For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot, as a vegetable garden; but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven. (Deuteronomy 11:10-11)
In Egypt, the people had to irrigate the land by foot, meaning they had to haul water from the Nile or from other pools of water to the fields. Obviously, this would require time and energy but was necessary if they were to have plenty to eat. Moses, who as far as we know never entered the land of Canaan, says that it is a land where the rains flow from mountains into streams that, in turn, water the land while a person is asleep. In other words, God orchestrated a situation whereby they could benefit from His design and purpose. Yet it is also true that the land of Canaan is more dependent upon His mercy and blessing, not their ability.
Considering its sanctity, it is also true that the land of Canaan may suffer drought for lesser sins than in other nations. In other words, Canaan was intended for one people –- Israel. As a people they were called to be holy and, so then, the land would respond to their behavior — if they obeyed the land would flourish; if they disobeyed, the land would suffer. Here’s why: it is “a land for which the Lord your God cares; the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year” (Deuteronomy 11:12).
Without a doubt it is special, and many (including me) have different theories as to why. Perhaps, only in the Kingdom will we truly understand the reason but the main point today is this — to reflect upon how God regards and cares for His people. He foresaw their toil in Egypt and had already set aside a land that would provide for them with far less toil. Likewise, the same God that cared for them also cares for you and I whether it is a major issue or something small and seemingly insignificant. If He looks to His Creation so intently that not one sparrow can fall to the ground without His knowledge, then we can know that “He watches me.”
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
Recent Comments