We read in the Bible much of one certain country, of its cities, valleys, and mountains. It used to be called Canaan.
Not long ago some boys were asked if they thought Canaan were a real land, and if people still live there. One boy said he thought it was not a real land, another boy, older, said, “Yes, it is a real land, only it is called a different name now.” That was the right answer. The name now used is Palestine.
Look on a map or globe and you will find this narrow country in the west of Asia, along the Mediterranean Sea. It is only about 40 miles across to its east borders, the Jordan River and the Dead Sea. The north and south borders have sometimes changed, but it is about 200 miles in length.
Some places have different names than they once had, others have the same as in the early times. The walls and buildings of many cities have been thrown down in wars, then leveled off and re-built. The city we hear most of is Jerusalem, and it has been built over many times. Men dig in the old ruins, and often find dishes and articles of long ago.
Many races of people have lived in those cities, but it has been the special land of the Hebrew people. Now there are many Turks, Arab, and others there. And there are railroads, highways, and all modern inventions, yet in some ways many there live as people did so many years ago.
The same mountains, valleys, and streams are seen now, as in Old Testament times. It is very warm in the southern plains, cooler in the north and on the mountains.
All kinds of trees, grains, and plants grow in Palestine. We would all like to see the fruit trees: fig, date, orange, banana, apple, peach, pear, and others; besides olive and nut trees, and very many grapes. Many beautiful flowers grow wild.
It was to this land the Lord Jesus came, and lived all His life on earth. So it is often spoken of as The Holy Land. At that time it was divided into parts called Galilee, Samaria, and Judea.
ML 06/19/1938