Prophecy.
... the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. ... he him up in his arms, and
blessed God, and said ... find came to pass all the prophetic wonders of salvation ...
//christianbookshelf.org/orr/the gospel day /the gospel day seen in.htm

The Similes Applied to the Whole Universe, Seen and Unseen.
... things go along, water-animals swim, the sea is navigated ... number we cannot mention,
the worker of wonders and marvels ... so again the same Word of God with one ...
/.../select works and letters or athanasius/section 44 the similes applied.htm

Christ Subdues a Storm on the Sea. --Character of the Act as a ...
... from the western to the eastern shore of the sea, in a ... what sort of trust in God
is this, which can so ... the disciples had seen too many of his wonders to ask ...
/.../section 131 christ subdues a.htm

Sixth Day. Holiness and Glory.
... of the Lamb is sung by the sea of glass ... deeper the humbling and the fear in God's
Holy Presence ... O Lord, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?'. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/holy in christ/sixth day holiness and glory.htm

God.
... has cast off His heritage, His love still wonders how that ... proclaimed with as firm
assurance as of God's control of ... it is He who rules the stormy sea and can ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/1 god.htm

His Name --Wonderful!
... You would never know the wonders of God if it were not that you find them out in
the furnace. "They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/his namewonderful.htm