Tuesday, March 15: Lido resort, Masada, En Gedi, Qumran, Dead Sea

The day began with the anticipation of beginning in the heights of Masada, then finishing at the lowest point below sea level – the Dead Sea.

Lido resort…located at the edge of where the Dead Sea was in 1967, and now more than 60 feet above the sea’s level. Back then it was a bustling resort, but it was bombed out in the 1967 war and never restored. The site provided a graphic picture of how much, and how fast, the sea level is diminishing due to multiple factors. There we also learned how Herod the Great amassed great wealth through controlling commerce and developing products that no one else could replicate.

Masada…an extremely high fortress, possibly used by David when he was hiding from Saul, it served as Herod the Great’s place to keep his family safe when he was traveling or at war. Later, it became the location that 1,000 Zealot Jews made their last stand against Rome. Rather than be captured, they committed suicide. Incredible engineering was performed to keep the fortress in fresh water and food. It is estimated that there were enough supplies to feed 10,000 men for ten years. When Old Testament writers talked about God being our fortress and strength, their reference was often Masada.

Taking the cable car up to Masada

Looking down at the water lines feeding Masada

En Gedi…on the way back to the Dead Sea we visited En Gedi. These springs sustained David when he was hiding from Saul. When David referred to God as his living water, he was referencing the life given to him and his troops by living near these springs. A long and safe climb brought everyone to David’s falls coming out of a large cave. Our rabbi challenged everyone to rededicate to letting God bring His living water to us so that, in turn, we can give to others.

Marveling at David's waterfall at En Gedi

The Qumran cave after years of erosion

Qumran…believed to be an ancient monastic settlement of Essene scholars who were meticulous in copying Scripture. Their community was destroyed by the Romans in 68 AD. The belief is that the scrolls were hidden in the caves to protect them from being destroyed. Prior to their discovery the earliest source for Scripture was about 1000 AD. This discovery not only moved that date to about 100 AD, but also provided consistency between both sources, validating how God protects His Word over time. We closed with the following song:

Ancient words ever true
Changing me, and changing you.
We have come with open hearts
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Holy words of our Faith 
Handed down to this age.
Came to us through sacrifice
Oh heed the faithful words of Christ.

Holy words long preserved 
For our walk in this world.
They resound with God's own heart
Oh let the ancient words impart.

Dead Sea…having driven along the Dead Sea all day, we finally had the opportunity to experience what water is like when it is 33% salt. The bottom was muddy, the water was murky, but when you sat down in it, you could float high enough to read the newspaper. A lot of great humor was shared during this experience, with the bus ride back anticipating tomorrow’s schedule. We happened to meet another tour guide who was on our flight from Frankfurt. It’s interesting to note their tour is experiencing the same health problems as our group.  Maybe the airplane?

Our evening meeting began with a review of everyone’s health status and tomorrow’s schedule. Sadly, it was interrupted when Bill and Lyn learned that two of Oakdale Park’s extended family were killed in last night’s motorcycle accident in Grand Rapids. Members shared additional prayer requests for one member’s aunt who had a stroke yesterday and another member’s two close friends who were have serious cancer surgery tomorrow. We recognized that illness and death have reached into our pilgrimage. As such, we need to claim God’s promise to shepherd us through the wildernesses in life.