Upper Stories of John
Water: Part Two
Focusing on one topic in Scripture is fascinating, uncovering details you never saw before, that’s what makes the Bible alive (Heb. 4:12). Take Moses, for example. His mother saved him from a brutal Egyptian murder by placing her infant in a basket on the Nile River. Using water, God brought protection, deliverance, and destiny. However, God wasn’t finished with Moses; he was the chosen deliverer of His people. After finding a wife at a well, yes, another spousal well-experience, God used water as punishment when Pharaoh refused to release His people from slavery: the first plague was turning Egypt’s entire water supply into blood-pollution. Take away water and you take away life.
Not only those divine ‘water appointments’ but Moses and the people experienced a miraculous deliverance from bondage as God divided the waters of the Red Sea. Similar to creation, dividing waters, He protected His people using water to form a wall as they walked through on dry ground (Ex. 14). The Song of Moses celebrates God’s sovereignty over creation,
And Miriam sang to them: “Sing to the Lord, for He has triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider He has thrown into the sea.” Exodus 15:21
Since water is necessary for life, without any, you can get cranky. Only three days after their miraculous delivery, God’s people complained to Moses and he interceded for them. A place of bitter water was miraculously transformed into sweet water; God provided for their every need as He led them to a place of twelve springs (Ex. 17). He often gives us more than we need because He’s a good Father. It was such a blessing that the people rejoiced and sang,
“Spring up, O well! Yes, sing its praises! Sing of this well, which princes dug, which great leaders hollowed out with their scepters and staffs.” Numbers 21:17-18
Those lower stories of God using water can create the upper story faith we need to believe that God will also provide for our needs, and then some. John understood that truth and alone recorded a wedding story when Jesus miraculously turned water into wine (John 2). Another ‘third day’ miracle when Jesus points us to the upper story: there’s a wedding coming when our divine Bridegroom unites with His Bride and the spiritual wine will never be depleted. He used the ritual waters of purification in water pots to manifest His glory by showing us that He spiritually purifies us and saves the ‘best wine’ for last.
Let us rejoice and exult and give Him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His Bride has made herself ready; And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:7, 9
Water for protection, water for punishment … bitter to sweet, water to wine, God’s got you covered.