- Baca: The Valley of Tears
Psalm 84:5-6 (NLT) 5 “What joy for those whose strength comes from the Lord, who have set their minds on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem. 6 When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs. The autumn rains will clothe it with blessings.”
The Valley of Baca is mentioned in Psalm 84 which was composed by David. He likely wrote this specific psalm when he was exiled from Jerusalem. This psalm describes the blessedness of relying on God for strength and joy during hardship. It also tells of the longing to be with God one day in His Sanctuary and the blessings that are there.
The Hebrew word “baca” is related to bakah, which means “to weep” also translated as “valley of Baca” or “valley of tears.” Elsewhere baka’ is translated “mulberry tree”
2 Samuel 5:23 (NKJV) “Therefore David inquired of the Lord, and He said, “You shall not go up; circle around behind them, and come upon them in front of the mulberry trees.”
A mulberry tree is known as a weeping tree, but also one that brings forth mulberries, a delicious fruit.
David wrote this as an encouragement to those who are going through a valley, or low point, in their lives.
Psalm 84:11 (NLT) “For the Lord God is our sun and our shield. He gives us grace and glory. The Lord will withhold no good thing from those who do what is right.”
We can receive comfort and be a blessing even during sad experiences of life. In our darkest hours, God turns the “valley of tears” into a well of blessing.
Psalm 30:11-12 (NLT) “You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, 12 that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever”
Psalm 126:1-2 (NKJV) “When the Lord brought back the captivity of Zion, We were like those who dream. 2 Then our mouth was filled with laughter, And our tongue with singing. Then they said among the nations, “The Lord has done great things for them.”
Isaiah 35:1 (NKJV) “The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; 2 It shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, Even with joy and singing. 3 Strengthen the weak hands, And make firm the feeble knees. 4 Say to those who are fearful-hearted,“Be strong, do not fear! Behold, your God will come with vengeance, With the recompense of God; He will come and save you.”6 Then the lame shall leap like a deer, And the tongue of the dumb sing. For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert.”
- The Valley of Ditches
2 Kings 3:16 (NKJV) “And he said, “Thus says the LORD: ‘Make this valley full of ditches.”
When Israel and Judah fought against the Moabites, they travelled through the desert and couldn’t find any water for seven days. Facing dehydration and certain death, Jehoshaphat called on the prophet Elisha who told them to dig ditches throughout the valley. God supernaturally filled the ditches with water, gave them victory over the Moabites and turned their shortage into a surplus overnight. This was an unusual word from God. The armies of Israel, Judah, and Edom were stuck in the hot desert and dying of thirst. The three kings went to the prophet Elisha and asked for a word from God. This was the start of God’s answer: “Go dig many ditches in the desert.”
2 Kings 3:17-18 (NKJV) – 17 “For thus says the LORD: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’ 18 “And this is a simple matter in the sight of the LORD; He will also deliver the Moabites into your hand.”
Here they were in a wilderness, a dry, desert valley place, a low place. In this place, this low dry desert place, the Word of The LORD says, dig ditches!
The promise to come? Overflowing provision. You’re dying of thirst and God will bring the water. You’re in no place to win the war, but God will bring you victory. He is the God of salvation and provision. He is going to deliver you.
2 Kings 3:16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord, ‘I will make this dry streambed full of pools.”
God said, “You will see nothing. Just dig. And water will come.” Digging the ditches was an obedient response which was the prerequisite to receive the promised water. Digging the ditches was an obedient response to receive the promise of deliverance. Digging the ditches was an obedient response to receive the promised victory. Digging the ditches was an obedient response to receive the promised blessings.
The digging of ditches in our life is essential to prepare ourselves to receive the showers of blessing that God would bring to us.
How do we dig ditches in our life? We must have a need to hear God’s Word in our life. We need to feed regularly on God’s Word. We need to go to God regularly in prayer. We must listen to what He has to say to us. We need to be obedient to His Word.