DAY 5: THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 2:
The 6th century AD Medeba Map
Today was our first full day in Jordan. The sun greeted us once again, with comfortable highs in the 70s. After breakfast, check-out, and loading the bus, we departed from the hotel shortly after 8 a.m. With our Jordanian guide, Sammy, aboard, we drove to our first site of the day, Medeba, the city of mosaics. On the way, we began with reading Deuteronomy 31 and 32, about the end of the life of Moses.
Medeba
An olive tree
Medeba is actually the largest “Christian” city in Jordan. The population is about 200,000. It is mentioned in the Bible (Joshua 13, Isaiah 15). The stop here allowed us to see the famous 6th century “Medeba Map” of the ancient near eastern world at that time. Quite clearly, places like the Dead Sea, Jordan River, Jerusalem, Jericho, and many others are displayed with great detail. Near the church, a lady was harvesting olives too. In this area of Moab, we also recalled the stories of Ruth (Ruth 1) and Ehud, the Israelite judge and Eglon, the fat Moabite king (Judges 3).
Mt. Nebo
View from Mt. Nebo of Israel & the Dead Sea. Moses died here (Dt. 34)
Driving about 7 miles west from Medeba, we arrived at Mt. Nebo. According to Deuteronomy 34, Mt. Nebo was where Moses died. The view from here this morning to the west was excellent, clear enough to see the Jordan Valley, the city of Jericho, the northern tip of the Dead Sea quite clearly. We could even see the hills of Jerusalem far on the western horizon. We also read Joshua 1 and Hebrews 11 (about the faith of Moses) and considered the amazing leadership of both Moses and Joshua. It would be Joshua who, by faith, led the Israelites across the Jordan River into Israel. The “Conquest” took place in 1,410 BC, with Jericho being the first of 31 cities being taken.
Machaerus
Machaerus, Jordan. John the Baptist was beheaded here (Mt. 14)
After a stop at a mosaic store and having a great lunch back in Medeba, we drove southwest to Machaerus. This is an archaeological site of one of the “fortress-palaces” of Herod the Great. It was built first by the Hasmoneans (in 90 BC) and then destroyed by the Romans in 57 AD. In 30 BC, Herod the Great rebuilt it. This was where John the Baptist was beheaded by Herod Antipas (Mark 6, Matthew 14). Herod Antipas, one of the three sons of Herod the Great who took over their father’s kingdom, reigned from 4 BC – 39 AD. He was married originally to the daughter of the Nabatean ruler, King Aretas IV (he reigned from 9 BC – 40 AD. Paul mentions him in 2 For. 11:24-25). Most in the group hiked to the top of this “fortress” where we saw the palace, a few miqve (Jewish ritual baths), and a few other structures. The view over into Israel (across from Engedi where we will be in 2 days), was fairly good!
The Road to Petra
Sunset in Jordan
From here we drove primarily on the Desert Highway but also on portion of the King’s Highway (Numbers 20-21). The desert sunset was very nice! We stopped about half way for restrooms and snacks before arriving at our hotel in Wadi Musa outside of Petra about 7:15 p.m. We enjoyed dinner together before retiring for the evening.
We all are looking forward to spending 6+ hours in Petra tomorrow.