We were greeted in Israel with rain. I guess that is significant to me because rain in Israel was originally a fulfillment of a promise God made. Rain was conditioned on obedience to God’s Law. In many of Israel’s neighboring countries, it doesn’t rain. Most of the surrounding countries are arid desert, deriving water from rivers to cultivate and drink. If it rains, it isn’t much. The captive descendants of Jacob knew water came from basically one source, the Nile River. God reassured the wandering Hebrews water would be in abundance in the new land if they were obedient to Him. No doubt, God has been more gracious than man has been obedient in all the years.
God never intended rain to be an end in itself, but the means to an end. It was easy for the Hebrews to understand the temporal value. An abundance of water (dew, rain, snow) at the right season would equal good crops. Good crops equal more trade. Trade equals greater wealth. Wealth equals substantial power. But, all along we have seen that God’s goal is to develop faith in Him. Water is essential for survival. But, faith is essential for (eternal) life. Maybe that is why Jesus never compared Himself to water. He didn’t want us or others to misplace our faith. How often we are content with less than what God offers! Each of Israel’s water sources are designed by God to instill faith in Him.
I don’t know if “El Niño†affects the world, but it snowed just before our arrival to Jerusalem. Snow in Jerusalem is so rare they have no plows. We heard the city simply closed down! After a couple of days, the snow was gone and the city was back to normal. It is expected in the upper elevations, like around Mt. Hermon, for water to become snow. When the warm weather returns, the snow melts, feeding the Jordan River, which in turn waters the most fertile section of land in Israel and Jordan, the Rift Valley. What happens if the snow pack in a given year is less than expected or needed?
“Water is essential for survival.†Water equals good crops. Good crops equal more trade. Who needs faith?
The Jordan River is diverse. Like the Rio Grande, it separates two countries: Israel and Jordan. In places it roars like the Rogue River. In others it seems virtually stagnant, like the Los Angeles River. While no where near as wide as the Mississippi River, nor as narrow as the Wind River, the Jordan River has some spectacular scenery! But what good is all that beauty if the only river in the country dries up?
Water equals good crops. Good crops equal more trade. Trade equals greater wealth. Who needs faith?
Maybe the most unique water feature in Israel are the underground springs that supply a minimum amount of water for the deserts. We would ride what seemed an endless amount of time in all this barren wasteland, and then suddenly be upon an oasis. In the middle of nowhere! What care God had taken to prepare this desert with a water source.
After all, “water is essential for survival.†Even in the desert, water equals good crops. Good crops equal more trade. Trade equals greater wealth. Wealth equals power. Who needs faith?
Israel’s water sources are diverse and so are the country’s containers. The country holds the distinction of having the lowest spot on the earth (1300 feet below sea level at the Dead Sea). The Dead Sea has over 30% salt content. In no time your boat would decay or rust. There are no fish, yet most people can float there. They extract some wonderful minerals for health and beauty. Other than that, what a waste. It wouldn’t take much for me to enjoy the solitude of the Dead Sea. I wonder why God created a Dead Sea?
Israel’s Mediterranean coast is beautiful. The water is clear. The fresh sea air is clean. I love the beach! I could make regular visits here and never tire of the surf. But, Israel has no natural harbors. That can sure put a crimp on trade with countries toward the west. It would have been so easy for God to scratch out just one harbor there. But He didn’t. I wonder why?
What we call the Sea of Galilee is actually a fresh water lake. It also sits below sea level. Fishing. Boating. Peaceful. Restful. Breath-taking. This place is beautiful! If I was given the opportunity to go anywhere, I think I could choose the Sea of Galilee. It is that good! No wonder Jesus centered most of His ministry around this lake. The Sea of Galilee is both serene and in a matter of hours can be turbulent. I wonder why?
There is so much more about water that could be talked about. Walking through Hezekiah’s (water) tunnel carved in solid rock was thrilling. Hearing about fishing on the Sea of Galilee from a man who has fished there for nearly 50 years was an unusual learning experience. The sight and sound of the many water falls, especially En Gedi, tranquilized our weary souls. What is it about water that affects us so much?
When it came to water God did not leave His people “high and dry.†Even though the terrain and atmospheric conditions of Israel were vastly different from what the Hebrews were used to in Egypt, He provided for them. But His provision was not just “on the spot.â€
He carefully crafted wind currents to bring clouds filled with rain.
He designed mountain ridges tall enough to retain water in the form of snow for release in the summer months.
He drew valleys that, with the water would transport essential minerals to keep soil productive.
He created plains where water could saturate rather than run off.
He stored water in places no sane human would ever dream.
He dug a hole deeper than any other on Earth, and placed rich minerals below water unsatisfactory for human consumption or use.
He did all this and so much more, not when the Israelites needed it, but thousands of years before there ever was anyone known as “Hebrew.â€
He did this all to confirm their belief that He alone is God.
The next time you cry out in the midst of your crisis, “where is God?,†remember, He started working on your behalf long before you could conceive in your mind even the remotest possibility of ever having such a need, in order to perfect your faith!
Like the Hebrews, understanding the temporal can aid us to understand the eternal value. If Jesus had compared Himself to water, in essence He might be saying, “I alone am all,†meaning “who needs the Father or Holy Spirit?†But He didn’t.
However, Jesus did make a comparison that demonstrates His interdependence on the Father and Holy Spirit and our utter dependence on Him when He said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches.†Without water, the vine would dry up. Without the vine, we are merely kindling.
Who needs faith? We do. What a marvelous God!