Biblical lens

““I also have withheld the rain from you, when there were yet three months to the harvest; and I caused it to rain on one city, and caused it not to rain on another city. One field was rained on, and the field where it didn’t rain withered.”

Shows that rain (and its absence) can bring blessing or hardship, highlighting human dependence on responsible management of water.

“then the waters would have overwhelmed us, the stream would have gone over our soul.”

Speaks of flood danger overwhelming people, underscoring the moral urgency to protect communities from such disaster.

“God said, “Let’s make man in our image, after our likeness. Let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the sky, and over the livestock, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.””

Establishes the biblical mandate for human stewardship over the earth, including its water systems.

“So when Pilate saw that nothing was being gained, but rather that a disturbance was starting, he took water and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, “I am innocent of the blood of this righteous person. You see to it.””

Illustrates personal responsibility and the moral weight of taking (or refusing) action when others suffer.

“These have the power to shut up the sky, that it may not rain during the days of their prophecy. They have power over the waters, to turn them into blood, and to strike the earth with every plague, as often as they desire.”

Highlights that control over rain and water is a divine or prophetic power, reminding humans of their limited authority and the need for humility in managing natural resources.