“The Word or waters, which came first?” This question sometimes used metaphorically, but literal answers can be formulated for whether the “Word” or waters came first. The search for an answer, to some degree, becomes a spiritual quest for many like me.
According to United States (US) Geological Survey (USGS), about 71 percent (%) of the Earth’s surface is water-covered, and the oceans hold about 96.5 % of all Earth’s water. Water exists in the air as water vapor, in rivers and lakes, in icecaps and glaciers, in the ground as soil moisture and in aquifers (groundwater), even in human beings and animals, respectively. Our planet’s water supply is constantly moving from one place to another, and forms to another through “water cycle,” also known as the “hydrologic cycle.”
To this day no one knows the exact origin of water on Earth. However, there are few scientific hypotheses exist for the age of the Earth to be approximately 4.5 billion years (USGS). In fact, my search on this topic took me all the way to the Ancient Greek philosopher known as Thales of Miletus (624 BC-546 BC), a pre-Socratic philosopher, mathematician, and astronomer, and also known as one of the “Seven Sages, or Wise Men of Greece,” who theorized that the earth, which is denser than water, emerged from the water (Aristotle, Metaphysics Alpha).
Interestingly, I noticed that “water and religion” have some mutual relationship. As we know that water is considered as a purifier in most of the world religions. Why is it so? Is there a direct correlation between the “Word and water?”
Much to the amazement of my queries and quest on “Word and water, I found the right answer nowhere other than the “Holy Bible.” That is, precisely in the First Book, Fist Chapter, and First Verse. “And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. (Gen.1:1-2 AKJV).” In fact, we see “hydrologic cycle” is clearly indicated in this Chapter.
Regarding the “Word,” “in the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God (John 1:1 AKJV).” “He sends out His word and melts them; He causes His wind to blow, and the waters flow (Ps.147:18 NKJV).” “For there are three that bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit; and these three are one (1 John 5:7 NKJV).” “This is He who came by water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth (1 John 5:6 NKJV).” “And there are three that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one (1John 5:8NKJV).” “Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life (John 4:13 NKJV).”
Based on these facts and without any hesitation we can conclude that it is the “Word,” which came first. That is Jesus Christ! I admire who first provided this Word and Water to us.