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STT: Lakes

Study Tip Tuesday Water Water Everywhere Lakes title graphic

“He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul.” – Psalm 23:2-3a

While rivers flow and seas rage, Scripture also speaks of still waters—lakes and pools that serve as settings for reflection, healing, and divine encounter. These quieter waters reveal different aspects of God’s character and work in the lives of His people.

The Pool of Bethesda: Waters of Mercy and Divine Timing

In John 5, we encounter a man who had been ill for thirty-eight years, waiting beside the Pool of Bethesda for healing:

The Pool as a Place of Human Limitation

The pool was surrounded by “a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed” (John 5:3), representing humanity’s brokenness
Popular belief held that an angel would stir the waters, and the first person to enter would be healed
The man’s lament, “I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up” (John 5:7), reveals human helplessness and isolation

The Pool as Setting for Divine Intervention

Jesus bypassed the water entirely, demonstrating that healing comes from Him, not from magical properties of the pool
His question, “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:6) reveals that divine healing addresses not just physical needs but deeper spiritual desires
The healing occurred on the Sabbath, challenging religious traditions and revealing Jesus as Lord of both healing and holy time

The Pool of Siloam: Waters of Obedience and Spiritual Sight

In John 9, Jesus heals a man born blind by sending him to wash in the Pool of Siloam:

The Pool as Instrument of Testing Faith

Jesus applied mud to the man’s eyes and instructed him to “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam” (John 9:7)
The man’s obedience in going to the pool demonstrated faith that preceded sight
The name “Siloam” means “sent,” connecting the pool to Jesus’ identity as the One sent by the Father

The Pool as Symbol of Spiritual Illumination

Physical washing in the pool resulted in both physical and spiritual sight
The healed man progressively recognized Jesus—first as “the man called Jesus” (John 9:11), then as “a prophet” (9:17), and finally as “Lord” (9:38)
This progression mirrors the spiritual journey from blindness to full recognition of Christ

The Sea of Galilee: A Lake of Divine Provision

Though often called a “sea,” the Sea of Galilee is actually a freshwater lake that features prominently in Jesus’ ministry:

The Lake as Source of Livelihood

This lake sustained the fishing industry that employed several of Jesus’ disciples (Matthew 4:18)
Jesus used the familiar setting of the lake to call His disciples: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19)
The lake represented the disciples’ old life, which Jesus transformed rather than abandoned

The Lake as Setting for Abundance

Jesus used these waters to demonstrate supernatural provision through the miraculous catches of fish (Luke 5:1-11, John 21:1-14)
The second miraculous catch specifically featured 153 large fish, symbolizing abundance and completeness
After the resurrection, Jesus prepared breakfast by the lakeshore (John 21:9), showing His continued care for physical needs

Lakes and Pools in Biblical Symbolism

Beyond specific narratives, still waters carry broader symbolic significance:

Still Waters as Places of Restoration

David’s psalm speaks of God leading “beside still waters” to “restore my soul” (Psalm 23:2-3)
Unlike turbulent seas that represent chaos, still waters symbolize peace and God’s restorative presence
Isaiah prophesies that in God’s kingdom, “waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert” (Isaiah 35:6)

Still Waters as Reflective Surfaces

Just as still waters reflect the sky, Scripture calls us to reflect on God’s law and character
Psalm 1:2-3 compares the person who meditates on God’s law to “a tree planted by streams of water”
The still, reflective quality of lakes and pools invites contemplation and self-examination

When you encounter lakes and pools in your Bible reading, consider:

Setting significance: How does this particular body of water contribute to the narrative?
Symbolic meaning: Does this water represent healing, provision, reflection, or something else?
Divine purpose: How is God using this water to reveal Himself or accomplish His purposes?
Personal invitation: What spiritual practice might this water imagery be inviting you to engage in?

The still waters of Scripture remind us that God works not only through dramatic interventions like parted seas but also through quiet moments of reflection and simple acts of obedience. Sometimes healing comes not through spectacular displays but through washing in the waters where He has directed us.

For reflection: Where in your life do you need to experience God’s “still waters”? What pool of healing or reflection is He inviting you to visit today?

STT: Seas

By Paula Wiseman

Study Tip Tuesday Water Water Everywhere Seas title graphic

“You rule the raging of the sea; when its waves rise, you still them.” – Psalm 89:9

Throughout Scripture, seas and oceans represent more than vast bodies of water—they embody both chaos and divine control, danger and deliverance. By understanding how God interacts with the seas, we gain profound insights into His sovereignty, power, and redemptive purposes.

The Red Sea: Waters of Deliverance and Judgment

The Red Sea crossing stands as one of the most dramatic sea narratives in Scripture, revealing God’s dual purpose through water:

Deliverance

God parted the waters to create a path of escape for His people: “The Lord drove the sea back by a strong east wind all night and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided” (Exodus 14:21)
Israel passed through on dry ground, experiencing God’s protection within what should have been a place of death (Exodus 14:22)
This deliverance became a defining moment in Israel’s identity, repeatedly referenced throughout Scripture as evidence of God’s faithfulness (Psalm 106:9-11, Isaiah 51:10)

Judgment

The same waters that delivered Israel destroyed Pharaoh’s army: “The waters returned and covered the chariots and the horsemen” (Exodus 14:28)
This dual function established a pattern seen throughout Scripture: the same divine action brings both salvation and judgment depending on one’s relationship with God

The Sea of Galilee: Waters of Ministry and Miracles

This freshwater lake (actually a sea by biblical definition) features prominently in Jesus’ ministry:

Jesus called His first disciples from among fishermen on these shores (Matthew 4:18-22)
Many of His teachings occurred near or on these waters, including parables from boats (Mark 4:1-2)
Jesus demonstrated His authority over creation by calming the stormy sea (Mark 4:35-41)
He revealed His divine nature by walking on these waters (Matthew 14:22-33)
The Sea of Galilee became the backdrop for the miraculous catch of fish, both early in His ministry (Luke 5:1-11) and after His resurrection (John 21:1-14)

The Mediterranean Sea: Waters of Mission and Providence

The “Great Sea” of biblical times played a crucial role in the spread of the gospel:

Paul’s missionary journeys frequently involved Mediterranean Sea travel (Acts 13-28)
His shipwreck experience demonstrated God’s providential care even amid maritime disaster (Acts 27:13-44)
The Mediterranean connected the early church communities, allowing for the spread of letters and teachings

Seas as Symbol of Chaos and Evil

In ancient Near Eastern thought, seas represented primordial chaos, which God’s creative power ordered (Genesis 1:2, 6-10)
The prophets used sea imagery to represent hostile nations and forces opposing God’s people (Isaiah 17:12-13)
Daniel’s vision depicts beasts rising from the sea, symbolizing threatening empires (Daniel 7:2-3)
The beast of Revelation emerges from the sea, representing anti-God political power (Revelation 13:1)

Seas as Display of Divine Power

God’s control over the seas demonstrates His sovereignty: “The sea is his, for he made it” (Psalm 95:5)
Jesus’ authority over stormy waters revealed His divine nature to the disciples: “Who then is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?” (Mark 4:41)
God sets boundaries for the seas, showing His ordering of creation: “I placed boundaries on it and set a bolt and doors, and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther'” (Job 38:10-11)

The Promise of No More Sea

Revelation’s vision of the new creation declares, “the sea was no more” (Revelation 21:1)
This symbolizes the end of chaos, separation, danger, and all that threatens God’s people
The absence of sea represents the complete victory of divine order over chaos

When you encounter seas and oceans in your Bible reading, consider:

Theological significance: How does this passage reveal God’s power over chaos and evil?
Narrative purpose: How does the sea function in this story—as barrier, instrument of judgment, or setting for divine revelation?
Symbolic meaning: What might the sea represent in this context—chaos, nations, separation, or danger?
New Testament connections: How does Jesus’ interaction with the sea fulfill or transform Old Testament sea imagery?

Seas in Scripture remind us that what appears most threatening and uncontrollable to us remains fully under God’s sovereign command. The waters that seem ready to overwhelm us can become, in His hands, the very means of our deliverance.

STT: Water, Water Everywhere: Rivers

By Paula Wiseman

Studt tip Tuesday Water Water everywhere Rivers title graphic

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, the holy place where the Most High dwells.” – Psalm 46:4

Throughout Scripture, rivers serve as more than mere geographical features—they are powerful symbols that help tell God’s story of redemption. By understanding the significance of these waterways, we gain deeper insight into biblical narratives and their theological meaning.

The Jordan River: A Boundary of Promise

The Jordan River stands as perhaps the most significant waterway in Scripture. When Joshua led the Israelites to the edge of the Promised Land, the Jordan represented the final barrier between their wilderness wandering and their inheritance. As the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the water, “the waters coming down from above stood and rose up in a heap” (Joshua 3:16), allowing God’s people to cross on dry ground.

This miraculous crossing echoed the Red Sea deliverance and demonstrated God’s faithfulness to His promises. The twelve memorial stones taken from the riverbed served as a lasting reminder that “the Lord your God dried up the waters of the Jordan for you until you passed over” (Joshua 4:23).

The Jordan as Symbol of Transition

Throughout Scripture, the Jordan consistently marks significant transitions:

For Israel, crossing the Jordan represented the transition from nomadic wilderness life to settlement in the Promised Land (Joshua 3-4)
For Elijah, the Jordan marked his transition from earthly ministry to heavenly reward as he crossed it before being taken up in the chariot of fire (2 Kings 2:6-8)
For Elisha, crossing back over the Jordan using Elijah’s mantle symbolized his transition into the prophetic office (2 Kings 2:13-14)
For Jesus, his baptism in the Jordan marked the transition from his private life to public ministry (Matthew 3:13-17)

The Jordan as Symbol of Cleansing

The Jordan’s waters are repeatedly associated with cleansing:

Naaman the Syrian was instructed to wash seven times in the Jordan to be cleansed of leprosy, symbolizing both physical and spiritual purification (2 Kings 5:10-14)
John the Baptist conducted his ministry of repentance at the Jordan, where people were “baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins” (Mark 1:5)
Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan established it as the archetypal location for Christian baptism, which Paul later describes as washing away sins (Acts 22:16)

The Jordan as Symbol of New Beginnings

The Jordan consistently appears at moments of new beginnings in biblical narrative:

Israel’s new beginning as a nation in their own land commenced with crossing the Jordan (Joshua 3)
Elisha’s new ministry began after crossing the Jordan (2 Kings 2)
The Gospels present Jesus’ baptism in the Jordan as inaugurating a new covenant, marked by the voice from heaven and descent of the Spirit (Luke 3:21-22)

Other Rivers That Tell God’s Story

The Nile River: Symbol of Both Provision and Judgment

The Nile River features prominently in Egypt’s relationship with God’s people:

It became the cradle of protection for baby Moses when his mother placed him in a basket among the reeds (Exodus 2:3-5)
God demonstrated His sovereignty over Egypt’s most revered resource by turning the Nile to blood as the first plague (Exodus 7:17-21)
The Nile represented Egypt’s agricultural prosperity and false security, which Isaiah prophesied would dry up as judgment (Isaiah 19:5-7)
In Egyptian culture, the Nile was worshipped as a god, making God’s control over it a powerful statement about His supremacy over false deities

The Euphrates and Tigris: Boundaries of Civilization and Empire

These rivers defined the cradle of civilization and played significant roles in biblical history:

Both are mentioned in the Garden of Eden narrative, establishing them as part of God’s original creation (Genesis 2:14)
The Euphrates marked the northeastern boundary of God’s territorial promise to Abraham (Genesis 15:18)
Babylon, situated on the Euphrates, became the place of Israel’s exile and captivity (2 Kings 24:10-16)
The prophets used the Euphrates symbolically in their messages about coming judgment and restoration (Jeremiah 13:1-11)
Revelation depicts the Euphrates drying up to prepare the way for the kings from the east in end-time events (Revelation 16:12)

The Jabbok River: Site of Spiritual Transformation

Though smaller, the Jabbok River marks a pivotal moment in Israel’s spiritual history:

Jacob wrestled with God at the ford of the Jabbok, experiencing profound spiritual transformation (Genesis 32:22-32)
After crossing this river and encountering God, Jacob’s name was changed to Israel (“he struggles with God”)
This river crossing represents the spiritual struggle that precedes blessing and the intimate encounter with God that transforms identity

The Kishon River: Instrument of Divine Victory

The Kishon demonstrates how God uses natural features in His deliverance:

This river became the site of Deborah and Barak’s victory over Sisera’s army when God sent a flood that immobilized the enemy’s chariots (Judges 4:7, 5:21)
The Kishon is celebrated in Deborah’s song as having “swept them away,” showing how God uses creation itself to accomplish His purposes

Rivers in Prophetic Vision: Future Hope and Restoration

Rivers feature prominently in prophetic literature as symbols of God’s future restoration:

Ezekiel’s vision of the river flowing from the temple (Ezekiel 47:1-12) grows deeper and wider, bringing healing and life wherever it flows
This imagery finds its fulfillment in Revelation 22:1-2, where “the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb” sustains the tree of life whose leaves are “for the healing of the nations”
Isaiah speaks of God making “rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19), symbolizing the miraculous provision and restoration God promises His people

Each of these rivers carries not just water but profound theological significance, helping us understand God’s character, His dealings with humanity, and His ultimate purposes for creation.

When you encounter rivers in your Bible reading, consider:
Historical context: How did this river impact the geography and history of God’s people?
Symbolic meaning: What might this river represent in the spiritual narrative?
Connections: How does this river connect to other biblical passages and themes?
Personal application: What spiritual lessons can you draw from this river narrative?
Rivers in Scripture often mark boundaries between promise and fulfillment, slavery and freedom, death and life. They remind us that God often leads us through barriers that seem impossible to cross, making a way where there seems to be no way.
For reflection: What “Jordan River” stands between you and God’s promises in your life? How might God be calling you to step into those waters in faith, trusting Him to make a way?

Study Tip: Emphasizing the Resurrection

By Paula Wiseman

And if Christ is not risen, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins! 1 Corinthians 15:17

In the book of Acts in nearly every sermon from Pentecost through Paul’s trials in the later chapters, the key point is Jesus’s resurrection from the dead.

Acts 2:24, 2:32, 3:15, 4:2, 4:10, 5:30, 10:40-41, 13:30, 13:33-34, 13:37, 17:31-32, 23:6, 24:21, 26:8, 26:23

Why was the resurrection such a focal point?

Keep in mind that these sermons were often preached to Jewish crowds. In their system of sacrifices, they depended on the intercession of the High Priest. Once each year, on the Day of Atonement he would take the lamb’s blood into the Holy of Holies into the presence of God and sprinkle it on the lid of the ark of the Covenant, the box that held the Ten Commandments. The lid was called the mercy seat. The High Priest was required to follow every detail of God’s instructions, from the selection of the lamb and the preparation and presentation of the offering down to his bathing routine and clothing. If every detail was correct, if every instruction followed, God would accept the offering and withhold His judgment for a year. If the High Priest failed in any point, even a minor one, he would be struck dead and the people would fall under God’s wrath.

So when the High Priest would emerge from the tabernacle and later the Temple there was great relief among the people. The High Priest lived! That meant the offering was acceptable, their sins were covered, they were safe.

Jesus is our Great High Priest, and the Lamb of God.

After offering His life’s blood, God had to signal that the offering was accepted, that it was sufficient. The High Priest had to live. But because the offering was so perfect, the judgment was stayed not just for a year, but for eternity.

The resurrection of Jesus Christ proves that our redemption is finished.

If He hadn’t raised from the dead, then it was only a martyr’s death and not a Savior’s death. But because He lives, we know we will too.

As you read the New Testament, notice how often the resurrection is mentioned. Do you think we focus on the resurrection more or less than New Testament believers?

(Although there is no longer a Temple or a system of sacrifices, the Day of Atonement is still observed by Jews today. You may have seen it on your calendar – Yom Kippur.)

As I was making notes, I discovered I had already posted on my topic. So yes, this is a repost but good information.

Study Tip: Peace

By Paula Wiseman

Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. John 14:27

In what some writers have called Jesus’s last will and testament, He bestows His peace on His disciples. Let’s take a few moments and consider what an awesome gift this is.

The word peace is the Greek word eirene. (You probably recognize the name, Irene, in the word.) Of course, this is a translation of the Hebrew word shalom. It encompasses all the following:

An end to enmity with God and a restoration of the relationship.
Relief from wondering where we stand before God.
Calm reassurance in the most trying circumstances.
Dissipation of fear.
Harmony in our relationships with those around us.
Stillness in the midst of the noise of the world.
A foretaste of the eternal rest that awaits us.
A confident knowledge that it is complete and irrevocable.

So in John 14:27, Jesus, our great High Priest assures us His peace is a free gift resulting from His sacrifice. It isn’t meted out based on our work or worthiness or even proof that we have or will use it wisely.

Now compare it to the last line of Aaron’s blessing on Israel. Because he was the High Priest, when Aaron spoke these words, he was pronouncing the blessing of Jehovah Himself.
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace. Numbers 6:27

It conveys the idea of living under the full measure of His grace, favor, joy, and protection. He is the Father whose delight in us is boundless.

Spanning the Old and New Testament, peace is the summation of our relationship with God. It weaves together what He’s done for us, all that’s is available to us now and what we look forward to. As you study, be on the lookout for the word peace and take to heart the things you learn. In your daily life be ever more mindful of His peace.

Study Tip: Jesus in the Tabernacle

By Paula Wiseman

Sometimes, Old Testament studies can be challenging, especially the details presented in the books of Moses. But everything God did as He instituted the system of worship for the nation of Israel pointed to the coming work of Christ. Let’s take a look at the interior of the tabernacle as an example. In Exodus 25-27 God describes how the tabernacle is to be constructed and furnished. Exodus 35-38 relate how the project is accomplished, and Exodus 40 describes the time when it is set up for use. Exodus is forty chapters and around a quarter of them are devoted to the tabernacle. That makes it kind of a big deal.

We could spend A LOT of time on the tabernacle, but I’m going to limit today’s study to just 5 of the furnishings and how each of them foreshadowed Jesus Christ.

The Bronze Laver

Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: “You shall also make a laver of bronze, with its base also of bronze, for washing. You shall put it between the tabernacle of meeting and the altar. And you shall put water in it, for Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet in water from it. When they go into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister, to burn an offering made by fire to the Lord, they shall wash with water, lest they die. (Exodus 30:17-20)

This was essentially a big washbasin. The priests were to wash the dirt from their hands and feet as they stepped on to consecrated ground to serve God.

Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” (John 13:10)

If you want to split hairs about the fact that Aaron and his sons had to wash their hands and feet while Jesus only washed feet, feel free. However, both passages underscore the need to be cleansed before attempting ministry before God. However, Jesus’s disciples weren’t limited to just one physical location.

The Altar of Burnt Offerings
And you shall make the altar of acacia wood, five cubits long and five cubits wide; the altar shall be square, and its height shall be three cubits. You shall make its horns on its four corners; its horns shall be of one piece with it, and you shall overlay it with bronze. (Exodus 27:1-2)

The bronze altar was the main altar in the tabernacle. It was the place where sins were dealt with and the relationship with God was restored whether with the individuals or with the nation of Israel itself.

The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! (John 1:29)

Jesus dealt with our sins and restored a right relationship with God for all who believe.

The Altar of Incense
Moreover, you shall make an altar as a place for burning incense; you shall make it of acacia wood. … There shall be perpetual incense before the LORD throughout your generations. (Exodus 30:1,8)

The sweet-smelling incense represented the prayers of the Israelites.

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. … If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:5,7)

Jesus personally intercedes and carries our prayers before God.

The Golden Lampstand
Then you shall make a lampstand of pure gold. The lampstand and its base and its shaft are to be made of hammered work; its cups, its bulbs and its flowers shall be of one piece with it. (Exodus 25:31)

By the time the tabernacle was assembled with all its coverings, there was no outside light. The only source was the lampstand.

Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.” (John 8:12)

The only source of light in our dark world is Jesus Christ.

The Table of Showbread
You shall set the bread of the Presence on the table before Me at all times. (Exodus 25:30)

Each week twelve fresh loaves of bread were placed on the table as a reminder that God alone sustained and provided for Israel.

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst. (John 6:35)

Not only are we sustained physically but Jesus provides us with eternal life.

This was a super-quick overview, but hopefully it was enough to show that the Old Testament is also the story of Jesus and His redemptive work. As you read the Old Testament, look for Jesus. I promise He’s there.