Discussion Questions
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Why do you think geography has been given so little attention by Bible readers?
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I have always had an experience with Biblical geography as it is a part of the back pages of the Bible I have always been interested in so I don’t know.
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Because there has not been an emphasis on the need to learn, and in many cases that importance has not been manifested in the teachings that Christians receive.
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The Bible is focused on Israel and the surrounding nations. They are mentioned because they are relevant to that focus. Those not mentioned, for example, China or Australia weren’t relevant at the time.
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From my own experience, I did not pay attention to geography because I did not understand its significance.
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To most readers geography is just a side item or inconsequential reference or an unnecessary detail (a colorful enhancement at best). Most fail to see how it applies and impacts what we are reading in the given narrative. Geography should be considered a character in the story and not just some glanced over information. In my studies, I have found that geography plays a key role in truly understanding many things, especially in the Old Testament.
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Give an example from the Bible, other than the ones we have used in this lesson, that demonstrates the biblical authors use geography when communicating the thoughts of God to us.
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Adam and Eve going east of Eden
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The way God makes sure that in Genesis He names the four rivers that came out of Eden when He was showing its location. He also used extensive geographical language when describing the New Jerusalem in Revelation 22
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Ps 133:3 It is like the dew of Hermon falling on the mountains of Zion. For there the LORD has bestowed the blessing of life forevermore.
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One that comes to mind is from the book of Revelation. John described he was on the island that is called Patmos and that he heard behind him a loud voice as of trumpet (Revelation 1:9-10).
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In the book of Revelation, the final battle on this earth will take place in the valley of Jezreel at Megiddo. This is hill country in northern Israel. It will be the place where Christ has his final victory over the forces of evil here on earth.
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Give two examples of physical geography, two examples of human geography, and two examples of natural history associated with the place you live.
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Physical Geography – Plains and Piedmont
Human Geography – Farmland and Lake Martin and Interstate 85
Natural History – Southern Magnolia/Longleaf Pine and Yellowhammer/White Tail Deer
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While living in the northern part of the country it gets chilly cold during Christmas time, the winds roar loud and fast coming from open plains. The smell of sea life is always there. With stretched out hands I cross wide roads and high bridges. Down pour comes in all sorts during any time of the season, for me I gather resources each time to prepare for every event. The experience is therapy, healing for the body mind, and soul. In one sense I am taking it all in enjoying every aspect of it; but in another sense, waiting for the break to come, which ends all of it only to start another experience having different characteristics but similar meaning.
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Yellowstone National Park, with all of its wonders and geographical features. The Great Divide. This geographical feature separates eastern Montana from Western Montana and splits the state into two VERY different regions. Human geography: a strong Native American presence and influence, and the many cultures that have come into our region over the centuries. Natural History: Glacier National Park. The glaciers taking us back to a time after the Flood. And, additionally, the landscape speaks of the time when much of this area was under water, not just from the Flood, but from the time after, when a vast inland sea remained. You can still see the effects all around us.
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How is animal life there? This seems like a place I would love to visit.
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There is a surprising abundance here on the Northern Plains. We are “where the deer and the antelope play”, as they say ;). There are wild turkeys, doves, meadowlarks (my ABSOLUTE favorite bird here!), pheasant, many kinds of grouse. Not far away are wild bison and wild horses. I have seen black bears and mountain lions, and bobcats. There is such an amazing variety of creatures. My wife and I refer to our area as “God’s back yard.” If you ever have the chance, I highly recommend seeing it. Having seen pictures of the Scottish highlands, I can say that there are places here that are not far different.
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I live in Lynchburg, Virginia. Physical: Blue Ridge Mountains, James River and many other mountain streams, etc. Human: various dams along the rivers (produce electricity) and bridges over the rivers (travel/commerce); deer, both a challenge to agriculture and source of food for many; bald eagles, making a comeback in this region; apple trees
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I live in an alluvial plain in northern Thailand that is surrounded by mountains. Just to the north of me are the borders of Myanmar and Laos. To this day, many of the people I interact with live in bamboo huts on the sides of mountains. Within the last 50 years, refugee immigrants settled on the Thai side of the border in the mountains, however, they have been dispersed across the area in order to keep their village numbers low so that the Thai government does not consider them a threat. Rice is one of the main crops and a staple food source. Opium has been a major economical crop, but in the last 30 years, development projects have sought to replace opium with coffee, tea, and flowers in order to save the people from opium addiction. Tigers populations used to be much greater, but their numbers have declined to nearly none.