NISAN
21
Shadow
of Death
“When I walk through the valley of the
shadow of death …” (Ps 23:4)
Our modern Dictionaries define ‘shadow’ as
“a dark figure or image cast on the ground or some surface by a body
intercepting light; shade or comparative darkness, as in an area”[1]. Using
this definition, we can understand that a shadow is not the real image, it is merely an imperfect copy. When we apply this to our opening verse, the
“shadow of death” would probably mean a circumstance, situation, or place where
death and destruction looms as a possibility.
In the history of Jerusalem, there was
such a literal place, called the “Valley of Hinnom”. Located in the area south by southwest from
the original city, it was the place where the decadent Kings of Yisra’el would
offer human sacrifices to the god Molech
(see 2Kin 17:17), and, in later times, became the garbage dumb to the
city. Known in the Greek as Gehenna, our Master referred to the
perpetual fires that burned there (see Mark 9:43, 47). Apparently, this steep sided valley was also
the place where the bodies of the dead were thrown, and again, during the time
of Messiah Yeshua, the bottom end of this valley was the site of the burial
tombs of the wealthy. Between the fires
that burned continually, and the wild dogs that inhabited this area, it was not a choice nature walk.[2]
We are called to walk through such places, not turning to the left or right, but with our
eyes focused on the One who leads us,
totally trusting in His plan and purpose.
We cannot afford to glance at the dangers that might surround us, for
just as surely Peter begin to sink in the water when he glanced at the wind and
the waves (see Mat 14:25-32), we too will falter and fail when we do so. Help us, Master, as we cling to You.
“But when he saw that the wind was strong,
he was afraid. And beginning to sink, he cried out, saying, “Master, save me!” And immediately יהושע stretched out His hand and
took hold of him, and said to him, “O you of little
belief, why did you doubt?” (Mat 14:30-31)
“Yahweh
is my rock and my
stronghold and my deliverer; My Ěl is my rock, I take
refuge in Him; My shield and the horn of my deliverance, my high tower.” (Ps 18:2)
©2021
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