Valleys intro sampler - Flipbook - Page 30
Sea, and to Mount Sinai in the wilderness. Again God proves that he longs to
forgive—and restore a loving relationship with—his people. At Mount Sinai, he
does this through a covenant that reassures the Israelites of their inheritance: the
Promised Land. This would be a place of fruitfulness and abundance, overflowing
with plenty, a home for God’s people to settle and grow.
Right off the bat, you and I should sense that the Promised Land is a sacred
echo of the Garden of Eden, a place of promise and hope. The Promised Land,
like Eden before it, points us to our bright future with God and helps us tangibly
understand his uncompromising, unending love.
In the Valley of Eshkol, we see that Caleb takes God at his word, trusting in
the promise even in the face of doubt—while those around him give way to fear.
Like me, you may find a deep connection with the people who are struggling
with fear, but my hope for us all is that we will emulate Caleb’s faith. As we study
this low point in the Israelites’ journey, I want us to see that our God is powerful
enough to overcome the giants in our lives.
If you are in the valley of doubt, I have good news for you: God can be trusted.
1. PERSONAL CONTEXT: What is going on in your life right now that might impact
how you understand this Bible story?
L ES S O N O N E
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