Day 7 – Friday, May 13: Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Wilderness of Judah, Jerusalem
Today was a hot day here in the area of the Dead Sea, though it would be a bit cooler when we arrived in Jerusalem late this afternoon. Today was “desert day” in this unique part of the land.
Masada
Following breakfast, we loaded the bus and drove to Masada (metzada, in Hebrew, Psalm 18:1-2). This was built in the 30s BC as a palace-fortress by Herod the Great. We took the cable car to the top and began seeing thew ruins from the 1st century. We saw huge cisterns, the western and northern palaces, the Roman Ramp, the synagogue, and the bathhouse. In 70 AD, this was the location where 967 Jews found refuge from the Romans following the destruction of the Temple. The holdout lasted about three years until all by five of these Jews (a few women and children) took their own lives. It is a story of bravery and courage! Most of us took the cable car back down, while some in the group walked down the Snake Path.
Ein Gedi
We drove a bout 15 minutes north of Masada to get to Ein Gedi, one of only a few oasis here in the edge of the Judean Desert. We walked back to the first water falls. We read from Song of Songs 1, 2 Chronicles 20 (the “Ascent of Ziz”) and 1 Samuel 24 (David hid from Saul here). A few in the group hiked back to the water falls at the end of the canyon. It was amazing to see so much water here in the desert!
Qumran
Continuing about 30 minutes north we arrived at Qumran. We enjoyed lunch here before seeing this most important site. Others in the group chose to hike to the cliff area during lunch time. It was here at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found! The discovery began in 1947, while the excavation took place through 1956. We saw the ruins where a small community of Essenes lived (or retreated to from Jerusalem). To date, over 900 scrolls and fragments of texts scrolls have been discovered in 12 caves. The scrolls/texts date primarily from the 3rd century BC – 1st century AD. At the small archaeological site we saw cisterns, ritual baths (mikvot), and the scriptorium. In front of “Cave 4” (where the majority of texts were found), we read from “Psalm 151,” and Psalm 19. We celebrated the perseverance of God’s Word!
“The Judean Desert as remarkable to see. The Bible translates is ‘wilderness’ which conjured up an entirely different image in my mind. However, this region is truly a dry and dusty desert. Once again, the connections with the Bible were many! Keep them coming!”
Wadi Qelt
En route to Jerusalem, we made a brief stop overlooking the Wadi Qelt. This is the heart of the Judean Desert! We heard “Isaiah, the prophet” proclaim the words, “Prepare the way for the Lord…” (Isaiah 40), and Psalm 23 sung by Shlomo. The view was breathtaking! We also enjoyed the “surprise visit” overlook further east of the St. George Greek monastery built into the side of the cliff.
Jerusalem
We continued ascending to Jerusalem, passing Bethany and Bethpage on the way! We checked in to our hotel, enjoyed a wonderful “Shabbat” dinner, and an optional walk to the Western Wall to end the evening! We are looking forward to our first full day in Jerusalem tomorrow!
Day 8 – Saturday, May 14: Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Garden Tomb, Pool of Bethesda, Herodium, Bethlehem
