A land of contrasts

On Friday, we travelled from the mountain region around Jerusalem and Bethlehem, down through the Sorek Valley toward Gezer in the lowlands, which guards teh way to Jerusalem from the coastal plain. In less than an hour's drive, we changed altitude from 3000 feet to just above sea level, and changed from brilliant green mountain valleys to the recently harvested flatlands. Here is a glimpse of the Sorek Valley, a little west of Bethlehem.

I can imagine David walking along the ridge of this canyon, on his way to bring meals to his brothers who are locked in fear because of the intimidating threats and size of Goliath from Gath, a Philistine city on the coastal plain. God trained him in courage, wandering through the hills, caring for his father's sheep, protecting them from bears and lions. Courage - it would take a lot of it just to walk through a valley like this.