"Because the place if demanding it builds character, because it is destructive it builds interdependence, because it's isolating it builds community, because it's the desert it builds nations" Bruce Feiler
mi-bar | מִדְבַּ֥ר is the word for desert root word is: דבר | dbr
In Hebrew root words are used which are a set of consonants, that form the root of a number of lemmas. There are no vowels but they have breathing marks and its by changing these that we get other words. These lemmas all share something which unites them around the root word.
| דבר | dbr |
|---|---|
| מִדְבַּ֥ר | mi-bar |
| mi-bar | desert |
| da-bar | word |
| di-bber | to speak |
| mad-beer | shepherd |
| do-ber | pasture |
| d'vir | sheepfold |
So what does "to speak" and "word" have to do with the desert?
Desert is where God's people go to become people who listen to God's word.
Pasture and Desert
Pastures in ANE are not like we think of lush green fields. Pastures are the desert because it was too expensive to put sheep where there was lots of green grass. Sheep would be brought in during a 2 week period to graze the stubble of the farmland and fertilize it.
Desert is the place where a shepherd leads their flock, not with a stick but with their voice. Contrasted with Pharaoh who leads by the stick [by power]
Psalm 23
Psalm 23:1–6 (ESV)
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.
3He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Green pastures are tiny tufts of green grass in the middle of desert land
still waters is the water that's left over after a rainy season, it's muddy but provides just enough - the sheep trust the story as we are to trust Yahweh
valley of shadow of death is a horrible place where you are stuck with the flock but you are in danger
Goodness and mercy -> mercy -> he-sed | faithful love
Misc
Interesting fact: many shepherds, the majority, shepherds were/are always women. It was the norm for the young girl of a family to be the one who takes care of the flock.