Biblical Imagery
By Jerry Batson, Th.D.
Special to The Alabama Baptist
For a number of weeks Theology 101 has been thinking about various common images that the Bible uses to refer to itself. This week the image is water.
The words of the Lord to Isaiah made a connection between His word and water by saying, “As the rain comes down and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes forth from my mouth” (Isa. 55:10–11).
Renewed and refreshed
How then is God’s word like water? As water assists living things to grow physically so God’s word helps us grow spiritually. We know what a drought can do to plants. Persistent drought leads to deprivation and ultimately to famine.
In the same way a Christian life that attempts to survive without recourse to the Bible will begin to shrivel up, resulting in spiritual famine and fruitlessness.
How then is God’s word like water? As water refreshes the weary traveler so God’s word brings refreshment as we journey through this pilgrim land. An attempt to live a Christian life without the intake of God’s word will become stagnant and wearying. When we regularly meet God in His word, life is renewed.
Jeremiah declared the mind of God for his generation writing, “My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns — broken cisterns that can hold no water” (2:13). Nothing substitutes for meeting God regularly and often in the Holy Scripture. As water quenches thirst so God’s word ministers to the thirst of heart.
How then is God’s word like water? As water channeled through a turbine can generate power so God’s word is a primary source of spiritual power for a believer’s life and ministry. Jesus took religious leaders to task over “not knowing the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matt. 22:29).
A divinely established link exists between spiritual power and the Scriptures. God’s word in our lives generates power for meaningful and abundant lives.
Authoritative declaration
How then is God’s word like water? As water cleanses away dirt and grime God’s word promises cleansing and forgiveness when sin besmirches our lives. As imperfect followers of Christ we need the authoritative declaration of the Bible that those sins and failures can be rinsed away.
EDITOR’S NOTE — Jerry Batson is a retired Alabama Baptist pastor who also has served as associate dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University and professor of several schools of religion during his career.
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