The great deep probably refers to an underground water supply that would nurture growth and ordinarily be used to replenish crops after a fire.1 Land probably refers to Israel rather than the earth in general, but this judgment is a preview of what will happen on the final day of the Lord. On that day, the overwhelming wrath of God will destroy the whole created order (2 Peter 3:10; Revelation 20:11).2
4 This is what the Lord GOD showed me: behold, the Lord GOD was calling for a judgment by fire, and it devoured the great deep and was eating up the land.