Ancient civilizations were terrified by the ocean. To them, the sea was a stormy, unpredictable place where swells swallowed up courageous sailors. So it’s not surprising that the religions of the Ancient Near East all contained accounts about how their god defeated the evil sea of chaos and its seven-headed monster—often portrayed as a dragon or serpent. Whether it was the Mesopotamian Marduk slaying Tiamat, goddess of the sea, or the Canaanite Baal cutting off the heads of the oceanic chaos monster, the ancients made a point of saying that their god had triumphed over evil.
Scripture uses the sea and the chaos monster to make an even better point about God. Yahweh demonstrated that He alone was God when He “dried up the sea” so His people could escape from Egypt (Isaiah 51:10). And Rahab confessed to the spies, “We are all afraid of you. Everyone in the land is living in terror. For we have heard how the LORD made a dry path for you through the Red Sea” (Joshua 2:9-10).
God reminded Job that He dominates the sea monster Leviathan, and He has placed limits on the sea and what it can do (Job 38:8-11, Job 41:1-34). Asaph later wrote of God: “You split the sea by your strength and smashed the heads of the sea monsters. You crushed the heads of Leviathan” (Psalm 74:13-14). God’s power is greater than any enemy we will face on earth—even the enemy of our souls.
Jesus promises to return and slay “the dragon—that old serpent, who is the devil,” and He will create a new earth with no more sea (Revelation 20:2, 21:1).
I don’t know what ocean of chaos has buckled your knees, but give your chaos to God. He can tame it.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Matthew 2:1-12
More:
Read Genesis 1:1-10 and consider what this passage teaches about God’s relation to the chaos represented by the sea.
Next:
What person would you like to tell about God’s power over the ocean of chaos? How have you experienced God’s power over chaos?
Gene on June 12, 2014 at 7:29 am
This is a great passage in the book of Job and brings me to my knees as I read it. “Who is this that questions my wisdom…?” “Brace yourself…” (Job 38:2-3) We all question God’s wisdom at times, but all is better when we understand even a hint of His greatness. Communicating this to others is a powerful witness, yet it is challenging putting it into words. Thanks for the topic Mike.
Mike Wittmer on June 12, 2014 at 2:16 pm
Well put, Gene. I am glad that God has revealed Himself so that I truly know Him, and I am also glad that He is more than my finite mind will ever comprehend. It’s a relief to know there is Someone far above my pay grade.
lyn276 on June 12, 2014 at 4:00 pm
God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe,is truly awesome. Let us worship Him very day of our lives!
BearPair on June 14, 2014 at 5:07 am
Good stuff Mike! Scripture is simply replete wt illustrations of how God not only created the seas & those pesky monsters, He easily controls them. And it is so true that we often see our problems & trials just like those seemingly out-of-control forces. God IS good, and trustworthy, praise His name! 🙂
Mike Wittmer on June 17, 2014 at 8:21 pm
I just read a summary of the Babylonian creation myth, in which Marduk slays the chaos monster. The whole thing seemed rather silly. The opposite of the opening chapter of Scripture.