Geography helps us to gain perspective on what we read in the Bible. Genesis 12:1 makes a simple statement:
Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”
From his home in Ur (in today’s southern Iraq), Abraham, with his father and household, trekked at least 600 miles to Haran (in today’s southern Turkey). Then, called to move on, they travelled about the same distance into Canaan—a total of well over 1,200 miles (1,930 km) since land travel is seldom in a straight line. After that, Abraham was a wandering nomad all his life. These details help us to appreciate Abraham’s faith. He believed so completely that he invested great effort and expense to travel in obedience to God. The Bible gives the bare facts: Abraham left Ur and went to Haran, then to Canaan. Rather than passing over those facts, think about them. Imagine yourself in their situation. Wear their sandals, so to speak. How would you feel about moving your family? What would it involve? What did they learn from having no settled home? (For an answer, see Hebrews 11:8-16, another example of the Bible interpreting itself.)
Curiosity also helps. Have you wondered about Acts 8, how a man in Africa knew about the God of Israel? Consider some background supplied by the Bible. Through Moses, God had warned rebellious Israelites, “The LORD will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other” (Deuteronomy 28:64). That prophecy came true, as well as its sequel, “The LORD your God will restore your fortunes… He will gather you again from all the peoples where the LORD your God has scattered you” (Deuteronomy 30:3). The prophet Isaiah listed Cush as one of the many places from which Jewish exiles would return (Isaiah 11:11 cf. 18:1-7). Cush was the old name for biblical Ethiopia. Since Jews had been exiled there, their influence and even some of their believing descendants could have continued for centuries. Whether he learned that way or not, the Ethiopian knew the importance of worship in Jerusalem.
Geography adds further perspective to this story. Historical records show that Candace’s nation was called Meroe, and its capital was about 140 miles (225 km) northeast of Khartoum, Sudan. If so, the Ethiopian traveled one way 1,500 miles (2,414 km) to reach Jerusalem. Again, in your mind, sit with the eunuch in his chariot or carriage. Try to read the scroll as you bounce along rough roads. Check on maps and other resources to get a sense of what he endured to worship God in Jerusalem. “Gird up the loins of your mind” for deeper thought, appreciation and enjoyment in your Bible study.