Genesis 2:10-14 records of ‘a‘ river that went out of Eden to water the garden and it parted into four. The first was named Pison, the second Gihon, the third Hiddekel (or Tigris) and the fourth Euphrates. Although the location of these rivers is mostly conjecture, and the meaning of the names of the rivers inconsequential, what is important to note is the the source of these four rivers was The One river of water that went out of Eden (garden/Paradise) (Genesis 2:10). Symbolically the number four could mean the four directions of the world (Revelation 7:1) implying that the single river went out to all the corners of the earth. But what was the source of this river? The Psalmist records of a river whose streams make glad the city of God (Psalm 46:4). Revelation 22:1 tells us of a river that proceeds out of the throne of God and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) – a river that is pure with the water of life. Jesus said that whoever believes in Him, out of him will flow rivers of living water, speaking of the Holy Spirit (John 7:38-39).
From these verses we can extrapolate that the river in Genesis is symbolically the Holy Spirit that flowed to all the parts of the sinless world for it is only by the Holy Spirit can the city of God be glad. The city of God is made up of God and his people, i.e., those who believe in Jesus, into whom and from whom, the river of life (Holy Spirit) of God flows, are the only ones who are allowed into the city of God. The Holy Spirit of God flows from the throne of God and the Lamb (Jesus Christ) and is pure (Holy) who gives Life.
Points to ponder:
Have you been watered by the River of Life? In other words, have you received the Holy Spirit of God? If not, I beseech you to believe in the Lamb of God, Jesus Christ, today, so that the Holy Spirit of God can be given to you.
And if you have, is the river of living water flowing from you? If not, why not?
Genesis 2:10-14 (KJV)
10 And a river went out of Eden to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became into four heads.
11 The name of the first is Pison: that is it which compasseth the whole land of Havilah, where there is gold;
12 And the gold of that land is good: there is bdellium and the onyx stone.
13 And the name of the second river is Gihon: the same is it that compasseth the whole land of Ethiopia.
14 And the name of the third river is Hiddekel: that is it which goeth toward the east of Assyria. And the fourth river is Euphrates.
Revelation 22:1-3 (KJV)
1 And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb.
2 In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him:
John 7:38-39 (KJV)
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
