Pauls’ Zeal for the Gospel- journeys and sufferings- in a nut shell

I thought so much after this cruise to Turkey, Greece and Italy and some other islands, about Paul and his missionary journeys. New Testament recorded three missionary journeys of Paul and God used those journeys to spread the message of the Gospel of Christ to Asia Minor and Europe. Saul who became Paul after meeting Christ on his road to Damascus was a very well educated leading Jew who was taught under Gamaliel and he was well versed in the laws of the Old Testament. It was also recorded in the New Testament how after the death and resurrection of Christ, Paul then Saul was persecuting the churches, and even participated heartily in the execution of the first Christian Martyr, Stephen which was recorded in Acts 7:55; 8.

Below is the trade route of Paul's Second Missionary Journey, with Silas returning to Asia Minor and on into Europe c AD49-52

Maps of Pauls missionary journeys

www.ccel.org569 × 404Search by image

Taken from Acts 18:23b-20:3a - (After spending some time in Syrian Antioch [1], Paul starts on his Third Missionary Journey, and .

How the Lord met Paul on the road to Damascus was a life changing event and he repented, and turned his faith in Jesus Christ and he started to persuade Jews and Christians using his experience. Many doubted and shunned him but Barnabas was one who spoke up for Paul and he became a missionary partner. Below is the chronicle of his missionary journeys and the different trade routes.

Paul’s first missionary journey was recorded in the Book of Acts chapter 13 and 14. Paul together with his missionary partner Barnabas heeded the call from God and left the church at Antioch in Syria for their first missionary journey. Initially Paul and Barnabas preached in the town synagogues as their mode of evangelism. When this mode of evangelism failed, they began to share the ‘Gospel of Good News’ to the Gentiles. Because of Paul’s strong faith in Christ Jesus, Saul who persecuted many Christians once became Paul who was persecuted! Through trials, beatings imprisonment, and stoning he continued to preach the Gospel of the ‘Risen Christ’. Paul preaching the Gospel to the Gentiles brought great controversy about who could be saved.  Between his first and the second missionary journey he attended a conference at Jerusalem discussing about the ways to Salvation and the final consensus was that the Gentiles can receive salvation without submitting to Jewish traditions.  

Paul’s second missionary journey was recorded in the Book of Acts between chapters 15-18. They stayed in Antioch building up the church, and this was the place where the first church started. Paul was ready for his missionary journey and there rose a dispute between Paul and Barnabas and hence Paul went with Silas to Asia Minor and Barnabas went with John Mark to Cyprus. This is another good example to prove how God can use even dispute to glorify Himself, if we genuinely believe Christ and in His unfailing love. Even the dispute became a vehicle to spread the Gospel to different parts of the world. Later God in His providence directed Paul and Silas to Greece and in a way Gospel was brought to Europe. Missionary journeys were not without trials and persecution, because at Philippi Paul was imprisoned and in this suffering in imprisonment they sang in jail. God Who controls and orchestrate the events around the world, caused a huge earthquake which swung opened the prison doors and the chains fell off from Paul and Silas and they were freed.  This is the place where the jailer and his family accepted Christ, and at this amazement and wonder the government officials in fear begged Paul and Silas to leave their territory. Fear rose among people wherever Paul and Silas traveled and preached the Gospel of Christ. 

Talking about their ’unknown God’ to the inquisitive audience was in Athens where Paul proclaimed that the true God is the only one who was not made by man. Idols are man-made, and God of the heavens and earth cannot be made by men, and preaching to their inscription of their ‘unknown God’ was the main theme of Paul at Athens. When Athenians heard this new doctrine some of them sneered and some said would love to hear more about this new doctrine at a later time. When I stood at Mars Hill, I could attain more understanding why some of them sneered because Athenian culture was a very highly educated culture but ignorant of the true God. Paul continued to debate with them in that culture and those who believed in Jesus Christ established churches. In this second missionary journey many Disciples of Christ from different back grounds came forward and joined Paul’s missionary work. The young Timothy, the business woman Lidya, and Aquila and Priscilla gave tremendous support in this missionary work for Paul. God is a great provider and He provides the right people at the right place to enhance the kingdom work and this is evident in Paul’s second missionary journey.


The third missionary journey was recorded in the Book of Acts from chapters 18-20, and here we find that the Gospel was fervently preached in Asia Minor. Many signs and wonders followed Paul’s ministry and God revealed Himself to be faithful in Paul’s ministry. In Acts 20, in this missionary journey we noted that Paul was preaching a very long sermon at Troas while a young man slept and fell out of the window and died and God used this situation to glorify Himself when he was revived by Paul miraculously.  In Ephesus, people who were involved in Occult came and surrendered their lives and their books were burned. When the idol makers lost their business the rose of revolt, caused tremendous persecution to Paul. The persecution caused unity among believers and the true Christians began to spread the Gospel. Towards the end of his third missionary journey Paul knew that he will be imprisoned and killed soon, and his final words to the Ephesians showed his deep devotion to Christ.

Let us read Acts 20:18-24 together.   

·         And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,  Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:  And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:  Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God; Acts 20:18-24.

Many of us can reasonably suggest there would have been another that is the fourth missionary journey, but Biblical data is not sufficient enough to prove this. What we have is the concrete three missionary journeys and we find the same theme running throughout his missionary journeys; that is proclamation of God’s sufficient grace for the remission of the sins of the world and freely available for all whomever who believes in the name of Lord Jesus Christ.  Gospel was preached for the Gentiles and churches were established. His letters to the churches, at that time encouraged believers and churches. The Pauline Gospels in the New Testament still support and is a great source of encouragement for the church and stands as a true doctrine of Christ. For Paul life in Christ is worth the cost, because of what he did and is supported by what he has written in the Book of Romans.

·         For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?  Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.  Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord; Rom 8:29-39.

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For further reading

What were the different missionary journeys of Paul?

www.gotquestions.org/missionary-journeys-Paul.html

Where did the Apostle Paul go on his missionary journeys? ... His final words to the church at Ephesus display his devotion to Christ: “You yourselves ... except that the Holy Spirit solemnly testifies to me in every city, saying that bonds and ...

Maps of Pauls missionary journeys

https://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/CN092MAPS1.htm

The Letters are not in their normal New Testament Order, but in the date order generally agreed by most scholars. Paul's Letters are integrated into the story of ...

St Paul's Missionary Journey

eoc.dolf.org.hk/livingev/stpaul.htm

The second missionary journey of St Paul and his missionary team, starts again ... The first part of Paul's second missionary journey was spent in revisiting the ...

Chronology of Apostle Paul's Journeys and Epistles

www.matthewmcgee.org/paultime.html

A timeline of the events of the ministry of the Apostle Paul. The years of his journeys and the years of the writing of his epistles.

Pauls Journeys - Loyola Press

www.loyolapress.com › Liturgical Year

Paul traveled over 10,000 miles proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. His journeyson land and sea took him primarily through present day Israel, Syria, Turkey ...

Paul's Missionary Journeys and Journey to Rome

www.simplybible.com/f757.htm

Summary of the journeys and periods of the apostle Paul. Traditionally, Paul is said to have made three missionary journeys, plus a fourth journey to Rome.

Maps of Pauls missionary journeys

www.ccel.org569 × 404Search by image

Taken from Acts 18:23b-20:3a - (After spending some time in Syrian Antioch [1], Paul starts on his Third Missionary Journey, and .

Pruning process….

I looked at my garden this spring both at front and back and agonized that this garden of mine needs work. Some of my shrubs are stunted and not flowering very well and my trees looked very unhealthy and desperately wanted to do something to save and protect my garden because the trees and the flowering shrubs needed attention. I am not an expert with trees and plants, so I found a gardener asked him to come home and give me some expert advice. He said this garden of mine needs some good manure and also the trees need some pruning and the dead limbs from my trees need to be removed. Though sounds wonderful this needs meticulous hard work.

I do relate a lot of this garden and pruning to God’s Word and before digging deeper in God’s Word let us look at some meanings of the word ‘prune’.

Meaning of ‘prune’

verb

gerund or present participle: pruning

1.      trim (a tree, shrub, or bush) by cutting away dead or overgrown branches or stems, especially to increase fruitfulness and growth.

synonyms:

cut back, trim, thin, pinch back, clip, shear, top, dock "I pruned the roses"

cut away (a branch or stem).

"prune back the branches"

synonyms:

cut off, lop (off), chop off, clip, snip (off), nip off, dock "prune lateral shoots of wisteria"

 reduce the extent of (something) by removing superfluous or unwanted parts.

"reduction achieved by working harder or pruning costs"

synonyms:

reduce, cut (back/down), pare (down), slim down, make reductions in,make cutbacks in, trim, decrease, diminish, downsize, ax, shrink; informalslash "staff numbers have been pruned"

Pruning a tree in general is removing the dead stems and certain stems and branches in a special way so that this will benefit the tree and the plant as a whole. This is for the overall health of the tree because when we remove the dead and the diseased stems and branches that will prevent the insect and the decay organism from entering the tree. If the tree is very dense in pruning one had to thin it in order to increase sunlight and air which will help to reduce any diseases on the tree. A good gardener will be able to spot any suckers and water sprouts and remove them to provide more food and water for the tree because if they are present that may weaken the wood. If there are any cross branches that should be eliminated because they may rub against each other and cause further damage to the trees.

Please refer Images for what are crotches in trees

Please follow the above link for more understanding about pruning of trees and looking after a garden. I have given couple of pictures and their websites below so we gain understanding.

Figuring Out Figure: Crotch - WOOD Magazine

www.woodmagazine.com › Wood and Supplies › Wood Figure

The figure is also referred to as plume or a feather. Crotch is a figure that develops when a tree knits a trunk to a branch or two branches together (image 1). It is often referred to as a plume or a feather (image 2). Almost all hardwood trees have crotchesalthough not all crotches are created equal in splendor.

When the trees get older and when there are narrow crotches that has to be removed to eliminate further bearing and tearing of the wood. Another important thing to remember and do is something very interesting if we want the tree to grow tall. Especially if there are 2 branches growing taller together they are called as ‘co-dominant leaders’ and a good gardener will meticulously do something about the branches. It is important to remove one of the equally dominant branch to allow the other branch to grow and become the dominant branch. This helps the tree as a whole because splitting and tearing of the wood in heavy winds is prevented and the tree is healthier. By pruning the trees the safety especially near the drive way and the sidewalks are guarded. This will help to maintain the natural tree form and in a way pruning stimulate the growth of the tree in the right desired form and also restrict the growth that is undesirable.

When to prune our trees can be a good and serious question. We can prune our trees any time but researchers say that we should prune them between late winter and early spring before the bud and leaves and new life springs up. There should be a good plan about which branch to remove and get started with hand pruners, loppers and with a pruning saw.

We all think we can prune our own trees in our garden and this is very easy and fun! But most of us do not know, that the very act of pruning the trees wound the trees. Pruning the trees right needs a bit of learning just like any other art since pruning the tree is an art. When pruned right that helps and enable the tree to thrive well and when done wrong this will harm the trees. Tree experts say that trees do not ‘heal’ the wounds and it does ‘seal’ the wounds. When the tree is pruned right a callus grows almost like a donut and this grows until the cut is covered and this is called ‘sealing’. God is a great God, and that amazes me when I am writing to realize that He even cares for the trees in our garden. Inside that particular pruned tree a ‘chemical boundary’ is formed around the wounded area that compartmentalizes the wound and this limits further decay which may result from that wounding. When pruned wrongly like flush cuts or leaving on stubs will cause wounds that will not callus over or compartmentalize.

When we look at the picture below we find some dark shaded areas and these are the areas on the tree that contain the chemicals that initiate the callus growth. So when pruning the trees one had to be very careful to protect the compartmentalization that protect the wound created by the cut. This natural process of chemical protection from the tree is very effective and it is not necessary to apply paint or something else which may rot the tree.

Why, When, & How to Prune Your Trees

www.wcfb.sailorsite.net/WCFB/Pruning.html

Why, When, & How to Prune Your Trees. Pruning a tree is removing specific branches or stems to benefit the whole tree. Why prune a tree? Health. Remove dead, damaged and diseased branches to help prevent insect & decay organisms from entering the tree.

I have spent much time explaining about pruning of trees so that we can understand what Jesus was teaching to His disciples in John15. Jesus spoke in metaphors, so that even a child can understand. If I would explain this pruning with pictures of trees to an 8 year old child he/she will be able to understand better John 15. Jesus was a great teacher and He wants us to understand the mysteries of the Kingdom of God, and He made it easier with metaphors. Now let us begin to understand what are the true and spiritual meanings of ‘vine’ and the ‘vine dresser’.  

Spiritual pruning: What is spiritual pruning?  

Like the trees and the shrubs in our garden we need pruning, I meant ‘spiritual pruning’ in order for our steps to be ordained by the Lord. This pruning though it is harder for us as fallen men, this is very necessary because in our fallennes we all want to walk the way we wanted! Just like the very act of pruning the trees wound the trees spiritual pruning wounds us, hurts us but eventually begins to yield fruit bountifully. We all wanted to do well in all that we do, but in order to flourish and be fruitful we need the right gardener in our life to prune and tend us. No one can be the greater gardener than our Creator Who is our maker of our souls.  There is not even one husbandman or the vine dresser in this earth who is so wise, so watchful about His own vineyard as God is about His Church.

¹That Jesus Christ is the vine, the true vine. It is an instance of the humility of Christ that he is pleased to speak of himself under low and humble comparisons. He that is the Sun of righteousness, and the bright and morning Star,compares himself to a vine. – Mathew Henry

¹John 15 Commentary - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole ...

www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry.../john/15.html

Read John 15 commentary using Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). Study the bible online using commentary on John 15 and more!

Let us read Gospel of John 15 verses 1-16 and we can do our own Word study on the words underlined and in blue to gain more insight.  

I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.  Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.  Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.  If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.  If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.  Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.  If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

God is that wise vine dresser, and He wants to take away any branch in Him that does not bear fruit, and He does pruning in a very wonderful but painful way so that we bear fruit. He wanted us to know that unless we continue to abide in Him, we cannot bear fruit. The metaphor the vine and its branches are much bigger than our thought: the vine is the source and sustenance of life for its branches. When we look around we can reasonably come to the conclusion that fruit-bearing branches are genuine Christians who continue to abide in Christ, and when we identify the ‘fruitless Christians’ this could raise a huge question in our hearts and mind. The immediate answer which comes to my mind is Jesus and His 11 Disciples who are fruit bearers, and the fruitless branch the betrayer, Judas.

When we read God's Word and learn to abide in Christ we begin to understand the love God has for us, and the beauty and the intensity of His plan for us, and His tender loving care for us, and His unconditional love for us, and His vision and His thought toward us, and then we begin to understand why He would prune us? "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end:"Jer: 29:11.

What shall we learn from the above metaphor and illustration?

·         As teachers of the law we had to be careful when we lead others. When we prune wrongly we wound the tree/person and damage the person. We have to learn from God, the Vine dresser who does pruning in a very meticulous, wise and watchful way caring for the souls. We have to understand the genuine love of God for His people, and if we do not have genuine love for people we have to question our calling.

·         We have to understand if we are genuinely rooted in Christ; because Jesus said if we do not abide in Him we cannot bear fruit. So the fruit giving is directly proportional to abiding in Christ. If there is no yielding of fruit, we have to take an inventory of our walk and abiding in Christ to make sure that the light we think we are in is not darkness!

·         Pruning indeed is a painful process but we begin to understand the depth and height and intensity of God’s love through Him pruning us though it was unpleasant. God is more concerned about bringing our fallen mind and heart more close to Him rather than being cut off!

·         We are continuously being transformed into the image of Christ, and that means we should continue to abide in Christ the Vine.

·         A branch that is truly connected with the Vine that is Christ is safe and secure even if we are in a storm. If we have a superficial connection that means that we are not abiding in Christ, because the life of the Vine that is Jesus is not flowing through us with superficial connection. 

·         Unless we remove the spindly vines and the dead leaves and prune them seasonally the vine will not be fruitful. The richest, the most fruitful lives are those who have been strengthened through very painful process.   

God our husbandman cuts away the dead wood which could damage our lives in order for us to be fruitful. God Who knows our inmost thoughts and heart, and who wired us individually is the only One who knows whatever can hinder our growth. God our vine dresser prunes us off certain bad habits, wrong thought pattern and also certain dependencies so that we become fruitful. We shall continue to ask the Lord for greater endurance to withstand the tests, trials and hard ships which are part of His pruning us, so that we will bear much fruit and fruit so abundantly.

That the Father is the husbandman, georgos —the land-worker. Though the earth is the Lord’s, it yields him no fruit unless he work it. God has not only a propriety in, but a care of, the vine and all the branches. He hath planted, and watered, and gives the increase; for we are God’s husbandry, 1 Cori: 3:9²- Mathew Henry

²John 15 Commentary - Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole ...

www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry.../john/15.html

Read John 15 commentary using Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). Study the bible online using commentary on John 15 and more!

For further reading:

John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. - Bible Hub

biblehub.com/john/15-1.htm

Never was any husbandman so wise, so watchful, about his vineyard, as God is about his church, which therefore must prosper. We must be fruitful. From a vine ...

The Vine and the Branches - Grace to You

www.gtycanada.org/resources/positions/P25/the-vine-and-the-branches

The metaphor in John 15 is of a vine and its branches. ... The true meaning of the metaphor is made clear when we consider the characters in that night's drama.

John 15:1 - I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. - GodVine

www.godvine.com › Online Bible › John › John 15

John 15:1 - I am the true vine, and my Father is the farmer. ... The point of the comparison or the meaning of the figure is this: A vine yields proper juice and ...

John 15:1-4: The Vine and the Branches - Study Guide - Grace to You

www.gty.org/resources/study-guides/40.../the-vine-and-the-branches

Does that mean Christians can lose their salvation and perish, or that they are ... God was "the husbandman" (John 15:1; KJV) who operated through His people.

The Allegory of the Vine and the Branches : Christian Courier

https://www.christiancourier.com/.../1074-allegory-of-the-vine-and-the-b...

There is a brief context in John's Gospel record that we would like to explore briefly, not ... though we do not mean to suggest that this study exhausts all possibilities. ... it shall be done unto you” (John 15:1-7; with supplementary instruction following). ... Jesus identifies the “husbandman” as “my Father,” i.e., God, the Father.

The Vine and the Vinedresser - Helpmewithbiblestudy.org

helpmewithbiblestudy.org/1God/NamesVinedresser_Radmacher.aspx

A vinedresser, or husbandman, is more than a mere farmer. ... And, what does Hemean by this? ... is examined, the focus is not on the nation of Israel and what it should have been; compared to the analogy in Isaiah, John 15 is a contrast.

John 15 Metaphysical Bible Interpretation | TruthUnity

www.truthunity.net/mbi/john-15

Nov 29, 2013 - ^15:1I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. ^15:2Every branch in me that beareth not fruit, he taketh it away: and every branch that ...

John 15 KJV - I am the true vine, and my Father is - Bible

Valleys-Why am I here, how should I respond, & what can I learn?

Most of us understand that valleys and hardships are part of life, and the question here is can God use these valleys to develop character in our lives? It is also very easy to encourage and teach someone to stand firm, and to move forward with a hope when they are in a valley, unless we are in a valley and we realize to be in a valley is so hard! Sometimes if we do not have a clear perspective this can distort our thinking in many ways:

·         This can distort our perception of God, and also distorts our relationship with Him.

·         Our walk as a Christian can be boring, tired and without enthusiasm.

·         We can lose sight of wanting to grow spiritually and we may become complacent.

·         We may lose sight that only in trials God teaches our hands to war for a victorious life.

·         It is also possible our hearts can become hard and we begin to hurt others and shift blame on others.

When I think about a ‘valley’ the first thing that comes to my remembrance is Psalm 23. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”. This Psalm does indeed talks about the valley of the shadow of death, as deep, dark and dirty and frightening!

Let us look at some of the meanings of valleys, especially the Biblical meanings. I am giving these different valleys and their meanings so that the readers have a better perspective when they read my writing.

What is a Valley: ‘Tracts of land between mountains are called Vales’.

 “And the Philistines stood on a mountain on the one side, and Israel stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them”. 1 Samuel 17:3

Valley - a depression in the earth's surface between ranges of mountains, hills, or other uplands. In the NKJV the word valley is the translation of several different Hebrew and Greek words.

Below are some of the Hebrew words for Valleys and different Hebrew words refer to different meanings for valleys. This will be a good illustration to understand that the valley or the valleys we face can be so different, from the valleys our neighbor will be facing.

·         One Hebrew word refers to a split or cleft place, more like a plain than a valley. This word is used of the valleys of Aven (Amos 1:5), Jericho (Deut. 34:3), Lebanon (Josh. 11:17), Megiddo (II Chron. 35:22), and Mizpah (Josh. 11:8).

·         Another Hebrew word, meaning "a deep place", refers to a long, broad sweep of land between parallel hill or mountain ranges. In the NKJV this particular Hebrew word is used of several valleys, including Achor (Josh. 7:24, 26), Hebron (Gen. 37:14), and Succoth (Ps. 60:6; 108:7).

·         Another Hebrew word, meaning "gorge", refers to a deep, narrow ravine, usually with a stream at the bottom. Some of the valleys to which this word applies are Hamon Gog (Ezek. 39:11, 15) and Hinnom (Josh. 15:8; Neh. 11:30).

·         A fourth Hebrew word, which means "a ravine", refers to the bed or channel of a stream that is usually dry except during the rainy season, when it may become a rushing torrent. Some of the "valleys" to which this word applies are the Arabah (Amos 6:14), Gerar (Gen. 26:17), and Sorek (Judg. 16:4; see photo above).

A Greek word translated as valley means "a precipice". This word occurs only once in the New Testament of the NKJV: "Every valley shall be filled and every mountain and hill brought low" (Luke 3:5).

The valleys of Palestine vary considerably in shape and size. Some are deep canyons or narrow gorges, while others are broad, fertile plains.

Dales.

“And the king of Sodom went out to meet him after his return from the slaughter of Chedorlaomer, and of the kings that were with him, at the valley of Shaveh, which is the king's dale.” Genesis 14:17

Fat valleys, when fruitful.

“Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim, whose glorious beauty is a fading flower, which are on the head of the fat valleys of them that are overcome with wine!” Isaiah 28:1

Rough valleys, when uncultivated and barren.

 “And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley:” Deuteronomy 21:4.

The Bible, in Psalm 84:5, 6, mentions the valley of Baca: “Blessed are those whose strength is in you, who have set their hearts on pilgrimage. As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a place of springs: the autumn rains also cover it with pools”. (NIV)

What then is the Valley of Baca?

Baca has been translated either as ‘weeping’ or ‘balsam trees’ (which grow in dry places). It could be a real place, in which case it was a valley through which the pilgrims passed during their journey. Alternatively, it could be figurative.

·         Is not God in the height of heaven? And behold the height of the stars, how high they are! And thou sayest, "How doth God know?" Job 22:12,13a

·         Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Prov. 3:5

·         Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee. Job 22:21

E.W. Bullinger describes the valley "of Baca" as "of weeping". It can be the valley of tears as well as a desert experience. The two go together very well. When one is deluged with tears, they have no more hope than if they were lying in the hot dust of a desert, with no water in sight.

·         Sufferings come to a believer and also to a non-believer. I believe in the life of a believer valleys are always connected with God, because in these valleys the Spirit of God teaches us to walk by faith and not by sight. It is a great revelation for me to understand that in the valleys God is with me much more than I could possibly imagine and gives me the understanding that sorrow, bereavement and sufferings are the package that comes along with God in the life of a believer. This does not mean that every valley we are in God wants us to teach something, but definitely He wanted us to unlearn something.  It is almost like, God wants me to be His beloved child and wants to trust Him totally and the other people in my life are becoming a shadow. This is a great work in progress for my soul as His beloved child, and God is totally involved in this work with me, and me alone. This is totally humbling, awe inspiring and part of me wonder about God’s deep love for me.

Valleys as Scenes of Battle makes lots of sense because this is where most of our battles are done. Broad valleys or plains often became scenes where battles were carried out in Old Testament times, for their breadth made them more suitable for warfare. Already in the Scriptural record (Gen 14:1-16) a formidable battle consisting of a league of four kings from the eastern part of the Fertile Crescent, which attacked a group of five kings from the western part that had rebelled against the Elamite king Chedolaomer is recorded.

Sweeping from north to south, the invading four kings won a series of battles that led them ever southward into the Valley of Siddim where they defeated their rivals and, took    all the possessions of Sodom and Gommorah and left” (v.11). Many other battles in broad valleys are detailed in the Scriptures. Many of Joshua’s campaigns were fought in such places (e.g., Josh. 7:1-3; 8:1-29 [cf. 7:24-26]; 11:8, 17). Such was the famous battle against the Amorites, whose climax featured the day when the sun and the moon “stood still . . . over the valley of Aijalon.¹¹

Valley then is that place in our life where there is so much of trouble and disturbance, and we do not like it and we wanted our life to be peaceful. As explained above, valleys are different and each one of us may face a different valley, at varied times where the intensity of the depth and width are different. Very often I explain a valley using a mathematical expression called a sine curve. There are mountain peaks and valleys in this sine curve, and we do not like the experience of sitting at the bottom of the valley, especially when the depth is greater. This is the place very often even a believer can be confused, conflicted, confounded and faces what is hopelessness and despair. This is the place where one’s experience is dark and gloomy and our soul longs for freedom and we desperately wanted to come out of this deep valley. In that bleak confused, confounded moment of being trapped, coming out of that valley seems to be humanly impossible. Our souls and all that is within us long and cry out to the Living God for that freedom and we want that mountain top experience soon where there is light and peace.

It is wise to ask ourselves the following questions when we are in a valley:

·         Why am I here?

·         How should I respond?

·         What can I learn from this experience?

Every human being experiences suffering at one time of life or another. Even though Christians know that God cares about our suffering, many wonder why God allows it. The Bible speaks of this is in many places and also provides the answers to our questions. Of course God knows and He cares for our situation. He is omnipotent, and sovereign; He has a plan for everything He allows under Heaven. In Psalm 18, the following verses are very helpful for someone who goes through a valley experience.

²⁸ For thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. ²⁹ For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. ³⁰ As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. ³¹ For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God? ³² It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. ³³ He maketh my feet like hinds' feet, and setteth me upon my high places. ³⁴ He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. ³⁵ Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy right hand hath holden me up, and thy gentleness hath made me great. ³⁶ Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. ³⁷ I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed.  ³⁸ I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. ³⁹ For thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me; Psa: 18:28-39.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; Ps: 23:4- The true friend of God has nothing to fear in that dark valley. His great Shepherd will accompany him there, and can lead him safely through, however dark it may appear. The true believer has nothing to fear in the gloomiest scenes of life; he has nothing to fear in the valley of death; in the grave; and in the world beyond.

Yet, in these valleys, God teaches us and make us strong, builds our character, moulds us, shapes us and designs us to His heart’s desire. ¹James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting. ² My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; ³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. ⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. ⁵ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him; Jam: 1:1-5. This is not an easy journey, but very profitable spiritually and God is very near to those who are broken. Even the valleys become fruitful in a believer’s life and even death itself is fruitful of comfort to God’s people. They will not be lost in this valley but will reach the other side, and God will help them in this valley.

To read the Word of God in times of trials is so comforting. Word of God is filled with examples of our patriarchs like Joseph, Daniel, Gideon, Abraham, Issac and others who have been in valleys and fought and won wars with the help of God.  ¹God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. ² Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; ³ Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah. ⁴ There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. ⁵ God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. ⁶ The heathen raged, the kingdoms were moved: he uttered his voice, the earth melted. ⁷ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. ⁸ Come, behold the works of the Lord, what desolations he hath made in the earth. ⁹ He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; he breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; he burneth the chariot in the fire. ¹⁰ Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. ¹¹ The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah. Psa: 46.

Lord Jesus Christ, who bridged the huge unexplainable chasm between God and man, is able to lift us out of any valley, no matter how deep and wide it may be!

Website References:

1. Psalm 84:6 As they pass through the Valley of Baca, they make it a ...

bible.cc/psalms/84-6.htmCached - Similar

As they pass through a valley where balsam trees grow, they make it a place of ... The word "Baca" (בכא bâkâ') means properly weeping, lamentation; and then it is .... be translated differently, and has been differently understood by all the Versions. ... they make it a well; either the valley a well with their tears, an hyperbolical ...

2. The Valley of Baca

answering-islam.org/BibleCom/baca.htmlCached

What Then is the Valley of Baca? Baca has been translated either as 'weeping' or 'balsam trees' (which grow in dry places). It could be a real place, in which ...

3. Bakkah - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BakkahCached - Similar

Others also identify it with the Biblical "valley of Baca" from Psalms 84 (Hebrew: בך‎). ... Then God opened her eyes and she saw a well of water. She went ... It can also be translated as "Valley of the Balsam Tree" or "Valley of the Weeper". This otherwise unidentified valley has been connected to Bakkah by Islamic writers.

4. Valley of Baca - Ask.com

www.ask.com/questions-about/Valley-of-BacaCached

What Then is the Valley of Baca? Baca has been translated either as 'weeping' or 'balsam trees' (which grow in dry places). It could be a real place, in which ...

5. Seven Bible Valleys -by Pastor Jack Hyles

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6. The View from the Valley | Bible.org - Worlds Largest Bible Study Site

bible.org/article/view-valleyCached

1 Several different terms are used to depict the character of these valleys, “From deep ..... One of the most familiar stories in the Bible is that of David and Goliath.

7. The Valley of Decision

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8. Valleys of the Bible

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We are going to study some of the valleys of the Bible today because we pass ... Do you ever say to another, “You poor thing, of course, you are discouraged ...

9. Psalm 23:4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of ...

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King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.) ... Even if I shall walk in the valleys of the shadows of death, I will not be afraid of evil, because you are .... Thy rod and thy staff - It may not be easy to mark the difference between these two words; but they ...

10. Bible Topics: Valleys

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Bible verses indexed by subject, from The New Topical Textbook by R. A. Torrey. ... stood on a mountain on the other side: and there was a valley between them.

11. The Lily of the Valley | Learn The Bible

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12. Spiritual Meaning of Valley - Bible Meanings

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That a valley is the lower things of the church, is evident from other passages in the Word, as in Isaiah;. The prophecy of the valley of vision. What hast thou here, ...

13. .Category:Hebrew Bible valleys - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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14.Bible Valley - Bible Valley

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15. valley - definition of valley by the Free Online Dictionary, Thesaurus ...

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Basin vs Valley A basin is a depression or hollow on the earth's surface, which is surrounded by higher land. A valley is also a ... A valley is also a depression or hollow between hills, mountains and uplands. A basin ... On the other hand, Valleys are usually V'“shaped. ... The valleys range from one to ten kilometres in width.

17. Biblical Places: Valley - Village

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Valley - a depression in the earth's surface between ranges of mountains, hills, or other uplands. In the NKJV the word valley is the translation of several different ...

Book References:

1.Payer To Move Your Mountains, “Powerful Prayers for The Spirit-Filled Life.” (Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, 2000)

2. Timothy Keller, Counterfeit GODS, “The Empty Promises of Money, Sex, and Power, and the Only Hope That Matters” New York Times Bestselling Author of The Reason for God and The Prodigal God, Published by Penguin Group (U.S.A) Inc; 2009.

3. Jay E.Adams, ‘The Christian Counselor’s Manual, ‘The Practice of Nouthetic Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1973)

4. Timothy Keller, ‘The Prodigal God’ Recovering the Heart of the Christian Faith; Author of the New York Times bestseller The Reason for God, Published by Penguin Group (U.S.A) Inc:copyright @2008 Timothy Keller.

5.David G. Benner & Peter C. Hill, ‘Baker Encyclopedia of Psychology & Counseling’ Second Edition, (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1985, 1999)

6.Dr. Larry Crabb, “Effective Biblical Counseling” How Caring Christians can Become Capable Counselors, (Hammersmith: Marshall Pickering, 1985), p. 100-104)

7.The Matthew Henry Study Bible, ‘King James version’ The best of Matthew Henry’s Notes in a Handy One Volume Reference Bible, World Bible Publishers, Inc; 1994, Iowa Falls, U.S.A.

8. David Seeking A Heart Like His, ‘Beth Moore’ Life Way Christian resources, Nashville, Tennessee, 2010, pgs: 206-210.

9.Jay E. Adams, ‘Critical Stages of Biblical Counseling’ Finishing Well, Breaking Through, Getting Started, (New Jersey: Zondervan, 2002)

10.Jay E. Adams, ‘How to Help People Change’ The Four-step Biblical Process, (Grand rapids: Zondervan, 1986)

11.John F. MacArthur, JR. Wayne A. Mack & The Master’s College Faculty, ‘Introduction To Biblical Counseling’, “A Basic Guide To The Principles And Practice Of Counseling”(Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers,1994)

12.Jay E. Adams, ‘Lectures on Counseling’ (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1978, p.192-203)

13.The Holy Bible, New King James version, Women of Destiny Bible, “Women Mentoring women Through the Scriptures” A Spirit Filled Life Bible, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee, Copyright 1982.

14. Deuteronomy becoming Holy People, Stephen D. Eyre, p:32-26; IVP connect, An imprint of Intervarsity Press, Downers Grove, Illinois, 1998, 2004.

15. Metzeger, Bruce M. (ed); Michael D. Coogan (ed) (1993). The Oxford Companion to the Bible. Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press. ISBN 0-19-504645-5.

16. Mitchell, Stephen, 1987. The Book of Job. San Francisco: North Point Press. Cited in R. T. Pennock, 1999, Tower of Babel, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.

17. Stormie Omartin, “The power of a praying wife”, Harvest House Publishers, Eugene 97402; copyright @1997; pgs81-85.

18. Timothy keller, ‘The Reason for God” Belief in an age of Skepticism, Published by Penguin Group, USA, New York 10014, Copyright,@ 2008; pgs:170-200.

19. William R. Miller, Kathleen A. Jackson, ‘Practical Psychology for Pastors’ The University of Mexico, Prentice Hall, Upper S le River, New Jersey 07458; @ 1995, 1985 pgs:248-292.