Bulletin Articles: Full Article for Record Number 1011
The Valley Of Achor
by Larry Ray Hafley
"And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt" (Hos. 2:15).
"’The valley of Achor’ (of troubling), a barren and desolate area west of the north end of the Dead Sea, where Achan and his family had been stoned, would be to them a door of hope. The judgment through which she must pass and the captivity of Assyria...would be a door through which she must enter into the new life with God" (Hailey, Minor Prophets, 143).
You remember covetous Achan (Josh. 7). He took the spoils of battle, money and garments, during the overthrow of Jericho. He, whose name means "trouble," was stoned to death in the valley of Achor, which means, "troubling." The troubler suffered a troubling.
God said that the northern kingdom of Israel would pass through a troubling ("the valley of Achor") which would be their door of hope. It is often the case. The profligate prodigal of Luke 15 went through the "valley of Achor," the hog lot of the world, where he came to himself and vowed his return in repentance.
Jesus spoke to such people and invited them to come to him for relief and release. "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light" (Matt. 11:28-30).
Godly men always hope (Rom. 8:24; Eph. 4:4). However, many only seek it when they are in trouble. When they awake to righteousness and find themselves suffering through the valley of Achor, then they seek for hope as those parched of the desert search for water. In that respect, the valley becomes the threshold to deliverance and the door of hope for goodness and gladness. The contented and comfortable sinner sees no need for hope. Like the rich man of Luke 12:15-21, he is sufficient, or so he thinks. Knowing not what is in store, he blindly goes through life. It is only when he enters the searing valley of Achor, and not a minute before, that he realizes his trouble and looks for the hope of the open door.
Is such a person reading this brief essay? Has sin brought you into trouble? Are you being troubled in your own personal valley of troubling? Denial will gain you nothing except extended pain and anguish, both here and hereafter. Without blaming others, acknowledge your faults and failures. Though the music of your life has been silenced, you may strike a new chord and hear again the strains and melodies of love and life. While passing through the valley of Achor, you may see the door of hope and sing again as in the days of your youth.
