Today we begin 1st Samuel Chapter 14.
For the Complete Jewish Bible, click HERE.
For the King James version, click HERE.
Even though we’ve just started a new chapter, it’s actually the very last verse of chapter 13 that sets the stage for the battle that’s about to unfold.
So let’s take a look at it as follows:
“Now a detachment of Philistines
had gone out to the pass at Mikmash.”
Here’s a photo for a visual overview:
As you can see, GEBA and MIKHMAS were located on opposite sides of each other.
However, what I want you to notice is the deep ravine or valley running through the center.
In Hebrew, this ravine was called a WADI.
A WADI is basically a dry river bed that only springs to life when there’s an occasional flash storm that fills it up with water.
Normally the river will flow to an underground well located a few feet underground that will capture the water.
But most WADIs served as channels that only temporarily filled up with water when there was rain or a thunderstorm before drying up again.
Israel’s army was located on the south side of the WADI while the Philistines were in the north side.
They were about a mile apart.
Now, this WADI was of strategic importance for two reasons.
First, it stretched and extended all the way to the Jordan River Valley.
Second, it connected to the road that led to the Mediterranean Sea.
In other words, this valley served as a natural highway that was useful for both traveling merchants and a marching army.
Whichever nation controlled this WADI was able to control its economic and military future.
So it was key to Israel and the Philistines to seize control of it…
Which leads to our takeaway for today.
Pay attention to how certain physical locations play important roles in Scripture.
I think a lot of Bible readers tend to overlook this because they’re so focused on the idea that God is spirit and the main teachings of Scripture are spiritual in nature.
While that’s true, we shouldn’t overlook how geography and certain physical locations carry great spiritual significance in Scripture.
Places like Jerusalem where Messiah will rule in the future…
Or the banks of the Jordan River where the 2nd generation of Israelites were circumcised before entering the Promised Land…
Or Har Megiddo (Armageddon in English) where the war to end all wars will take place…
All of these geographical locations carry great spiritual significance from God’s perspective that we shouldn’t overlook.
Ya feel me?
See you all next time.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem,
the city that kills the prophets
and stones those who are
sent to it! How often would
I have gathered your children
together as a hen gathers her
brood under her wings, and
you were not willing! See, your
house is left to you desolate.
For I tell you, you will not see
me again until you say,
‘Blessed is he who comes
in the name of the Lord.'”
-Matthew 23:37-39
P.S. Eric, Thanks for providing the photo! It proved to be very useful for the content of this post.
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