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◄ Rivers: Deep►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical narrative, rivers hold significant symbolic and literal importance, often representing life, sustenance, and divine provision. The concept of "deep rivers" can be explored through various scriptural references that highlight the depth of God's creation, the profundity of His wisdom, and the challenges faced by His people.

Creation and Provision

From the beginning, rivers are depicted as vital components of God's creation. InGenesis 2:10-14, a river flows out of Eden to water the garden, dividing into four headwaters, including the Pishon, Gihon, Tigris, and Euphrates. These rivers symbolize the abundance and life-giving nature of God's provision. The depth of these rivers can be seen as a metaphor for the richness and fullness of God's blessings.

Symbolism of Depth

The depth of rivers in Scripture often symbolizes the profound and unfathomable nature of God's wisdom and knowledge. InRomans 11:33, Paul exclaims, "Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable His judgments, and untraceable His ways!" This depth is mirrored in the natural world through the vast and deep rivers that sustain life and reflect the Creator's infinite understanding.

Challenges and Deliverance

Deep rivers also represent challenges and obstacles that require faith and divine intervention to overcome. InJoshua 3:15-17, the Israelites face the daunting task of crossing the Jordan River at flood stage. Yet, as the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant step into the water, the river's flow is miraculously halted, allowing the people to cross on dry ground. This event underscores God's power to deliver His people through seemingly insurmountable depths.

Judgment and Cleansing

Rivers can also be instruments of judgment and cleansing. In the account of Naaman, the Syrian commander is instructed by the prophet Elisha to wash in the Jordan River seven times to be healed of leprosy (2 Kings 5:10-14). Despite his initial reluctance, Naaman's obedience leads to his cleansing, illustrating the transformative power of faith and the deep, purifying nature of God's grace.

Eschatological Imagery

In eschatological visions, deep rivers symbolize the ultimate restoration and renewal of creation.Revelation 22:1-2 describes the river of the water of life, clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb. This river nourishes the tree of life, whose leaves are for the healing of the nations, signifying the depth of God's eternal provision and the fulfillment of His redemptive plan.

Conclusion

Throughout Scripture, deep rivers serve as powerful symbols of God's provision, wisdom, deliverance, judgment, and ultimate restoration. They remind believers of the depth of God's love and the profound nature of His works in the world.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Ezekiel 47:5
Afterward he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not pass over: for the waters were risen, waters to swim in, a river that could not be passed over.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Zechariah 10:11
And he shall pass through the sea with affliction, and shall smite the waves in the sea, and all the deeps of the river shall dry up: and the pride of Assyria shall be brought down, and the scepter of Egypt shall depart away.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

TheRivers of God
... 'The glorious Lord shall be a place of broadrivers.' Yes; but... you will get but a
shallow streamlet; and if you make your channel broad anddeep, you will get...

The Seven Seas According to the Talmudists, and the FourRivers...
... "Seven seas (say they) and fourrivers compass the... R. Houna Bar Joseph saith, they
travelled by the way of thedeep, and by thedeep they came back." Surely it...

Concerning the Waters.
... coastland signifies that it is rocky anddeep close into shore, gettingdeep all
on... This is parted into four first divisions, that is to say, into fourrivers....

Hesiod; the Nine Muses; the Hesiodic Cosmogony; the Ancient...
... "How first both gods and earth were made, [144]. Andrivers, and boundlessdeep,
and ocean's surge,. And glittering stars, and spacious heaven above;...

The River of Life
... temple, too, will pour out, according to Christ's own promise,rivers of living...
unresolved stars"take their rise from nothing else than thedeep heart of God...

Naaman the Syrian and the Jordan. No Other Stream Has the Same...
... and on the other He prepares for us, in the immense and tracklessdeep, a road... Naaman
the Syrian from his leprosy, and what is said of therivers of religion...

The Flood-Tide of Power.
... man up to His ideal He exclaims, "Out of his belly shall flowrivers of living... will
be filled with a peace still as the stars, calm as the night,deep as the...

How those are to be Admonished who Commit Very Small but Frequent...
... For, if they scorn being afraid when they weigh their deeds, they ought to be alarmed
when they number them; seeing thatdeep gulphs ofrivers are filled by...

Letter iii. True Religion a Work of Grace in the Heart; but it...
... "He shall be as a tree planted by therivers of water... of Judah shall again take root
downward, and bear fruit upward." Here is first a takingdeep root downward...

How Moses Sent Some Persons to Search Out the Land of the...
... But then they terrified them again with the great difficulty there was in obtaining
it; that therivers were so large anddeep that they could not be passed...