Today we
will be continuing with the symbolisms used to represent the Holy Spirit.
2.
Water: The water symbol is used quite significantly
throughout the Bible and it has come signify both the Word and the Holy Spirit.
The differentiation between the two is very subtle and so it can only be
defined contextually since both the word and the Spirit work in tandem to
accomplish God’s Will together. Jesus stated that, rivers of living water will
flow from the hearts of those who believe in Him. Jesus was referring to the
Holy Spirit as the scripture revels in Jn 7:38-39. To imagine that man has been
given the provision to become a fountain of this living water should inspire us
to be all that God wants us to be. This provision enables the believer to
become a wellspring for the Holy Spirit by whom God will minister to the lives
of those around us. Jesus first introduces us to this living water in His
conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well in John Ch.4, however, the
foundation was laid in His conversation with Nicodemus about being born again
Jn 3:5. These chapters (Jn 3, 4 and 7) are so arranged for us to learn about
this in an orderly manner.
When God prophesied concerning the
dispensation of the grace of God; He said that His Spirit would be poured out
upon all flesh in Joel 2:28. In this verse the verb (pour out) figuratively
compares the Holy Spirit dispensation to that of water being poured. The
pouring here is indicative of copious quantities without limit and so the imagery
to a river flow. When Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about the new birth by water and
Spirit, He was indicating to the functioning of the word (water) and the Spirit
(Holy Spirit) in bringing about new birth in those who accept Jesus as their
Saviour. This point we have discussed earlier.
Water in nature is a
symbol of life and the same holds true in the Bible. However, the life here is eternal
and spiritual in nature. The great thing about it is not possessing it, but it is
in being able to share it with others. Therefore, the command to preach the
gospel to all Mt 28:19. The river of living water symbolism can be seen in Ps 1:3 where it
imparts fruitfulness and a supernatural provision of health to the blessed man.
The believer in this verse is a shadow of the Tree of Life in Rev 22:2, which too
is fed by a river that proceeds from the Temple of God in the New Heavenly Jerusalem.
We see this life giving river in Ezk 47: 1-12 given as a prophecy, reminiscent
of the flow of the Holy Spirit in ones life. I will be dealing with this portion
later in the study. The Holy Spirit as discussed earlier is the Life giver
while the Word is the initiator. An easy way to explain this is when God made
man out of clay (the word constructs) and then God breathed into him (The
Spirit gives life). So when one receives the Water, he receives life and is
then a living temple for God to dwell in. Once we become His dwelling, the Holy
Spirit will spring out of us bringing forth life Jn 4:14.
Water flows and so does the Holy
Spirit and just as water refreshes thirst; the Holy Spirit satiates the thirst
for God. The Psalmist penned his feelings regarding his thirst for God in Ps
42:1 whilst he sought Him in his prayers. Jesus spoke regarding this thirst to
the woman at the well in Jn 4:13 saying that those who drink from Him will thirst
no more. Man by nature tries to answer all of life’s problems but there comes a
point where he can’t; however those who look to the Lord have a totally different
experience. In Ps 121:1-2 we see the resolute decision of the writer to seek
God and nowhere else, a decision that can only be reached by faith. It is to
such that the Spirit of God flows in abundance. This is why Jesus said He came
to give us life and to give it abundantly Jn 10:10, a life that will flow
through the Holy Spirit to all who call upon His name. Amen. Ezk 47: 1-12,
basically prophesies that the Dead Sea will one day be raised up and become a water
body that will be teaming with life. This is also a picture of the
transformation of the repentant soul from death to life 1Jn 3:14a / Jn 5:24. One
simple truth here is God will always give abundantly and liberally to all who
come to Him.
At this point I will not be
able to go into further details since we are only looking into the symbols of
the Holy Spirit, however we delve further into this topic in greater detail
when we study on the Anointing. We will continue with another symbol in our next
session. Till then God Bless
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