Understanding the Biblical Time Through Geography

While  geography is not integral, per se, to the acceptance of biblical knowledge, it is extremely beneficial to the understanding of it. Being a preacher's kid, apart from being surrounded by a pastor who would take any and all opportunities to preach, I have had plenty of time and study to get acquainted with the bible. However, anyone who knows me at all and has been in a car with me can tell you, my skills and understanding of navigation are obscenely terrible. So being forced to map out most of the Middle East in our map tests was, while very challenging, extremely helpful to my core understanding of the Bible and biblical stories. Knowing where Jericho, Samaria, Babel, and all the modern countries surrounding them, helped me realize how influential the surrounding world was to the growing of the Gospel.

In the study "Understanding and Experiencing the Historical Geography of Israel" (http://bible.org/seriespage/understanding-and-experiencing-historical-geography-israel) , the author says:
"Geography affects history. Trace any civilization back to its origin, and geography provides the stage of history’s drama. Be it a strategic military position, an abundant water supply, or a convenient traveling route, geography determines, to a great extent, where historical events occur." This was true for the Spartans in the Battle of Thermopylae, the 6-day war and its miracle defense, during World War II (dam-busting to destroy enemies holds on rivers), and also very true for biblical history. Geography affects our very lives today. Vitally important in our every day.