The Valley of Baca

Psalm 84:5-8

[5] Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them. 

[6] Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. 

[7] They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. 

[8] O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah.

This is the only passage where the “Valley of Baca” is mentioned in the Bible. The Hebrew word baca is related to bakah, which means “to weep.” Baca is a type of “weeping” tree that drips resin or gum-like tears, such as a balsam, mulberry, or aspen tree.

The Valley of Baca was probably a literal place near Jerusalem. One possible representation is the Valley of Rephaim, the site of one of David’s victories over the Philistines. Another possibility is the Valley of Achor, where Achan was executed for bringing guilt upon the nation. Based on the passage, the pilgrims probably passed through this dry and waterless valley on their way to Jerusalem to worship. 

The psalmist uses the Valley of Baca to illustrate a difficult and sorrowful path in life. The name Baca indicates a dry, arid region since this is where these types of weeping trees tend to grow. As people traveled to Jerusalem to worship, they would pass through this weary, “weeping” place, but their journey was ultimately worth it.

Going through this valley is not an enjoyable experience. It is similar to the believers who experience sorrow in life but find strength in God. With the Lord in His rightful place, the Valley of Baca becomes a place of comfort and victory instead of sorrow and grief.

The journey of a faithful Christian through times of hardship is a step-by-step journey “from strength to strength.” Trials are tempered over time. It must go through a process to reach an expected end. But it is only understood when it is over to see that God is working in his own time 

The Valley of Baca pictures the longing of all those who follow the Lord in their life journey. These are the faithful with their intense desire to worship the Lord: Psalm 84:1-2: “How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! [2] My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God.”

Our spiritual journey is not always easy. Sometimes, we go through a dry and parch valley of death. Our faith is tested, and too often, we fail and quit. Other times, we complain and murmur against God. Let us be like the children of Israel; because of their desire to reach Jerusalem, the temple of God, they continued their journey until they reached the place of blessings. How often have we quit or almost quit, not realizing that the oasis is the next stop?

When our desire is motivated and led by God, press on. The road may be rough, but God will be with us all the way. 

Our Prayer today:

Our Lord and Heavenly Father, forgive us for too often we quit, complain, murmur, and doubt You in our spiritual journey. We have allowed ourselves to lose sight of your presence and will. 

We fail to understand why sometimes we must go through the dark valleys and steep terrain. We want everything easy. 

Help us to surrender to Your will and accept wherever You lead us, even through the valley of Baca. 

We pray humbly in the precious of Jesus, Amen!