The 4 Rivers

I hope I can convey this with clarity and show you in writing all that God has revealed to me in this study. As I was reading in Genesis about creation and all that God had prepared and provided for Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, I skimmed right over the names the rivers at first. Then, as I began to really study the layers in creating these relationships, I read over the rivers once again. This time, I immediately thought, "okay, there's something here that I'm not seeing." He didn't take the time to specify the names of the rivers, their origins and destinations, etc, unless there's meaning behind that. So, here's what I found on each, I hope you enjoy this!

First of all, we need to revisit the fact that God created the Garden of Eden full of everything that Adam and Eve needed, right? It was this perfect place where they got to walk and talk with God and experience blissful joy without any sin or pain in their lives. It was God's perfect provision and these rivers come forth from his provision.

Scripture Reference: Genesis 2:10-14

1. PISON: Growth, maturity, fulfillment in our relationship with God.

Location: Encompasses Havilah

Havilah: twisted, spiraling, writhing in pain or fear. To pervert. To grieve, be in pain, tremble & be wounded.

Symbolism: I got this picture in my mind, I actually drew it on my notes [I'll spare you my handwork], of a place full of pain, fear, perversion and just absolute chaos. Then, I could see a river that rose up like a wall around it. It was like a barrier between me and all of this evil happening on the other side of the river. I could see it, but it didn't affect me, because I was safe on the other side of the water. I believe this symolizes our fulfillment and protection through our relationship with the Father. He has provided absolutely everthing we need. When we are growing, maturing in our relationship with God, we are completely fulfilled, cared for and have peace regardless of what may be happening around us. It's that peace that surpasses all understanding that guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:6), even when the world says we should be in turmoil. It's only when we choose to muddy those waters, we get things out of order, that the chaos begins to break through.

I also want to look at that word "encompasses". This comes from the Hebrew word "cabab" [saw-bab'], which means to revolve, surround, border / bring, cast, fetch, lead / to be about on every side. I found it interesting that it can also mean to inclose, remove, return or set. This tells me that part of God's provision is a solution for when we mess up. His perfect will would be for us to reside within His provision always, but his grace and goodness says "I'll lead you back to the place of fulfillment, teach you how to remove what doesn't belong and completely cover you in my goodness again.

*There's more in this reference that ties into the precious gems (gold, bdellium & onyx) that are mentioned, and when I have a deeper understanding of that, I will bring it back here! If you have thoughts, I'd love to hear them!

2. Gihon: to gush forth, to break forth, to overflow or breakout.

Location: Encompasses the entire land of Cush

Cush: Said by some to be Ethiopia [some translations even say Ethiopia], others say it is Sudan, and many say it actually refers to Africa as a whole and not a specific kingdom. Cush is also used as a general term for "a distant & remote region, the edge of the known world."

Symbolism: That last line in defining Cush really jumped at me, "a distant & remote region, the edge of the known world." So, when I put that together with what we learned about "encompasses" in the first river, I see that God is not only my provider of everything I need, but He goes so much further! He fulfills me to the point of overflowing, flooding every part of me and my life and breaking out into the world and lives around me. He is the God of ABUNDANCE!

Ephesians 3:20 "God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us."

3. Tigris [also called Hiddekel]: swift, darting, rushing, "like a swift arrow in flight"

Location: East side of Ashur [Assyria]

Ashur: Successful, level, right, happy. To go forward, be honest, proper. To be called blessed, to go, guide, lead and relieve.

Symbolism: All of this goodness and fulfillment that we have in Christ isn't meant to be kept to ourselves. We are ministers of the gospel and now we get to take what He has given us to the world with purpose and hope. I love the reference of "a swift arrow in flight". We have a defined purpose. We're not moving about blindly or haphazardly, we are pursuing purpose and life, overflowing everywhere we go.

4. Euphrates: To break forth, rushing. Sweet and fruitful.

Location: unspecified in this passage

Symbolism: A river of sweet fruitfulness will overflow out of our lives and bless those around us. What a perfect picture to wrap up this picture of God's provision.

Now, back to: Who Said "Do it Alone"? Part II

Haven't started the Who Said "Do it Alone" series? Here's the link to Part 1: Who Said "Do it Alone"?