If you believe and come to Jesus and drink out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:37-39
What Does Belly Mean In This Bible Verse?
While elsewhere belly can mean exactly as we think. Therefore, the stomach. In the context of this scripture it means: the innermost part of a man, the soul, heart as the seat of thought.
What Scripture Was Jesus Referring To?
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38.
There doesn’t seem to be an Old Testament bible verse referring to out of his belly shall flow rivers of living waters leading many to think there is a missing verse. The “as the scripture has said” statement, more likely refers to He that believes in me.
However, while Zechariah 14:8 is referring to end times events where it says, And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem, is interesting. Because out of your belly shall flow rivers of living water is referring to the Holy Spirit.
And it was first at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost that God poured out (again a water reference) his Holy Spirit upon all flesh. Acts 2:1-18. As prophecied in Joel 2: 28-32.
Could It Be Referring To Speaking In Tongues?
It is also of interest when the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit occured that thay all spoke in tongues as the Spirit gave them the utterance.
The Holy Spirit which was now on the inside and therefore in the innermost part of a man, the soul, heart as the seat of thought is manifesting tongues on the outside.
But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given. John 7:39
So Jesus says, rivers of living water will flow from you belly when you receive the Holy Spirit and then when they did receive the Holy Spirit what happened? They spoke in tongues.
They also preached the gospel which could also be a type of living water but they were doing that before they received the Holy Spirit.
Plus, speaking in tongues actually sounds like running water.
I remember going fishing with a friend and we decided once we got to this rock spot we would have some prayer. Anyway, I was half way up this rock ledge when I heard what sounded like a babbling brook, it was so striking I tried to find where the water was running through this rock.
When I got to the top of the rock and looked down the other side there was my friend praying in tongues. That was the sound of the babbling brook I heard. I stood there amazed how it sounded so much like rivers of living water.
How does coming to Jesus and drinking relate to hungering and thirsting for righteousness?
Coming to Jesus and drinking are metaphors for seeking spiritual fulfillment. Just as physical hunger and thirst drive us to seek food and drink, coming to Jesus and drinking represent our deep hunger and thirst for righteousness and spiritual nourishment. It’s about finding true satisfaction and fulfillment in our lives.
Similar Verses:
1: John 4:14
But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.
This verse speaks of the eternal spiritual satisfaction that Jesus offers. The water He gives symbolizes the Holy Spirit, which becomes a well of everlasting life within believers.
2: Proverbs 10:11
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Here, the words of a righteous person are likened to a well of life, suggesting that righteous speech can be spiritually nourishing and life-giving, similar to the ‘living water’ Jesus provides.
3: Proverbs 18:4
The words of a man’s mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.
This verse compares a person’s words to deep waters and wisdom to a flowing brook, emphasizing the depth and life-giving quality of wise speech, akin to the spiritual water Jesus offers.
4: Isaiah 12:3
Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
This verse talks about drawing water with joy from the wells of salvation, symbolizing the joy and fulfillment found in God’s salvation, much like the living water Jesus speaks of.
5: Isaiah 44:3
For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring:
God’s promise to pour water on the thirsty and His Spirit on His people highlights the idea of divine provision and spiritual refreshment, resonating with the concept of living water.
6: Zechariah 14:8
And it shall be in that day, that living waters shall go out from Jerusalem; half of them toward the former sea, and half of them toward the hinder sea: in summer and in winter shall it be.
The prophecy of living waters flowing from Jerusalem in the end times symbolizes spiritual life and salvation, aligning with the theme of Jesus providing living water.