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Fire and Water, Heaven and Firmament
Psalm 66:12 “We went through fire and through water; But You brought us out to rich fulfillment.”
Back in Numbers 31 (click here to read more), we mentioned how Water and Fire is a key theme from Genesis to Revelation. From the Creation of the world (covered in water), Cleansing (even as symbolism in Noah’s ark and baptism), and Fire for destruction (Sodom and Gomorrah and the final Judgement), but also for cleansing and purifying.
The Hebrew word for Fire is Es H784 – ‘ēš, which means fire and flames, burning and hot, but also as a figure of speech of YHWH’s anger. The first time this specific form of Hebrew word was used, is when YHWH and Abraham made a covenant and a fire came down between the offering pieces, in Genesis 15:17 “And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning H784 lamp/fire that passed between those pieces.” This word is also used to describe YHWH, in Exodus 24:17 “And the sight of the glory of YHWH was like H784 devouring fire H784 on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel.” Malachi 3:2 “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a H784 refiner’s fire, H784 and like fullers’ soap”
The Hebrew word for Water is Mayim H4325 – mayim, which is water or waters, also washing, watering, refreshment or even the danger and violence of water. Genesis 1:2 “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of Elohim moved upon the face of the waters. H4325”
It is interesting to note that Waters and Heaven have the same letters and sound in Hebrew. Where waters are Mayim, Heaven is Shamayim H8064 – šāmayim. In Genesis 1:7-8 we read, “And Elohim made the firmament H7549, and divided the waters H4325 which were under the firmament H7549 from the waters H4325 which were above the firmament H7549: and it was so. And Elohim called the firmament H7549 Heaven H8064.” Firmament in Hebrew is Raqia H7549 – rāqîaʿ, meaning a solid extended surface, a base or support structure – that which separates the heaven from the earth (waters above and waters below). Have you ever noticed when looking at the stars in heaven, they almost have the same shine and glitter or movement like when looking at something shining in water or rain? Even the colors of the sky look like the blue of clear oceans? While pure water is colorless, it does reflect a range of colors depending on the angle of light in the surrounding environment. And isn’t it a beautiful thought that water (Mayim) is like a mirror, reflecting everything from above from Heaven (Shamayim) –
Mayim “shining” or reflecting from “ShaMayim”
Rebellion
Psalm 68:6 “but the rebellious dwell in a dry land”
Isaiah 65:2 I have spread out my hands all the day unto a rebellious H5637 people, which walketh in a way that was not good, after their own thoughts;
The Hebrew word from rebel is Sarar H5637 – sārar, meaning rebellious, stubborn, revolters, revolt, sliding back, backsliders, going away, withdrew, to turn away. The first time this word is used sadly, is in Deuteronomy 21:18-19 (click here to read more) “When a man has a wayward (stubborn) and rebellious son who is not listening to the voice of his father or the voice of his mother“. This Scripture explains how to discipline and what to do with rebellious person – and it does not end good. If a rebellious person does not want to listen, there is sadly dire consequences.
As a matter of fact, the same word just with a difference pronounciation is Sarar H6887 – ṣārar, meaning enemy, afflicted, adversary, trouble, to be bound. This word is used in Psalm 23:5 “Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies H6887“. As a matter of fact, Satan – which also means Enemy, was the first one to be Rebellious, as we read in Isaiah 14:12-13 “How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer/Helel, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north”. Back in Genesis 26 (click here to read more), we explained the word Satan H7853 – śāṭan – which is not a name, but a hebrew word for Enemy/Adversary/Resister/Opposer.
