Milk and Honey

Today we needed to make up class, so that’s what we did, all day. Staring at eight and ending at five, Dr. Wright lectured on the historical geography and its importance in our understanding of the area and our understanding of the Bible. The geography of the Jerusalem and the surrounding areas have really had an impact on the history of the city and the events recorded in the Bible. The topography of the hills and valleys surrounding the city has shaped how the city was built and defended itself. The soil composition in the area and the city’s location relative to trade routes and other cities, have really affected the city’s livelihood throughout history. It was fascinating to hear this from a man who truly knows the information, who loves this city and loves God.

            “A land flowing with milk and honey” Deuteronomy 11:9. When most of us think of this phase, we think of abundance.  But is this really the case. The Promise Land of Judah that the Lord provided to his people is the hardest is the hardest land to live in in the area.  It farther from trade, has less natural protection, and has worse soil, all in all a hard place to live. And yet this is the land the Lord has provided, the land of milk and honey. Maybe the promise land is not a land of abundance, but a land in which the Lord will provide. The Lord has put his people in this land, knowing that there will be hardships in their future, but He promise to be faithful and to provide; the land will have its milk and honey.

            After class, most of us went into the new city for dinner. We were able to get shwarma and pita, and eat it in a town square. We then went out to a pastry shop and between the whole  group of use got one of everything and tried a little bit of everything.  We strolled back to campus through the side streets of the city. It is really amazing how close all of us have become to each other in just a few days. I only really knew one other person on this program before it started ad now we have all become close to each other. The professor too, have come close to us. I guess that is just what happens when you spend every long, hot minute with a group of people.

            After we came back to campus we had our first worship together as a group. It was clear in this moment that we were here to worship God first, and be students second. We are worshiping God through all that we learn on this program, through the history of the sites and details of His word, but His worship is why we are here. It was such a great remaindered, and I hope that I can keep worship in the forefront of my mind.