Biblical Images


  wormwood (or 'bitterness')

Definition
A wood named for its bitter taste. Symoblizes a curse.

Key passages:
Lam 3:19, Jer 9:15, Rev 8:11

Related passages:
Ex 7:20 (Nile turned to blood)
Ex 15:22-26 (waters of "Marah" healed['bitter'])
2 Ki 2:19-22 (bitter waters "healed" by salt!)
Num 5:18-27, Ex 32:20, Rev 16:19 (punishment for the harlot)

Related language:
"bitter (waters)" "poison", "waters that bring a curse"
cup (of wrath, of bitter wine, gall, vinegar, blood)

Opposite:
"living waters"
*from the Rock (on God's Mountain)
*from God's throne
*from Christ's side

Overview of Biblical Use:
Good drinking water is essential to life itself. Not surprisingly then, the lack of water (as in the desert) or water that is undrinkable is a central Biblical curse.

The first curse on Egypt is the turning of the water to blood. This is also a prominent curse in Revelation (8:8-11, 16:3-6), where we read of a star named "Wormwood" that turns the rivers and streams to blood. Through the prophets God announces the judgment of bitter food and drink on the nations, and on his rebellious people (Isa 51:17-23, Jer 25:15-16).

But God can also "heal" the bitter water, or take away the cursed cup. He blesses his people with fresh "living water" even in the desert (Ex 17). His own throne, on his mountain, is the source of this water of life (Ezk 47, Rev 22).

In the NT, Christ himself is the source of "living water". He himself takes the curse, submitting to drink the bitter cup of wrath, as the Father wills (Mark 14:36). His drinking the bitter cup of wine-vinegar on the cross (Jn 19:28-30, compare "gall" in Psalm 69:21)is a symbol of this. As a result God's people drink a "cup of blessing" of the blood of Christ.

Songs
All Hail the Power"(v.4 'the wormwood and the gall')
"Like Streams in the Desert"
"Taste and See" (v. 2)
Search for other related hymns using "waters," "bitter,"
"taste," and other words listed above.


Check here for more ideas on how to use these themes for worship.

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