When God created the earth, He included “sea creatures, winged birds, cattle and creeping things (don’t you just love the scientific classification system of the Bible?) and beasts of the earth” (Genesis 1:24). Immediately man was given dominion over the animals, to protect them, and use them productively. What a marvelous gift from God!

Man has not always done well at this responsibility. Over the centuries our response has been too little too late, too severe, or fool hearty. Even in the Holy Land, many animals are now extinct. Some preservationsits have built reserves to reintroduce the endangered species back into their native habitat.

It was at one such reserve, Hai Bar Yotvata, where we were able to see a grand sweeping view of some animals you won’t find anywhere else: Ibex, Onager, Oryx, Addax, Caracal, and Fennec. And, there were some more familiar, like: Gazelle, Ostrich, Wolf, Fox, Leopard, and Hyena. The desert region contains the usual array of reptiles: Viper, Lizard, Jird, Gerbil, and Dormouse. Also included are the birds of prey: Vulture, Eagle, and Owl. I am not expert enough to know the effect on the ecological system when one or more animals become extinct. God has a distinct purpose for everything He created and it seems we would do well to follow His design for us regarding animals.

One morning we stopped at a Bedouin market. Thursday is their normal market day. Bedouins are an interesting people. Mostly they live in tents, wandering from place to place to keep their flocks watered and fed. Although this heritage is changing quickly because of the comforts of something more permanent. Bedouins cook on an open fire inside their tent. If the weather is cold, they will snuggle close to the warm flame. Let’s get the whole picture. Bedouins are not vagabonds or gypsies. Some own vehicles. Others purchase tank trailers full of water. To stay connected, a few have cellular phones. It is a life of contrasts and probably still very difficult. Bedouins are as close as we will come to understanding Abraham’s lifestyle.

At the market some went to see the salable wares; others, including me, ventured across a small stream to take a look at the livestock. There were mostly sheep and goats. And, as you would expect, the sheep were on the right, while the goats were on the left (no “kid”ding!). Not knowing exactly what to look for, I listened to the cries of the lambs. On the other side of the stream we had crossed, I heard the cries of the merchants because the market was abruptly closed. We don’t really know why, but that was the closest we came to any trouble during our entire trip.

I mused at the account we were told of some clever herdsmen. While God created pigs, He didn’t want His people porking out. Yet, they were to be part of the eco-system. The religious leaders (this century, I believe) made this prohibition: “You are not to raise pigs on the land.” The herdsmen concluded if they built a platform “above the land,” it would be permissible to raise pigs. So they did or do. What an expensive business arrangement! What an interesting illustration of our sinful human nature. God has instructed us in the way we should live. Yet, we always seem to find a loophole whether it be manmade or God’s Law. While we may get away with man’s law, we have nowhere to hide from God.

Tiberias is a modern city, attracting many tourists. As we walked the streets, I noticed how much closer to the earth Israeli’s live than do we. Donkeys, sheep, and camels roam the streets or are crowded into yards or gardens. In the markets, processed foods are few and far between. If you want bread, you buy grain. If you buy bread, it was made fresh that day. Being a city on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, fish are abundant. In case you are wondering, the fish smell, but they don’t roam. On Fish Street, they are conveniently boxed, iced and ready for purchase. If the store owner cleans the fish for you, there is an extra fee.

We were encouraged to locate a certain fish, called Peter’s fish. I looked and looked. After awhile, I began to see in those fish faces of someone I knew—there are too many to name! As you know, every fisherman has a tale (coincidentally, fish have a tail, as well). So do I, a tale, that is, not a tail! Even fish and fishing are part of God’s great plan for man, but I never did find Peter’s fish.

Another day, our interest in the “rocks” of Gerash was waning. Here was a well preserved example of a Roman city of the Decapolis. We listened intently long enough (and had every word our guide thought important spelled, repeatedly; first in English, then in Arabic!). Behind the triple synagogues was an open field soon occupied by sheep, goats, and shepherd boys. They called, the sheep came. They protected and guided their flock with a small rock. They coddled the sheep and gawked at the strangers, yet willingly accepted candy or shekels in exchange for a photo. How could shepherds in the Bible be so despised by the farmers and the public at large? When one man’s profit is consumed by another man’s livelihood, it wasn’t too difficult to understand why. The public may despise the shepherd, but not his sheep.

The Bible has much to say about animals.

At creation, birds, bugs, and beasts were there. When man sinned, snakes were judged, as well the whole animal kingdom. God demonstrated first that skins could be used for clothing.

The sacrifices of sheep became a “living picture” of the Messiah’s coming once-for-all atonement.

It would have been foolish for Noah to build such a huge Ark for just eight people.

Leviticus outlines restrictions in the Hebrews’ diet (chew the cud, split the hoof), clothing (don’t mix wool and linen), and industry (unequal yokes forbidden).

The world marveled at Solomon’s wisdom, partly because of his thorough understanding of ants, rock-badgers, locusts and lizards.

In His teaching, Jesus featured animals, like lost sheep and the swine that ate better than a prodigal.

The Bible assumes we know and understand the ways of animals. But, do we?

In what is probably David’s most famous psalm, he said, “The Lord is my Shepherd.” That sentence speaks volumes. We may not understand completely because of our limited exposure to sheep, shepherding, and the Great Shepherd, Himself.

To call God my “Shepherd” is to say He has assumed a responsibility to protect, provide, and lead His sheep. He is in complete control and knows the best for my every situation and circumstance.

To call God “my” Shepherd is to admit He is exclusively “mine.” He is not “a” shepherd, as if He was one among many. He is not “the” shepherd, as if He was distant and uncaring. Nor is He “our” shepherd, as if all humanity were universally His “own and the sheep of his pasture.

To call my Shepherd by His personal name, “The Lord” (Hebrew, ‘Yahweh’), is to confess I have a relationship with the One who would one day identify Himself by saying, “I am the good Shepherd, I lay down My life for the sheep.”

To say “The Lord is my shepherd” not only requires trust, but is the very essence of faith.

Several have asked, “Is going to Israel beneficial?” That’s a fair question. Outside of a one word answer, let me illustrate one possible benefit of a “pilgrimage.”

Undoubtedly, you have read John 9:5. Jesus said, “I am the light of the world.” I have read that verse too. Jesus makes this statement just before He granted sight to a man born blind. This account is filled with drama and dialogue that beats any movie! This is the second time Jesus makes this statement. In John 8, also a highly dramatic event, the religious leaders test Jesus, under the pretense of judging and condemning a woman caught in adultery.

Before we conclude what meaning Jesus’ statement has for us, we first must understand what His words meant to those who heard Him that day. That is a basic principle which governs all Bible study.

Let’s think for a minute. Was Jesus referring to celestial luminaries? If Jesus meant the sun or a star, He could have used a more concrete and emphatic term for the “bright sunshine” or an even stronger word to speak of the “break of day.” But He didn’t. The word used is a general term for light, for instance, the light of a fire.

So, apparently, Jesus was referring to some form of “man-made light.” How did the people of Jesus’ day use light?” There could be fires by which to heat or cook. A torch would illuminate a path or lead a charge. A house could be lit with clay lamps. But, Jesus didn’t say He is like a fire or torch or lamp. He simply said, “I am the light of the world.” If the form was insignificant, what was important? Common to all three types of light would be the fuel necessary to sustain the light: wood or oil.

What kind of fuel was used? Now, honestly, when you read “I am the light of the world,” did you ever ask what kind of fuel was used? Me neither. But, without a moments’ thought, the people of Jesus’ day knew. Wood was scarce from deforestation by enemies. Coals (from wood embers) were generally used to start, but not maintain a “light.” Let’s see, that leaves—uh—oil!?

I may be imposing, think with me another minute. Unlike most of the Middle East, Israel has no natural oil (or black coal) under its ground. When all your neighbors are at various stages of war with you, over several centuries, it is difficult to negotiate a trade for crude or processed oil. They must have had a different source of oil.

Let’s move from the refineries to the farm. What a transition, even for the Israelites. They were shepherds, not farmers. What did they know about agriculture? Whatever the Israelites did or didn’t know, they soon learned this Promised Land was rich. The Bible speaks of “seven varieties:” wheat and barley, grapes and figs, pomegranates, olives, and (date) honey. Wouldn’t it be fun just to study what the Bible says about each of these crops, learning their value and symbolism to Christ? Of these “seven varieties,” only one could produce oil: the olive.

What do we know about olives that will aid our understanding of Jesus as the “light of the world”?

Olives thrive in Israel. There is a whole range of mountains called the “Mount of Olives.” Olive trees are everywhere. Olive trees can grow in all those rocks, too! The older the tree, the better the fruit. Cut off the branches, leave a stump and next year new shoots will grow, eventually producing more fruit!

“The prime importance of the olive tree is reflected by the many ways it was used. It was a symbol of fertility (Psalm 128:3), beauty and cosmetics (Jeremiah 11:16; Esther 2:12), and prosperity (Genesis 8:11). It was used for food (Numbers 11:8), as fuel for lamps (Matthew 25:1-13), as a medicine (Luke 10:34), as an anointing oil (1 Samuel 10:1-2; 2 Kings 9:3; Isaiah 6:1), in sacrifice (Genesis 28:18; Leviticus 2:4), and for making furniture (1 Kings 6:23, 31-33)” (Richard Cleave, The Holy Land Satellite Atlas, page 41).

Another interesting study would be to trace the symbolism of olives in the Bible! But, we are concerned about Jesus as the “light of the world,” and oil from the olive tree. To remove oil from the olives they need to be pressed. Ripe olives are placed into a circular basin where a millstone crushes them, releasing the first oil. Then, the pulp is placed in reed baskets and set under a heavy rock, extracting more oil, generally used for lamps.

God carefully designed olives and the process of pressing to help us understand Jesus’ death.

“Jesus spent the last few hours before His arrest in an olive grove (John 18:1) at a place called ‘Gethsemane’ (Matthew 26:36). It is likely that this was a cave somewhere on the Mount of Olives (Luke 22:39) where the olives of the nearby groves were pressed. As Jesus reflected on the work He was about to do, He, too, was pressed. The great weight of the sin of the world and the coming rejection by His Father led Him to sweat drops of blood (Luke 22:44). The image of the great weight of a gethsemane (which means “olive press”) on the precious olives can help us to imagine the pressure Jesus felt as He contemplated the burden He was to bear” (Ray VanderLaan, “The Light of the World,” Volume 4, page 187).

When Jesus spoke, His hearers knew the energy they expended just to burn a flame.

Plant the trees.
Tend and wait for seven years until the fruit is useful.
Pray for the right seasonal rains.
Gather the olives.
Wait your turn for the “community” olive press.
Press the olives up to three times.
Store in large clay jars, usually in a cave.
Pray for cool weather to minimize spoilage.

In His declaration, Jesus was saying, “Without the oil to light a lamp, there will be no salvation. Without the ‘pressing’ (suffering and death), the Father’s wrath toward sin will not be appeased. Because I do His will, the world will have a light to show the way of salvation.”

Could I have learned this without going to Israel? Probably. But I didn’t. At the least, I don’t think I would have related the necessity of oil for light. Maybe I could have found a working olive grove and observed modern methods of extracting oil or pickling the fruit.

But I don’t think I would understand as clearly the ancient olive to oil process. Nor would I comprehend the “he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him” intensity of Jesus’ suffering on my behalf (II Corinthians 5:21).

And now, I will never eat olives again (off my fingers, of course) without remembering Jesus is the “light of the world” and just what He meant and why that is important.

How about you?