“The earth was formless and desolate. The raging ocean that covered everything was engulfed in total darkness, and the Spirit of God was moving over the water.” (Genesis 1:2)

 

In the second verse of the whole Bible we see the “Spirit of God” moving over the face of the water. So we can evidently see that the Spirit of the Lord was floating above the water. The fact that water is one of the first physical signs that we learn about in the creation story, let alone in the whole Bible, we gain understanding that water shaped creation, that it was and is the source of life. The spirit gave life to the waters, so that the waters could cleanse the earth, and give life to the creation. This verse in Genesis foreshadows Jesus’ baptism, where the Spirit of God is descending upon Jesus after coming out of the water. (refer to Matthew 3:16)

 

“The flood continued for forty days, and the water became deep enough for the boat to float. The water became deeper, and the boat drifted on the surface. It became so deep that it covered the highest mountains; it went on rising until it was about twenty-five feet above the tops of the mountains. Every living being on the earth died-every bird, every animal, and every person. Everything on earth that breathed died. The Lord destroyed all living beings on the earth-human beings, animals, and birds. The only ones left were Noah and those who were with him in the boat.” (Genesis 7:17-23)

 

Back in Genesis we see the great flood waters as a foreshadowing of baptism. The great flood was ordered by God as a punishment for the disobedience and wickedness of humanity. Except for Noah and his family and for two of every type of animal, perished in the flood. It was a rebirth for creation. God used water to cleanse the earth, to take away old life and bring new life to a new creation. By God’s grace, we become a part of God’s family through baptism. Noah and the flood show us two things that happen when we are baptised, firstly we are cleansed from our sin. Our old self is put to death as we go through the water, just like all the creation that walked the earth perished. However through Baptism we are raised up and saved from the waters as a new creation as Noah and his family were saved by God’s grace. 

 

“But when she could not hide him any longer, she took a basket made of reeds and covered it with tar to make it watertight. She put the baby in it and then placed it in the tall grass at the edge of the river.”(Exodus 2:3)

 

At the time of Moses’ birth, The Egyptians were asking all the Hebrew midwives to cast any male newborn child immediately into the Nile so that they may perish. This was to decrease the population of the Israelites, as the new King of Egypt saw the Israelites as a threat.  To protect her child, Moses’ mother put Him into a little ark and set him in the river. This is how Moses was saved from drowning . The name “Moses” in Hebrew means to draw out, which was given to him by Pharaoh's daughter who found him in the Nile. Reading this we are reminded of the story of the flood and how God saved Noah and His family from perishing. 

 

 

“Moses held out his hand over the sea, and the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind. It blew all night and turned the sea into dry land. The water was divided, and the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on both sides. The Egyptians pursued them and went after them into the sea with all their horses, chariots, and drivers. Just before dawn the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw them into a panic. He made the wheels of their chariots get stuck, so that they moved with great difficulty. The Egyptians said, “The Lord is fighting for the Israelites against us. Let's get out of here!” The Lord said to Moses, “Hold out your hand over the sea, and the water will come back over the Egyptians and their chariots and drivers.” So Moses held out his hand over the sea, and at daybreak the water returned to its normal level. The Egyptians tried to escape from the water, but the Lord threw them into the sea. The water returned and covered the chariots, the drivers, and all the Egyptian army that had followed the Israelites into the sea; not one of them was left.” (Exodus 14:21-28)

 

Another foreshadowing of baptism is in Exodus, when Moses through the power of God parts the waters of the Red Sea letting the Israelites be free from slavery. After the Israelites went through the water, Moses closed the parting, blocking and drowning the Egyptians. The Israelites pass through the water to freedom, continuing their journey to the promised land. This is similar in our journey of faith. As Jesus mentions, we have to be born again of water and the Spirit making it possible for us to cross into the eternal promised land, Heaven. 

 

“I will take you from every nation and country and bring you back to your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you and make you clean from all your idols and everything else that has defiled you. I will give you a new heart and a new mind. I will take away your stubborn heart of stone and give you an obedient heart. I will put my spirit in you and will see to it that you follow my laws and keep all the commands I have given you. Then you will live in the land I gave your ancestors. You will be my people, and I will be your God.” (Ezekiel 36:24-28)

 

As we read this verse, we see the promises of the spirit and new life of baptism shining through. In the book of Ezekiel, the Israelites were profaning the Holy name of God; but God wanted to vindicate His Holy name, make His name known to all. God says that he will bless Israel through water, and by this water, He will put His spirit into them, cleanse them from their sins and give them a new heart. God will give the Israelites the faith to follow and obey Him. This is an ideal example of what God does within us when we are baptised. God cleanses us, and gives us His spirit to guide us in our journey of faith. This passage also brings to light God’s unfailing mercy for His people, which He continues to do for us to the end of time.