Study Audio Download

The Spiritual Significance of Valleys in Scripture

[Study Aired April 8, 2025]

Introduction

In our previous study, “The Spiritual Journey Through the Mountains of Scripture,” we explored how mountains in Scripture symbolize significant stages of spiritual growth and transformation. Just as mountains represent divine encounters, covenants, and spiritual victories, valleys hold equally profound spiritual lessons. While mountains highlight spiritual highs, revelation, and closeness to God, valleys emphasize humility, testing, and God’s faithful presence through life’s challenges. This complementary study of valleys deepens our understanding, illustrating that spiritual maturity involves both ascending mountains and traversing valleys.

Remember that “the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20), and physical patterns in creation reveal spiritual truths, for “the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made” (Romans 1:20). By examining valleys in Scripture, we discover essential insights into God’s transformative work in our lives, equipping us to navigate difficulties with faith, discernment, and hope.

Valleys as Places of Testing and Humbling

Throughout Scripture, valleys often represent places of testing, humility, and preparation before spiritual elevation. David’s experience in the Valley of Elah before confronting Goliath powerfully illustrates this pattern. When facing the giant, David declared, “Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied” (1 Samuel 17:45). This valley encounter preceded David’s elevation to prominence in Israel, showing how God uses valleys to prepare us for greater purposes.

The Valley of Baca, mentioned in Psalm 84, further illustrates this principle: “Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God” (Psalm 84:6-7). The name “Baca” means “weeping,” suggesting that this valley represents seasons of sorrow and difficulty. Yet notice how those passing through this valley transform it into a place of refreshment — they “make it a well.” This shows that times of humbling and testing, when approached with faith, become sources of spiritual growth and blessing.

The prophet Hosea captures this transformative purpose of valleys: “And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope” (Hosea 2:15). The Valley of Achor, whose name means “trouble,” becomes “a door of hope.” This pattern reveals how God transforms our places of trouble into gateways of hope as we yield to His purifying work.

Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones powerfully demonstrates this principle. In a place of death and barrenness, God asked, “Son of man, can these bones live?” (Ezekiel 37:3). Through prophesying as commanded, Ezekiel witnessed a resurrection: “and the breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army” (Ezekiel 37:10). This vision shows how God brings life from death, strength from weakness, in the valleys of our experience.

Valleys as Places of Decision and Judgment

The Valley of Jehoshaphat, or “the valley of decision,” represents God’s judgment and the consequences of spiritual choices. Joel prophesied: “Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision” (Joel 3:14). This valley symbolizes moments of spiritual crisis where destinies are determined based on response to God’s word.

The Valley of Hinnom, later called Gehenna (translated as “hell” in the New Testament), served as Jerusalem’s garbage dump where continual fires burned. Jesus referenced this location when warning: “If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:29). This valley represents the consequences of unrepentant sin and the judgment that follows.

These valleys of judgment serve as warnings, yet also carry redemptive purpose. As Isaiah prophesied: “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain” (Isaiah 40:4). This leveling process might seem painful, for valleys must first be filled and mountains must first be brought low. Spiritually speaking, this represents God’s transformative work within us, often through trials, discipline, and humbling experiences. Though such experiences may feel difficult or even overwhelming, they are essential, as they strip away our pride, self-dependence, and reliance upon fleshly wisdom. As God removes these obstacles, He creates a clear pathway for His righteous presence to manifest within our hearts and lives.

This preparation is not without purpose, as it readies us to receive something far greater—the revelation of God’s glory. The valleys that God fills represent our emptiness and need for Him, while the mountains He lowers symbolize our self-exaltation and human pride. Through this divine leveling, God places us on equal footing before Him, enabling us to witness His glory without obstruction.

The next verse beautifully underscores the profound purpose behind this process: “And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). God’s intention is not merely personal transformation but the universal unveiling of His glory. He desires that “all flesh” – every person, regardless of status, position, or strength—might witness the fullness of His majesty and recognize Him as the Sovereign Lord.

Therefore, what may initially feel painful or confusing is, in reality, God’s merciful act of preparation. In smoothing out spiritual terrain and leveling personal pride, He graciously readies each of us for the unparalleled privilege of beholding and reflecting His glory.

Valleys as Places of Provision and Blessing

Despite their association with testing and judgment, valleys in Scripture also represent places of glorious provision and blessing. The Psalmist declares: “He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters” (Psalm 23:2). These “green pastures” would typically be found in valleys where water collected and vegetation flourished. The same psalm later mentions “the valley of the shadow of death” (Psalm 23:4), showing that even in death’s valley, God provides comfort and guidance.

The Valley of Eshcol, where the Israelite spies gathered enormous clusters of grapes, represents abundance in lowly places: “And they came unto the brook of Eshcol, and cut down from thence a branch with one cluster of grapes, and they bare it between two upon a staff” (Numbers 13:23). Though the spies lacked faith to enter the land, this valley’s bounty testified to God’s provision.

The prophet Zechariah described a dramatic geographical transformation: “And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley… and ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains” (Zechariah 14:4-5). This newly-formed valley becomes a place of refuge during judgment, demonstrating how God provides escape in the midst of tribulation. “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Valleys as Places of Spiritual Transformation

The Valley Gate in Nehemiah’s account of rebuilding Jerusalem’s walls holds special significance: “The valley gate repaired Hanun, and the inhabitants of Zanoah; they built it, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof” (Nehemiah 3:13). This gate likely led to the Hinnom Valley and represents the humility required to enter God’s presence. Just as physically one had to descend through this gate, spiritually we must humble ourselves to experience God’s restoration work.

This principle of humility preceding elevation appears throughout Scripture. James declares: “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up” (James 4:10). Peter echoes this: “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time” (1 Peter 5:6). The sequence is clear—humbling precedes exaltation, valleys come before mountains.

Jesus Himself embodied this pattern. Paul describes: “Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him” (Philippians 2:6-9). Christ descended into the valley of human experience and death before His exaltation, establishing the pattern we all must follow.

The Valley of Vision: Seeing Spiritually in Low Places

Isaiah receives “the burden of the valley of vision” (Isaiah 22:1), a prophecy concerning Jerusalem. Though Jerusalem sat on hills, spiritually it had become a valley. This paradoxical name—Valley of Vision—reveals how spiritual sight often develops in places of humility. When we’re “brought low,” we gain perspective unavailable from mountaintops of pride forcing us to look up.

This connects to Paul’s experience with his “thorn in the flesh.” When he prayed for its removal, the Lord responded: “My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul then concluded: “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9). His valley experience became a place of clearer spiritual vision as he discovered Christ’s strength perfected in weakness.

The Valley Between—From Shadow to Substance

The physical geography of the temple in Jerusalem provides another spiritual pattern. The temple stood on Mount Moriah, while the Mount of Olives lay to the east, separated by the Kidron Valley. To approach the temple from the east required descending into this valley and then ascending the temple mount. Jesus often crossed this valley, physically enacting the spiritual reality that He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

On His final journey to Jerusalem, Jesus descended the Mount of Olives, crossed the Kidron Valley, and ascended to the temple (John 12:12-15; Matthew 21:1-11). Later, after the Last Supper, He reversed this journey, crossing the Kidron to Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives’ slopes (John 18:1; Matthew 26:36). This physical movement between mountains, passing through the valley, symbolizes His role as mediator—bridging heaven and earth, God and man. As John writes, “My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:1-2).

This pattern reveals that valleys often represent transitions between spiritual states. Paul explains this principle when discussing how the law serves as “our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ” (Galatians 3:24). The valley experience of law leads to the mountain of grace. Similarly, the tabernacle’s physical patterns showed “the example and shadow of heavenly things” (Hebrews 8:5), with the physical pattern being a valley pointing toward spiritual heights.

Practical Application: Our Valley Experiences

Understanding the spiritual significance of valleys transforms how we view difficult seasons in our lives. When faced with valleys of testing, humbling, or judgment, we can recognize these as necessary parts of our spiritual development. As David testified: “It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes” (Psalm 119:71).

Rather than resisting valley experiences, we can embrace them as opportunities for growth, knowing that “all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). Even the Valley of the Shadow of Death loses its terror when we realize “thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me” (Psalm 23:4).

The Valley of Dry Bones reminds us that even in situations that appear completely hopeless, God can bring resurrection life. When Ezekiel prophesied to the dry bones as commanded, “breath came into them, and they lived, and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army” (Ezekiel 37:10). This miraculous transformation illustrates how God works in our seemingly dead circumstances to display His power.

Conclusion: The Purpose of Valleys

The spiritual pattern revealed through valleys in Scripture shows that they serve multiple godly purposes:

1. Valleys humble us, preparing us for greater spiritual insight and elevation
2. Valleys test and purify our faith, revealing what truly motivates our hearts
3. Valleys serve as places of judgment and decision, where spiritual destinies are determined
4. Valleys provide unexpected blessing and provision in the midst of lowly circumstances
5. Valleys transform our spiritual vision, allowing us to see what pride obscures
6. Valleys mark transitions between spiritual states, serving as bridges in our journey

Ultimately, every valley in our experience prepares us for what lies beyond. As the psalmist declares, those passing through the Valley of Baca “go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God” (Psalm 84:7). The valleys we face are never dead ends but pathways to deeper communion with God.

Understanding this spiritual pattern helps us embrace Isaiah’s prophetic vision: “Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:4-5). In God’s perfect timing, every valley serves its purpose in revealing His glory and conforming us to the image of His Son.