Buckets can hold both negative and positive biblical symbolism. In the first, we see the insignificance of the international scene compared to the purpose of God. We should never think God so busy with international affairs, that He has little concern for individuals. He is centred on “the least of these”. That’s the message of the Bible.
In the positive, water flowing out of buckets is a biblical symbol of His generous gift of Himself in His abiding Holy Spirit for anyone who wants Him.
But first the bucket as insignificant national bullies:
Surely the nations are like a drop in a bucket; they are considered a speck of dust on the scales; He lifts up the islands like fine dust.
The nations are but a drop of water in a bucket – so says Isaiah 40:15 from Heaven’s perspective. It is a picture of the insignificance of earthly powers, who stand against the plan of God. His plan is to redeem the earth, people – everything that is fallen and messy! If you dream about a Gardener carrying away a bucket with only a drop in it, recall that there is one nation that God has brought anew – His Family, His Garden, i.e., the New Jerusalem in the heavenly realm. These are all different symbols of God’s loving family. This is the wonderful position of Peace to all Men (humanity) that we can live from – and in. Have no fear of politics or powers in 2025, He will keep you under His wonderful wings in all circumstances. Psalm 91
I love dreams with an upturned bucket, with the drop poured out – the nations, also referred to as the ethnos, gentiles, dust, Egypt, Assyria and other ancient enslavers or invaders. They’re all symbols of the unbelieving world – all will be turned through 180 degrees to a state of faith. In the end, God wins and has only one family, His own special people or nation. War ceases when the nations are made one in Christ. Even the bitterest of enemies and invaders – as in Isaiah 19:22-25.
Instinctively in our hearts we know there should be no divisions, no us and them, no war except against evil itself. That is the war Jesus won so we can live inside His “team”.
And this desire for “oneness” comes from God. He has put His plan in our hearts.
Buckets of Flowing Water / Fountains / Rivers of Living Water
The other bucket symbol in the Bible is water flowing from multiple buckets. This is a very positive symbol. It’s the symbol of salvation. The flowing water is seen as fountains, streams, living water in the following passages (plus many more:
In the case of “buckets” of water flowing out, especially where it is a generous / continual flow, we see it is the water flowing which is biblically significant.
Numbers 24:7 “He shall pour water from his buckets, And his seed shall be in many waters. His king shall be higher than Agag, And his kingdom shall be exalted.”
Isaiah 41:18 I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, And the dry land springs of water.
Isaiah 55:1 “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters.”
John 4:13 and 14 Jesus speaks to an adulteress drawing water at a well,
“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘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 7:37-39
“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”
Revelation 22:1-5 – in this passage the temple / bride has morphed symbolically into the river of Life. The numbers and objects are generally symbols of the spiritual realm as Jesus explained at the start of the book of Revelation1:1 using the term, sēmainō (to reveal using symbols):
“And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. 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. 4 They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 5 There shall be no night there: They need no lamp nor light of the sun, for the Lord God gives them light. And they shall reign forever and ever.”
