“On the last day, that great ‘day of the feast [of tabernacles], Jesus stood and cried out, saying, if anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. He who believes in me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38 NKJV).
In the beginning – water
When God began His creative work, the earth was covered with water. The word of God would bring forth life out of this water-covered globe.
The waters were separated, then gathered to provide for life that would thrive in the water and life that would survive so long as water was available. A river was placed in the garden which divided into four parts and flowed outward to the surrounding lands. This likely was symbolic of the concern God would have for all the world. Water thus became a fitting symbol for the Spirit of God.
Rain speaks of God’s blessing
God’s favor is often associated with the coming of rain, His disfavor with drought. Palestine was described to Israel as “a land of hills and valley, and [one that] drinketh water of the rain of heaven.” It was a place blessed of God. The blessings could continue: “I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil” (Deut. 11:11,14).
In Deuteronomy 32:2, the rain symbolizes the doctrine of God: “My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distill as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass.” Just as the grass thrives by drinking in the rain, so do those who respond to God’s word. The spiritual lesson should be striking when we see the amazing effect of rain upon a dried-out, parched area of ground.
Wells of salvation
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness” (Mt. 5:6; cf. Isa. 49:10) surely speaks of hungering for the bread and thirsting for the water of “life.” This should be the great desire that dominates our lives, for nothing else offers lasting satisfaction and eternal life.
The writer of Ecclesiastes experienced everything that this life can offer — wealth, power, possessions, physical indulgence — yet in his later years he formed an important conclusion: this life passes away and leaves one truly empty unless one has served God from his earliest opportunity. “For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether it is good or whether it is evil” (Eccl. 12:14 NKJV).
We can find salvation in our God through the way He has provided in Christ Jesus. “Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation” (Isa. 12:2-5).
We are to find this salvation in this wilderness of life just as God provided water from the rock for Israel in the wilderness. He also provided them food, drink, protection and direction.
Christ is our rock, from whom flows living water. He also provides direction, protection and all things needful for us if we seek first his kingdom. He may not supply luxuries and immunity from trials and suffering, but he will provide what is necessary for our eternal welfare.
Streams of water
We know that water covers almost 3/4 of the earth’s surface. Water is teeming with microscopic life and fish, mammals and plant life of enormous variety. Water is a major geologic agent to transport sediments and replenish soil. Water affects everything with which it comes in contact. Living water is a biblical figure to express a source which can impart life. If we are influenced by the Word of God, its effect can be seen in the way we behave. We are selective in our speech and circumspect in our actions, developing in ourselves “Christ…the hope of glory” (Col. 1:27).
If we drink from the living stream, we will benefit and pass on the benefit to others. “And the LORD shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not” (Isa. 58:11).
During the feast of tabernacles (see the opening passage), for seven days, a golden pitcher was carried in a procession to the temple, probably to remind them of the rock in the desert. On the last day of the feast, this was dispensed with. In this setting, Christ promises them a reality, living water that would abundantly satisfy.
The love of Christ thus becomes contagious. He loved us so we love others. If our attitude has its desired affect, others will come to love Christ and out of their hearts will flow the life-giving water to the benefit of yet more, in the grace of God.
The Origin of the Organic World – Part One