In biblical terminology, the term "waster" is often associated with destruction and desolation, typically as an instrument of divine judgment or as a representation of evil forces. The concept of a "waster" is found in various passages throughout the Bible, where it is used to describe both human and supernatural agents of ruin.

Scriptural References:

1. Isaiah 54:16 : "Behold, I have created the craftsman who fans the coals into flame and forges a weapon fit for its task. And I have created the destroyer to wreak havoc." In this passage, the "destroyer" or "waster" is depicted as a tool fashioned by God for a specific purpose. This highlights the sovereignty of God over all creation, including those who bring about destruction. The verse underscores the idea that even forces of devastation are under divine control and serve a role within God's overarching plan.

2. Jeremiah 51:56 : "For a destroyer is coming against her, against Babylon. Her warriors will be captured, and their bows will be broken, for the LORD is a God of retribution; He will repay in full." Here, the "destroyer" is a prophetic figure of judgment against Babylon, symbolizing the impending doom and divine retribution that awaits the city. This reflects the biblical theme of God using nations and individuals as instruments to execute His judgment upon those who oppose His will.

3. Joel 1:4 : "What the devouring locust has left, the swarming locust has eaten; what the swarming locust has left, the young locust has eaten; and what the young locust has left, the destroying locust has eaten." The imagery of locusts as "wasters" in Joel emphasizes the totality of destruction that can befall a land as a consequence of sin and disobedience. The locusts serve as a metaphor for the relentless and consuming nature of divine judgment.

Theological Implications:

The concept of a "waster" in the Bible is intricately linked to the themes of judgment, sovereignty, and the moral order established by God. The presence of wasters serves as a reminder of the consequences of sin and the reality of divine justice. It also reflects the belief that God, in His omnipotence, can use even the forces of destruction to fulfill His purposes and bring about His ultimate plan for redemption and restoration.

Symbolism and Interpretation:

In a broader symbolic sense, the "waster" can be seen as representing the destructive power of sin and evil in the world. It serves as a cautionary symbol, warning believers of the spiritual and moral decay that can result from turning away from God's commandments. The imagery of the waster calls for vigilance and repentance, urging individuals and nations to align themselves with God's will to avoid the devastation that accompanies disobedience.

Conclusion:

While the term "waster" may evoke fear and foreboding, it also serves as a testament to God's control over all aspects of creation, including those that seem chaotic and destructive. It reassures believers of the ultimate triumph of God's justice and the hope of restoration for those who remain faithful to His covenant.1. (n.) One who, or that which, wastes; one who squanders; one who consumes or expends extravagantly; a spendthrift; a prodigal.

2. (n.) An imperfection in the wick of a candle, causing it to waste; -- called also a thief.

3. (n.) A kind of cudgel; also, a blunt-edged sword used as a foil.

1111. Balaq -- "devastator," a Moabite king
... Balak's (3). Balak. From balaq; waster; Balak, a Moabitish king -- Balak. see
HEBREW balaq. 1110, 1111. Balaq. 1112 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1111.htm - 6k

On the Words of the Gospel, Matt. xv. 21,"Jesus Went Out Thence ...
... [2598] So when he who was afterwards Paul, [2599] was Saul, he was proud, at that
time a persecutor of the innocent, at that time a waster of the Church. ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xxvii on the words.htm

At the Well
... not at all?". "Spoil!" retorted the first, "and new fields, O waster of
the air! Hast thou not heard of Canaan?". "Nay," shouted a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxxvii at the well.htm

Psalm XXXIX.
... Bind him hand and foot, and let him be cast into outer darkness; [1031] the servant,
who was not a waster of his master's goods, so as to destroy them, but was ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xxxix.htm

The Love of Rameses
... Perchance every one is afraid to gossip to thee save mine unabashed self.".
"Waster of the air!" Rameses exclaimed. "What meanest thou?". ...
//christianbookshelf.org/miller/the yoke/chapter xxv the love of.htm

"Boast not Thyself of to Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day ...
... As one prodigal and riotous waster, who cannot be served with his yearly income,
but takes so much on upon his estate, upon the next year's income, before it ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon vii boast not thyself.htm

Christ Triumphant
... The second Adam hath rent them from thee! How is the hammer of the whole earth
cut asunder and broken, and the waster is become desolate. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/christ triumphant.htm

"But Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and his Righteousness," &C.
... he hath put it in. Thus the lazy and secure Christian is a brother to a great
waster, his desire consumes him. He hath no more religion ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xv but seek ye.htm

Directions How to Lead a Heavenly Life Upon Earth.
... For "he that is slothful in his work, is brother to him that is a great waster."
Apply this to thy spiritual work, and study well the meaning of it. ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter xii directions how to.htm

The Value of Life
... War and prostitution are the most flagrant offenses against this social
principle. War is a wholesale waster of life. Prostitution ...
/.../rauschenbusch/the social principles of jesus/chapter i the value of.htm

Of the Beginning and Rise of the Romish Papacy, Till it Attained a ...
... a particular spot, so that he who is in fact the most inveterate enemy of Christ,
the chief adversary of the Gospel, the greatest devastator and waster of the ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 7 of the beginning.htm

Waster (7 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Waster (7 Occurrences). Proverbs 18:9 He also that is
slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster. (KJV WBS). ...
/w/waster.htm - 8k

Knife (10 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary. (1.) Hebrews hereb, "the waster," a sharp instrument
for circumcision (Joshua 5:2, 3, lit. "knives of flint;" Comp. ...
/k/knife.htm - 13k

Looter (1 Occurrence)
... Looter (1 Occurrence). Isaiah 21:2 A vision of fear comes before my eyes; the worker
of deceit goes on in his false way, and the waster goes on making waste. ...
/l/looter.htm - 6k

Loot (15 Occurrences)
... (See NIV). Isaiah 21:2 A vision of fear comes before my eyes; the worker of deceit
goes on in his false way, and the waster goes on making waste. Up! ...
/l/loot.htm - 11k

Wasteness (4 Occurrences)

/w/wasteness.htm - 7k

Wasters (1 Occurrence)

/w/wasters.htm - 6k

Iron-worker (4 Occurrences)
... 54:16 See, I have made the iron-worker, blowing on the burning coals, and making
the instrument of war by his work; and I have made the waster for destruction. ...
/i/iron-worker.htm - 7k

Ibleam (4 Occurrences)
... People-waster, a city assigned to Manasseh (Joshua 17:11), from which the Israelites,
however, could not expel the Canaanites (Judges 1:27). ...
/i/ibleam.htm - 9k

Fans (1 Occurrence)
... 54:16 See, I have made the iron-worker, blowing on the burning coals, and making
the instrument of war by his work; and I have made the waster for destruction. ...
/f/fans.htm - 6k

Forges (2 Occurrences)
... Isaiah 54:16 Behold, I have created the smith that bloweth the fire of coals, and
bringeth forth a weapon for his work; and I have created the waster to destroy ...
/f/forges.htm - 7k

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