I’m not sure what you have on your kitchen countertops but there is one item on mine that has been there for a long time- my honey pot.  I bought it and its matching syrup pitcher at a craft fair early in our marriage.  I’d never really given much thought about honey for many years and assumed it was basically all the same.  But as I’ve gotten more in touch with a healthier lifestyle and the medicinal benefits of honey, I’ve learned that there are as many different kinds of honey as there are flowers from which the bees can make it! 
            The land of Israel has a "nickname" which is derived from Exodus 3:8.  It is called "The Land of Milk and Honey".  We often associate the phrase milk and honey with the things that are familiar to us.  We hear the word milk and think of cows.  We hear the word honey and think of the sweet bounty of bees.  But if you were to travel about Israel in the days when God spoke these words to the people of Israel (Dt. 11:8-9; 26: 9, 15), you would have a hard time finding cow farms and bee keepers.  Goats were (and in many cases still are) the primary source of milk in Israel and the word most of our translations call honey was a sweet jam-like liquid made from dates.  These two words poetically describe the two general environments in Israel.  The Land of Milk describes the way of life in the southern and eastern regions, and the Land of Honey describes the way of life in the north and west. 
            There are three main characteristics of the Land of Milk: shepherds with herds, wide open spaces with plenty of room for them to roam, and desert areas such as the Negev (Gen. 13:1), the Wilderness of Paran (Num. 12:16), and the Wilderness of Zin (Num. 27:12-14).  There are three main characteristics of the Land of Honey as well:  farmers, less or no space to roam, and mountains with lots of water.  Life in the Land of Milk is unpredictable because of its low rainfall and sparse population.  It is a silent and lonely place.  Life there is demanding but with the right know-how one can survive.  It drives home the need for community.  Life in the Land of Honey though is quite different.  The seasons and life-cycles are predictable.  Because there are many villages and cities in this area, it is noisy and congested.  Life here is manageable, busy and the community is at the center of it all.
            When you are reading Bible stories, it is always a good idea to keep in mind whether the story takes place in the Land of Milk or the Land of Honey.  Putting these stories within their regional context helps to drive home their meaning.  When you read about the Red Sea, wadis and cisterns (Gen. 37:18-24), Abraham, Isaac, Jacob or Moses and Mount Sinai (Ex. 19:1-2), think about the Land of Milk.  Relationships are critical here since the environment can be so severe, so relationships are usually a central factor in these stories.  When you read about The Sea of Galilee (Mt. 4:18), mountains, terrace gardens (Lk. 8:5), the prophets and Jesus, or Mount Zion (1 Ki. 8:1), think of the Land of Honey.  The busy way of life here can be stressful and distracting.  Many of the “honey” stories have to do with value, priorities and maintaining a steadfast faith.  Even though it is a modern country in every sense of the word, the land of the Israel brings the ancient world of the Bible to life.  It is still possible to see all the attributes of the Land of Milk and Honey in action today.  Bedouin still roam with their herds across the Negev in the Land of Milk.  The Land of Honey is still bustling in the cities of Tiberias, Tel Aviv, and Jerusalem.
            “But Ann”, you may ask, “Is the land and its regions anything more than just a nice geography lesson?”  Yes!  The land is also a great metaphor for life.  We have days when our life feels as sparse and severe as the Land of Milk.  We have days when our life is as busy and productive as the Land of Honey.  Both attributes of the land were promised to the people of Israel and both attributes are to be found in life.  God is active in both of them and provides in every situation.  Though it is a harsh environment, the Land of Milk is successfully navigated by shepherds.  This aspect reminds us that the Lord is the Good Shepherd who guides us through our Land of Milk times (Ps. 23; Jn. 7:12; 10:14).  Though busy, the Land of Honey is well-watered and gardens are abundant there.  It teaches us that the Lord is our Gardener who manages the branches of His vine- that’s us! (Jn. 15:1-5) and determines if the fruit we are bearing is good (Lk. 6:43-45).  It is good for us to remember that God promised His people a land that included both of these environments so both will be a part of life and we will experience God working in both of them.  Which one do you find yourself in today?   Where do you see God at work?
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

     When my grandmother passed away there were many things from her home that I “inherited” mostly due to the fact that we were renting a home at the time and could use some of the less valuable items- like curtains.  Gramma had many windows draped with “sheers”- a soft flowing curtain made of fabric that let the light pass through into the home but obstructed a full view from outside.  I used some of them but many remained in a box until a friend of mine needed some sprucing up in her kitchen and Gramma’s curtains were just the style she wanted to hang there.  Unlike Gramma’sheers, the veil which separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies obscured the view of those ministering in the Holy Place.  They knew behind that curtain, the light of God’s glory rested on the Ark of the Covenant, but they could not see it.
            The Veil (Ex. 26:31-35; 36: 35-38) acted as a barrier between God and man.  In Hebrew the word is paroketh and it means “to separate”.  Simply put, the veil shut God in and kept man out.  There was only one day when the two could come together (Yom Kippur), and then, only one man (the High Priest), was allowed to enter.  Skillfully woven, the veil hung from gold hooks supported by four pillars of acacia wood overlaid with gold, and resting in silver bases.  Figures of cherubim (angelic beings of the highest order) were woven into the veil.   They symbolized God’s protective presence over the Holy of Holies.  According to the Talmud (a written collection of Jewish tradition, history, and interpretations of the Torah) the veil was 60' long and 30' wide, 4-6" thick (that’s THICK!!!).  It was made of 72 square yards of wool sewn together.  According to Jewish tradition, it took 300 men to hang it.
            The veil signifies several great spiritual truths.  First and foremost it reminds us that sin once separated us from God, but Christ, as our High Priest, has brought us back into fellowship with God (Heb. 9:1-14).  Secondly, it represents the fact that Jesus’ glory was also veiled when He took on flesh (Jn. 1:14; Phil. 2:5-8) and was only briefly visible during His earthly ministry (Mt. 17:1-8).  Third, it reminds us that we did not have any access to God before the finished work of Christ on the cross.  Mt. 27:45-53 records that the veil was torn from the top to the bottom at the time of Jesus’ death.  Considering that the veil was 6" thick, 60' by 30' in size, and that it took a large amount of men to hang it, it was obvious no one could tear it in this manner.
            Lastly, there is still a veil between ourselves and God, but it is not the veil of sin that separates us.  It is the limitations of our earthly bodies that will be removed when we are reunited with our Creator and we shall be fully like Him (1 Cor. 13:9-12).  At that time we will enter the presence of God without fear, unlike the High Priest who entered the Holy of Holies once a year to offer atonement for the nation of Israel (Lev. 16:1-34).  History tells us that this became such a moment of fear among the priesthood that by Jesus’ day a long cord was tied around the priest’s ankle, just in case he entered inappropriately and was struck dead.  The cord would allow the priest’s body to be pulled out so that no one else would die!  But now because we are in Christ, we can draw near to God in confidence (Heb. 4: 14-16, 7:23-25).
            I often imagine what it might have been like to pass through that massive curtain and set foot inside the Holy of Holies; to see the Ark of the Covenant with the cherubim gazing down upon its cover with their wings spread out overhead.  It must have been both awesome and overwhelming to be in the presence of God’s glory.  It has been said that the angels stared down upon the Mercy Seat (the name for the top of the Ark) in wonder for they do not have the experience of salvation as we do.  And then I realize that for me the greater wonder is that I can pass through the curtain into God’s presence any time I desire and I don’t have to be a priest to do it.  The curtain has been parted for me through the atoning work of Christ.  The blood of sacrifice that was sprinkled on the Ark by priests in the past has been surpassed by the blood of Christ.  The sins represented by that fabricated division have been paid for by Him- ALL of them.  Even more so is the fact that the Lord no longer dwells in a building such as the Tabernacle or the Temple, but instead has taken up residence in me by the indwelling of His Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 6:19; Eph. 1:13; 2 Tim. 1:14)!  Curtains may have both a decorative and functional purpose in my home, but now they are a reminder of a great spiritual truth: the veil is torn, the curtain is parted and I am welcome to enter the presence of God (Heb. 10:19-23).
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            It is one of the more unusual items on my bookshelf.  It’s twisted but smooth on the outside and bears a bright gold sticker that says, “Made in Israel” (although that’s not where I bought it).  Its streaked pattern covers the polished surface in brown, tan and creamy white.  I have used it many times when teaching and one of my more talented students was actually able to produce sound with it even though I never could.  You are probably thinking, “Well, what is it?”  It is a shofar.  And now you are probably saying, “And what is a shofar?!”  A shofar is a ram’s horn which has been boiled until the cartilage can be removed.  A hole is then drilled in the end to form a mouthpiece by cutting off the tip.  Shofars vary in length and size (the largest almost 3 feet in length).  In Biblical times the smaller ones were used in battle and the larger, longer ones were used at the Tabernacle and Temple when the people of Israel were gathered to worship the Lord.  Though an unusual item to be found in a home, my shofar has become a great reminder of God’s faithfulness to me.
            Most often translated as the word “trumpet” in our English translations the shofar plays an important role in several well-known Bible stories.  Perhaps the most well-known of these is Joshua’s epic march around the walls of Jericho (Jos. 6:1-27) but the shofar also factored into a decisive victory by Gideon as well (Jud. 7:15-25).  And although the word trumpet brings to mind a shiny metal instrument with valves and tubing on its top and sides, the horn of a ram is generally what is being spoken of when mentioned throughout the Psalms (47:5; 81:3; 98:6; 150:3) and in several New Testament passages too (1 Cor. 15: 25, 50-52; 1 Thes. 4:13-18; Rev. 8:1-6).  Most importantly the shofar takes center stage in one of Israel’s festival days but you would never know that since it was renamed during the Exile.  That festival is listed in Lev. 23:23-25 and Num. 29:1-6 as “a day for blowing trumpets” (Yom Teruah) but is now known as Rosh HaShannah.  The latter name means “the head or beginning of the year” but it’s clear from the layout of Lev. 23 that Passover holds that chronological distinction.  The name switch was an easy solution for the exiles to continue following the festival calendar without drawing attention to themselves since their Babylonian and Persian neighbors were holding their New Year celebrations at the same time.  After the Exile the new name for this holy day stuck and it has remained in place ever since.
            The celebration of trumpets in Biblical times was commanded to be “a holy convocation”, a day of rest from work, and a time for offering sacrifices.  Modern day observances are somewhat similar- no work, no school and a gathering of local congregations to hear the sounding of the shofar and to hear the stories of Abraham and Isaac (a ram whose horns were caught in a thicket spared the sacrifice of Isaac on an altar- Gen. 22:1-19), Joshua and Gideon.  The theme of each story reflects the way God has provided for His people and is a reminder that He will continue to provide in the year to come.  In Orthodox synagogues the shofar is sounded 100 times, while Reformed congregations sound 30 blasts.  Apples dipped in honey are also a tasty addition to the celebration symbolizing the wish for a “good and sweet New Year”.  The shofar blasts also announce a 10 day period of repentance which culminates on the next festival day, Yom Kippur.
            Bruce Scott wrote in regards to some of the modern observances, “There is no reason given in Scripture for blowing the trumpets other than as a “memorial” or reminder (Lev. 23:24).  But who needs to be reminded and of what?  Jewish tradition views blowing the shofar as more of a reminder to Israel than to God”.   In that way, the blowing of the shofar is like the ringing of an alarm clock.  Awake!  Reflect!  Be ready!  Of course we ALWAYS remember how faithful God is, don’t we?  No, we do not!  Devout Jews are not the only ones who need to be reminded of what God has done for them.  It is beneficial for us to do the same!  Just think about this: He is the God who destroyed a fortified city with seven shofars.  He is the God who routed an army of 10,000 soldiers with an army of 300 men using only torches and shofars.  He is the God who provided a ram caught in a thicket just when Abraham was about to make the ultimate sacrifice.  Is there anything that is impossible for Him (Lk. 1:37)?  That ram is a reminder that He also reconciled His wayward creation with another sacrifice of far greater value (Jn. 3:16-17).  Your own personal stories include times when God has faithfully been by your side.  Do you have “shofars” on your shelves that remind you of that?  I hope you do!
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre

            My house is full of little things.  Some are valuable, some not so valuable, but the valuable things have been itemized and placed on our insurance policy.  The paper on which the policy is written is not valuable but it designates the things which are.  Some of those things have even greater value than their monetary worth because they have been handed down through our family.  Hopefully we will never need the money from our insurance to replace them because, truth be told, they are irreplaceable as far as our family is concerned.  Some people place a great deal of value on the “stuff” that they own.  I came across a sad confession some years ago as I read through the postings of my friends on Facebook.  A young father wrote of his feelings of failure in this life.  I sensed that they were due to that measuring stick we call "The American Dream".   A man is supposed to find himself a good job that pays well and allows him to acquire all the material pleasures of the good life- a home, a car, and of course, a big screen TV.  It is a common way of assigning worth these days.  People are valuable if they own things of value. 
            What things are considered valuable today?  The most valuable athlete in the world is Floyd Mayweather who recently took home $275 million in a boxing match against Conor McGregor.  The most valuable home, dubbed “The One”, is a mansion in the posh Bel Air hills overlooking L. A. and is selling for $500 million upon its completion.  It boasts 20 bedrooms, 5 elevators, 7 pools, a private night club with its own VIP lounge whose walls and ceiling are made of jellyfish aquariums, and a full-scale in-house beauty salon.   The most valuable gem, a red diamond (there are less than 30 in the entire world), sold in 2011 for $8 million.  The most valuable car is a 1963 Ferrari GTO, one of only 36 made, which sold for $70 million dollars to a private collector this past June.  I often wonder how the astronomical monetary value of the items on this list were established.  How can a boxing match be worth $275 million or a house $500 million?  I don’t see how an event, a house, a gem or a car could be worth THAT much!
            The psalmist warns us in Psalm 49 (vv. 16-20) to remember that wealth accumulated on this earth cannot be taken with us when we die.  Our sense of value and accomplishment must be taken from a different set of criteria than that of the world.  Oddly enough, the story of Cinderella illustrates what the Bible teaches.  Cinderella's father had married a proud and haughty woman, who relegated Cinderella to servitude after he died.  The "wicked" stepmother repeatedly told Cinderella that she was "common" and of little value but when the prince enters the story all that changes.  The extent of the prince's love for Cinderella compels him to search the kingdom high and low until he finds her.  His persistent love demonstrates her value and he goes to great lengths to be reunited with her.  Jesus told a parable about the same kind of love in Luke 15 (vv.3-7).  A shepherd with a large flock has lost one of his sheep.  Rather than leave it in the wilderness to succumb to the elements, the shepherd searches out the lost sheep and brings the little wanderer back to the fold.   This is a picture of God's love.  He has gone to great lengths in expressing His love for us and demonstrating our value to Him (see Phil. 2:5-8). 
            The greatest pitfall to emphasizing the monetary value of things (or people) is that it truly distracts us from what really matters in life.  Jesus challenged His followers to consider two examples from the world around us- the flowers of the field and the birds in the air (Mt. 6:25-29).  While each needs the basic necessities of food and shelter, neither stresses over those needs the way we do.  Jesus reminds us that God sees to the needs of His creation, and therefore He sees to ours as well.  Instead of striving to achieve value in society’s eyes, it is more important to strive for those things God values (Mt. 6:30-33).  In light of His love for us and the extent to which He expressed it, our perspective on earthly value should be drastically changed.  The author of Ecclesiastes understood that labor and the things we gain from it are only valuable if we keep our focus on the Lord (Ecc. 3:9-13) and Jesus also stressed that if we lose sight of our spiritual goals because of our need for profit and value, we lose something far greater (Mk. 8:36).
            In times of economic uncertainty it becomes easy to fall prey to calculating our value in terms of our earthly possessions and accomplishments as my friend on Facebook did.  Maybe you have been having similar feelings.  When those doubts come up, remember, God so loved you, that He sent His Son to save you (Jn. 3:16-17).   The world and its value system may lead you to believe that you are common.  That is not true!  The Prince has traveled throughout the kingdom to find you.  The Shepherd has searched the wilderness to bring you home.  There is no greater value than that.
Ann H. LeFevre, M. Div.
https://www.annhlefevre.com; Olivetreeann@mail.com; https://www.linkedin.com/in/annhlefevre; https://www.facebook.com/ann.h.lefevre