Havilah...

is the place of my dreams....


"And Jehovah Elohim planted a garden in Eden eastward, and there put Man whom he had formed. And a river went out of Eden, to water the garden; and from thence it was parted, and became four main streams. The name of the one is Pison: that is it which surrounds the whole land of Havilah, where the gold is. And the gold of that land is good; bdellium and the onyx stone are there." Genesis 2:8, 10-12 DBY


It takes me back to the time when sin had not yet marred Yahweh's glorious creation. When I picture Havilah, I envision my home in heaven....


Entering from the east side, a circular valley is surrounded by towering green mountains. A mansion sits atop the far crest, called Mount Shalom(1). My view is toward the east where I can see in the distance the streams of dazzling Shekinah glory emanating from Yahweh's throne. In the cool of the day He comes and leads me up the heights of Mount Hermon(2) where we share sweet communion. There is an awe and reverence in this place, hidden from view in the valley, a place known only to the King and His treasure. Through the midst of the luscious valley flows the prodigious river, Pishon(3), birthed from the waterfall cascading down Shalom mountain, its banks bathing with emerald blades. Beneath its crystal clear waters lay a multitude of precious stones...red carnelian, pale-green peridot, white moonstone, blue-green beryl, onyx, jasper, blue lapis lazuli, turquoise, sapphire, topaz, diamond, sardius...their colors making the surface of the water appear iridescent. Each morning at sunrise the mist, rising from the river, creates a rainbow of a million hues. Between the banks of the river and the foothills of the mountains spreads a blushing meadow bursting with blooms. Graceful willows rise above its flowing carpet, the hart and hind resting in their shade. The air is filled with the song of birds, blended with angel voices, and accompanied by a harpist nestled in the crags of Mount Tehillah(4). In the meadow white lambs scamper and play while their tender shepherd joins in the jubilant song with his flute. A gentle breeze wafts the perfume of myrrh* trees down from the mountains. All is peace, rest, and quietness of heart.


Welcome to my valley...the land of Havilah.






(1) peace, completeness, and welfare(reference: Wikipedia)
(2) a sanctuary(reference: Bible concordance)
(3) water poured forth, overflowing, increase (reference: Bible concordance)
(4) to sing, to laud; a spontaneous new song. Singing from a melody in your heart by adding words to it. This refers to a special kind of singing-it is singing unprepared, unrehearsed songs. Singing straight to God. Can move into tehilah anytime. Singing it the second time would be ZAMAR . It is the praise that God inhabits (sits enthroned on)(Psalm 22:3) God manifests Himself in the midst of exuberant singing. (reference:http://www.watchmanministries.org/worship/HebrewforPraise.htm)


*In April 2009, through a rather humorous event, I discovered my love of myrrh. It was unlike anything I had ever smelled. Interestingly, in Genesis 2 the bdellium mentioned is a resin similar to myrrh and is produced by a related plant.