“In the six hundredth year of Noah’s life…all the springs of the great deep burst forth, and the floodgates of the heavens were opened.” Genesis 7:11 (NIV)
The word for ‘spring’ is the Hebrew word mayan. It comes from the root word ayin which means: eye, mental and spiritual faculties, spring, fountain. Gesenius’ Lexicon states that metaphorically it appears to indicate the greatest joy, pleasure, or delight as in:
“…As well the singers as the players on instruments shall be there: all my springs (fountains) are in thee (Zion).” Psalm 87:7 (KJV)
The word for deep in Gen. 7:11 is the Hebrew word tehowm which means: deep (of subterranean waters), sea abysses, primeval ocean. The same passage uses the Hebrew word baqa: to split, cleave, break open, break up. Gesenius’ Lexicon says: “…to cleave and open anything shut, so that what is shut in may be liberated and break forth…”
The case could be made that our worship is like fountains, and God responds to our worship by breaking open the floodgates of heaven. The King James Version translates floodgates as windows. Noah’s flood destroyed all the enemy had corrupted. In the same way, as we worship, God breaks open the windows of heaven, releases a flood of His Presence, and destroys all the plans and schemes of the enemy. The established places of the enemy in our lives are consumed and destroyed as we give ourselves in worship.
The concept of fountains of worship being broken open and poured out, and God responding by pouring out the deep things of Himself, is seen in the following verses:
“Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers have swept over me.” Psalm 42:7 (NIV)
“… While he (Jesus) was eating, a woman came in with a beautiful alabaster jar of expensive perfume made from essence of nard.
She broke open the jar and poured the perfume over his head.” Mark 14:3b (NLT)
“But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets.” 1 Corinthians 2:10 (NLT)
We are to allow a fountain of worship to break forth from the depths of us. When Mary broke the box, it was symbolic of us being broken before Him. The Greek word for ‘broke open’ in Mark 14:3 is syntribo which means: to tear one’s body and shatter one’s strength. This was an act of complete worship – a complete giving of all she had.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your strength.” Compilation of: Deuteronomy 6:5, Mark 12:30, Luke 10:27 (NIV)
Jesus, I want to yield myself to be broken open before you! I pour my worship out on you and trust you to pour out your Spirit on me, and cleanse me from all that corrupts, just like in Noah’s flood. Search the depths and open the floodgates of the hidden mysteries of God to my heart.
–Kristie Shuman
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