GEOGRAPHY OF WATER

Water is essential to life, and this has not changed over the times. Be it in the olden days, or even now, we all need water to survive. A quick Google search actually reveals that about 71% of the Earth’s surface is made up of water, further emphasizing the significance water has on our lives. 

In the Bible, various water bodies are also mentioned, each recorded a different moment of history.

The Sea of Galilee

The Sea of Galilee is a water body that has been mentioned in the Bible before and is also present in the world today. Contrary to the name, the Sea of Galilee is actually not a sea; it is actually a freshwater lake. It is also about 200 meters below sea level, making it the lowest freshwater lake on Earth. Being a freshwater lake, it is also an important source of water for Israel, Jordan and the countries in the vicinity. 

The Sea of Galilee is also the place where the miracle of Jesus calming the storm took place. 

Mark 4:39 Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm.

In Luke 5, another name of the Sea of Galilee, Lake Gennesaret, was used. It was also where the fishermen showed obedience by listening to Jesus and went out to catch fish at night even after they toiled the whole night and caught nothing. In the end, they managed to catch many fishes that they needed help to keep the catch! 

The Sea of Galilee was also mentioned in Matthew 4:18-22, where Jesus called four fishermen as disciples as he walked by the Sea of Galilee. 

Mat 4:18-20 And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. Then He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 

For more information on the Sea of Galilee, you can watch this video: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtfXInfav94

Jordan River

Joshua 3:14-17 records the crossing of the Israelites into the Promised Land. The account also mentioned that the water of the Jordan River stood still as the people crossed the river to get to the Promised Land. 

Centuries later, this was also where Jesus was baptised by John the Baptist.

Matthew 3: 13-15 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan to be baptized by him. And John tried to prevent Him, saying, “I need to be baptized by You, and are You coming to me?” But Jesus answered and said to him, “Permit it to be so now, for thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he allowed Him.

Today, the Jordan river flows through different countries and has various significance to different groups of people. The river begins in Mount Hermon, then reaches the Sea of Galilee, and then eventually empties into the Dead Sea. One of its natural characteristics is that it is very winding, as it flows through the valley. It is said that although the straight-line distance is only about 105km, the actual river length goes up to 250km.

Short video about Jordan River: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmunLtggLUI 

The Dead Sea

Speaking about the Sea of Galilee and the Jordan River, we cannot miss out on another water body nearby that is closely related to this 2, which is the Dead Sea. 

The Dead Sea is a place which I believe most of us have impressions of. You will most likely remember pictures of people floating on the sea while reading the newspaper, and the key fact is that it is extremely high in salinity. Contrary again to its name, the Dead Sea is not actually a real sea, it is technically more of a salt lake. It is located between Israel and Jordan and is known to be the lowest exposed place on earth, being about 430 meters below the sea level. 

The name as we call it today, the Dead Sea, is not used in the New Testament, as this name of it only came about in recent times. Even in the Old Testament, they are also more commonly referred to as “the Sea of the Arabah” or “the Salt Sea”. For example, in Genesis 14:3 and Ezekiel 47:8-9, although the name is not “the Dead Sea:”, it is understood that they are referring to the Dead Sea, due to their characteristics. 

Short video about The Dead Sea: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K0B1ClbALYI 

Be it the Sea of Galilee to the flowing waters of the Jordan River or the striking stillness of the Dead Sea, these water bodies are more than geographical landmarks. They also carry stories of faith, history, transformation, and human encounter across thousands of years.

In the Scriptures, water often becomes a place where journeys begin, and hope is renewed. Whether through storms on the Sea of Galilee, crossings at the Jordan River, or the landscape surrounding the Dead Sea, these places remind us that the accounts of the Bible are based in real places, and when we look at these places we wonder what it was like during the times of Jesus. 

As we reflect on these interesting water bodies, may we also consider the stories they symbolise and carry: to trust steadfastly in the Lord and to continually cross and renew ourselves into new beginnings. 

*Do note that the videos are only meant to be watched for reference on the physical characteristics of the water bodies. Other contents in the video are not intended to be fully representative of the scripture.  

Ask Yourself:

1. What key activities happened at the Sea of Galilee?

2. What key activities happened at the Jordan River?

Suggested Answers:

1. Jesus calming the storm; the Great catch by the fishermen; the calling of new disciples 

2. Crossing into the Promised Land; Jesus getting baptised