Today was one of those days where you had to pinch yourself to remember that it was actually happening! Saw some really powerful things today, all reminders of God's goodness and his constant pursuit for and love for all of his children!
Our travels today took us to Tel Arad (Numbers 21), where we got to see a temple built to 1/3 the size of the temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem. I think they coolest reminder here was that we got to step into the 'holy of holies' - because the curtain has been forever torn and we can be in direct relationship with God. We also shared a really powerful conversation about worship with our group - which always stirs my heart :)
Next we took the winding roads to Masada. I was looking forward to this place due to converstaions I had with people who had gone who were left marveled at it - and tell you what, I was not disappointed. Masada is mentioned in 1 Samuel 23, as the 'stronghold' to which David very likely went as he fled from Saul.
Then, what so far has stirred my spirit the most, was our visit to En Gedi - literally a spring of fresh water flowing out of the rocks. This will probably be one of the few places that we will experience untouched - just as David and his fleeing med would have. It was a powerful reminder of David's words in the Psalms about living water.
Finally, we got to experience the Dead Sea - going for a float and caking our bodies with the mud. Definitely a sensation that is hard to put into words.
Again - a powerful day today, especially En Gedi, where God continues to reveal more of himself to me personally, and to those in our group about who He is, what He has done, and who I am in relationship to Him!
Enjoy....
TEL ARAD:
Approaching Tel Arad
View of some Canaanite ruins around the city.
The 'Holy of Holies' - which WE CAN ENTER!
Hard to catch it all, but this is the temple (the holy of holies is way to the mid-left of the picture. Again, was 1/3 the size of the temple that Solomon built.
Water Cistern system...
Water Cistern system, again, notice how deep!
A panorama of the landscape around the city
These are the walls - probably 12 feet thick.
My beautiful lady...
Notice the green olive grooves in the distance...
Psalm 23: 'Lead me in paths of righteousness..."
If you look closely, you can see some horizontal lines running across these mountains. These lines are literally referred to as 'paths of righteousness' ,created by sheep, as the safest, most sure footed way, up the mountain. As a shepherd, David would have known this full well, and why he would use that phrase in his psalms.
'The Wilderness'. It is very likely that this is the type of landscape that Jesus wandered for 40 days after being baptized and before beginning his ministry. Far from my 'Sahara Desert' picture I had in my mind.
The story of Hagar finding rest in a 'broom bush' and the story of Elijah under the 'broom bush'. This is how they would have found shade and refuge in these trees.
And it just so happened that while we were out on the hillside, we came across a group of camels! Our group even got to pet and 'sort of' sit on them :)
Pat, braving the camel. Bucket list item :)
Keith and Mason petting the camel.
Even Anita got in on the fun!!
Another great picture of 'the wilderness' that Jesus would have been in.
MASADA:
Our view as we pulled up to Masada. You can see the ramp just behind the palm tree that the Romans built to conquer this stronghold. Again, this is where David fled at one point as he ran from Saul. The 3 tiers on the left is where Herod the Great built his palaces.
This place is hard to take pictures at, because none of them do it justice. So here are a slew of them...
view of the 3 tiers out onto the Dead Sea.
Extremely blessed to be on this trip with my best friend too!
A view up the ramp as we walked along the side.
A swimming pool
Just to give you an idea of the size of the area on top of this hill!
If you can make them out, there is a stone wall and some stone squares built by the Romans as they attacked the stronghold.
Our group as we study up on the hill.
The synagoge
Walking down some steps literally on the side of the mountain to get to the 3 palaces built on the front.
View from the lowest tier.
Looking back up at the 3 tiers.
Again, if you can make out the line and the square of stone, built by the Romans all the way around the mountain.
View from the top tier.
A replica of what it would have looked like in its glory.
On the way down the mountain, here is what it looks like around the backside.
Lunch = delicious!
And...it just so happened that Mark Sanchez was eating lunch 5 feet away
EN GEDI:
all of a sudden this is water flowing!
We started at the bottom, and worked out way up. Passed my beautiful water falls and flowing water. I can only imagine the true and sheer joy in David and his men's hearts as they heart and saw the water.
The beautiful waterfall where we spent some time cooling down.
Allowing the freshness of the water to wash over us!
David's Waterfall....amazing, beautiful, and peaceful.
Cave's that David and his men very likely did some hiding in.
DEAD SEA:
Approaching the Dead Sea.
This is Cory, Mason and Bryce in the middle (Cory has arms raised) as they head in to float in the sea.
Our crew (minus Bryce since he is taking the picture) as we are lathered up in mud!
You really do float :)
Keith & Anita
Keith, Anita & Pat
Truly an awesome day that I will never forget the memories of, and how scripture came to life in a really cool way.
We are hunkered down on the outskirts of Jericho tonight - tomorrow we will visit some caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found, we will visit the ruins of Jericho, before heading over to our first stop in Jerusalem.
Thank you for the prayers - they are felt and appreciated more than you know!
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