Garden of the Gods: The Garden of Israel

What does God want for His nation, Israel? What does He want for all His people, for that matter? Exactly what He wanted in the beginning.

^24:1 Now when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not resort to divination as at other times, but turned his face toward the wilderness. ² When Balaam looked out and saw Israel encamped tribe by tribe, the Spirit of God came on him ³ and he spoke his message:

“The prophecy of Balaam son of Beor, the prophecy of one whose eye sees clearly, ⁴ the prophecy of one who hears the words of God, who sees a vision from the Almighty, who falls prostrate, and whose eyes are opened: ⁵ “How beautiful are your tents, Jacob, your dwelling places, Israel! ⁶ “Like valleys they spread out, like gardens beside a river, like aloes planted by Yahweh, like cedars beside the waters. (Numbers 24:1-6)

Balaam wanted to curse Israel, it was what he was hired to do, but instead he saw Israel’s blessed future. Israel’s prophets also saw this future for Israel.

Yahweh will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. (Isaiah 58:11)

They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of Yahweh — the grain, the new wine and the olive oil, the young of the flocks and herds. They will be like a well-watered garden, and they will sorrow no more. (Jeremiah 31:12)

This is what God wants for us. He wants us to be that beautiful, well-ordered creation among whom He walks with great admiration and appreciation. That is what He’s working to make us, to restore us to what we were in the beginning.