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:
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 ...
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 ...
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.
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 ...
There are
seven great valleys in the Bible:
Siddim, Eschol, Kidron, Elah, Achor, ... men would want her, they would come to her apartment, one
after the other, ...
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.
The Bible often uses the
topographical imagery of “valleys”
to transmit an ... In another analogy, the Psalmist
paints a picture of death as being a deep dark ...
[PDF]
File
Format: PDF/Adobe Acrobat - Quick View
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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.
But
first, let's look at your questions--you indeed you have asked three different questions: 1)What is
the lily of the valley in the
Bible? 2)What is the Easter lily?
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, ...
Category:Hebrew Bible valleys. From Wikipedia, the
free encyclopedia. Jump to: navigation, search. Many scholars advocate use of
the term Hebrew Bible as
a ...
Bible Valley. ... Welcome to Bible-valley! The Bible
valley is an International Interfaith project dedicated to create,
in the vicinity of the footheels of Jerusalem ...
An
elongated lowland between ranges
of mountains, hills, or
other uplands, ... (Earth Sciences / Physical
Geography) a long depression in
the land surface, ...
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.
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)
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.
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.
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