“…who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well.” Psalm 84:6, “And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope.” Hosea 2:15
Dear Ones:
Life is filled with valleys, as well as mountains. Sometimes those valleys are like the valley of Baca, a place which had the reputation of being “waterless,” a desert. The other type of valley is like that of Achor, which is a door of opportunity and hope. The psalmist tells us that even godly men pass through valleys like Baca, but what characterizes them is that their “…strength is in Thee (in God).” (Ps. 84:5) There is also the consequent knowledge of the ways of God, and His leading. The result is that those men make the valley of Baca “a well.” Jesus, many years after the writing of this psalm, said to the Samaritan woman, “…the water that I shall give him shall be in him A WELL of water, springing up into everlasting life.” (Jn.4:14) Is He not speaking in both instances of the living water of His Spirit, giving life, and transforming an arid experience into one of life and power? The psalmist goes on to say of this “believing” man, he (they) shall “…go from strength to strength, every one of them appeareth before God.” (v.7) What a reward of faith!
The second valley, that of Achor, was declared to be by God “a door of hope.” The history of this valley goes back to the days of Joshua, and the conquest of Canaan. Achan, an Israelite, disobeyed God with regard to taking forbidden things from Jericho. He was stoned as a result in this valley of Achor. What then is the Lord seeking to communicate to us by speaking of this valley? In the context of Hosea where He speaks of this “door of hope, ” He also reveals how He has been seeking to draw Israel again back to Himself, and away from idolatry. He speaks of Israel as being an adulterous wife, whom He is also willing to forgive, cleanse, and give a new beginning. In spite of her unfaithfulness, He is willing to give her a most certain “…door of hope,” an opportunity to know and experience a new beginning by following Him.
Both of these valleys speak of knowing Christ, first as that One who gives living waters to the thirsty soul passing through the arid valleys of this world; then, as the One who extends His hand down in mercy to the needy soul whom He loves, to draw it out of darkness and destruction. Christ is the Giver of strength and power to traverse the Bacas of this world. He is equally the Compassionate Giver of forgiveness and cleansing, the Author and Provider of new beginnings.
Dear Father, give us to understand the difference between who Thou art and what we are, for we are certainly not like Thee. Give us to see Thee as Holy, completely separate from sin and selfishness, and thus, perfect love and power. Open our eyes to see the greatness of Thy heart, a heart that desires and wills to give not only hope, and a new beginning, but primarily THYSELF as the well of living water. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad