The Land of Yahweh is special. If you’ve been following the blog for a while, you probably recall that I have had the opportunity to visit Israel.
I suppose it could’ve been my imagination, but I’m pretty sure I felt the Lord’s joy at showing off His land to us. ☺️
There is an important concept introduced in this chapter that will figure into a LOT of future narrative. It’s that the weather in Israel (and hence the success or failure of their agriculture and therefore their very existence) is inextricably linked to the people’s loyalty to Yahweh.
It’s Yahweh’s land. Well- the whole planet and the solar system and the galaxy and the universe is all His, but at this point He’s only asking for a piece the size of New Jersey.
So it’s Yahweh’s land because He made it. And these are Yahweh’s people because He made them too. Other gods are not in charge of Yahweh’s land or people. They’ve been assigned their own other (temporary) realms or whatever, but they can’t answer prayers for rain or good harvests or protection because it isn’t their land or their people to bless.
So… if Yahweh’s people cheat on Him and start praying to other gods for blessings, it’s literally going to affect the weather.
It would be like if you called Amazon customer service for help with something you bought at Walmart. You’re not gonna get any help.
Hmm… That gives me an idea…
☎️ [Phone message]: Thank you for calling Ba’al and Asherah Incorporated. For customer service please press 1. For shrine locations, press 2. To speak to a priest, press 3. For instructions on assembling your home Asherah Pole Kit, press 9.
📱[1] (beep)
📞Rep: Ba’al and Asherah Incorporated, my name is Jezabel, how can we help you today?
Jeb(adiah): Hello. Customer Service? My name is Jebadiah. There’s a plague going around and we could really use some rain.
Rep: Hello Mr. Jebadiah. I’d be happy to help you with that. What’s your location, sir?
Jeb: Oh, I’m in Yahweh’s land. Zip code 777316.
Rep: Oh, I’m so sorry. We don’t service that area. But you are welcome to shop in our online store. We have a great sale going on right now. We have a 2 for 1 on Rain Cards for only 1-99.
Jeb: 1-99?
Rep: Yes. One goat and 99 chickens.
Jeb: Oh…. What’s a Rain Card?
Rep: You get a lovely card signed by Ba’al in real blood that says “I made it rain.” When your pesky neighbor tries to tell you that Yahweh made it rain, you can just wave it under his nose as proof that he’s a conspiracy theorist.
Jeb: I thought you said Ba’al doesn’t service this area.
Rep: That’s right. He doesn’t.
Jeb: So if Yahweh makes it rain, the card gives me the right to give the credit to Ba’al?
Rep: Well, you called us, didn’t you? Who’s to say Ba’al didn’t make it rain?
Jeb: Uh… you just did.
Rep: Hold on while I transfer you to our first available priest.
TWO MONTHS LATER… 🏠
Jeb’s wife, Mahabethel (Ethel): Jeb, I thought you called on Ba’al and Asherah. Where’s that rain we ordered?
Jeb: The drought is everywhere. Rain is in high demand. Maybe it’s on back order.
Ethel: Well my garden is about dead. And I’m tired of haulin’ water from the pond. 🪣
Jeb: Grandpappy used to always get his rain from Yahweh. 🤔
Ethel: Is Yahweh still in business? Everybody I know gets their stuff from Ba’al & Asherah. Just one click and it’s on its way. Yahweh’s process took too long. And there were lots of rules.
Jeb: But isn’t this still Yahweh’s land?
Ethel: What’s that got to do with the price of eggs?
Jeb: Just thinkin’ it might make sense to order rain for Yahweh’s land from Yahweh.
Ethel: Jeb, you pray more for the brand name. Do you get name-brand parts for your plow? Generic rain is cheaper and just as good.
Jeb: Not if it never arrives. 😒
This connection between the people’s loyalty to Yahweh and its affect on the weather and their success and safety in general is key.
So… Got it?
Got it.
Ok. Good.
I like Jeb and Ethel. Can they come back again sometime?
We’ll see. Moving on…
“Every place on which the sole of your foot treads shall be yours. Your territory shall be from the wilderness to the Lebanon and from the River, the river Euphrates, to the western sea.”
“And when the Lord your God brings you into the land that you are entering to take possession of it, you shall set the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal. Are they not beyond the Jordan, west of the road, toward the going down of the sun, in the land of the Canaanites who live in the Arabah, opposite Gilgal, beside the oak of Moreh?”
Deuteronomy 11:24, 29-30 ESV
This is the first of a few places called Gilgal. In Hebrew it’s The Gilgal. Remember Gilgal Rephaim? The Wheel or Circle of the Giants?
This thing:
I’m going to put a link to a couple things about what the Gilgal might have been.
Recent archeology suggests it may have been a stone “circle” in the shape of a foot… Yahweh’s foot. 🦶🏼
Here’s the ARTICLE.
And here is a SHORT VIDEO.
If you feel like digging deeper on this, on YouTube just enter “Gilgal Aaron Lipkin” in the search and you’ll get some longer videos.
Enjoy!
To The Reader 