Day 5 – Friday, June 17: Masada, Engedi, Qumran, Dead Sea, Wadi Qelt

 

We enjoyed a great sunrise this morning at 5 a.m., with the runners of the race taking off towards Masada. It would be another sunny day today (as expected for June and all summer long) as our travels took us up the western coastline of the Dead Sea. The temperatures were hot and dry, with highs about 95.We read from Psalm 18:1-2 (metzada) following a great breakfast at the Bedouin camp.

 

Masada

The plans were to drive east to Masada and walk up the Roman Ramp of  Masada. Due to the Masada Marathan, the road was closed, causing us to drive around to the east side and take the cable car to the top. Masada was a palace-fortress built by King Herod in the 30s BC. On top of there site we saw the western palace, cisterns, storehouses, and and synagogue. Most in there group then walked down to the lower level of the northern palace. Prior to taking the cable car back down (the Snake Path was closed because of the heat), we saw the bathhouse. The courageous story of Masada (with 967 using the site as a place of refuge) is incredible!

 

Ein Gedi

We drove about 20 minutes to a unique place here on the eastern edge of the Judean Desert. Ein Gedi is one of only a few natural springs. Together we walked into the canyon (Wadi David) where we stopped to read from Song of Songs 1 (mentioning the henna blossoms), 2 Chronicles 20 (mentioning the Ascent of Ziz), and 1 Samuel 24 (the David and Saul “cave encounter”). We walked back to the far water falls. Many enjoyed getting wet under few of the water falls!

 

Qumran

The most significant discovery in all of Israel were the Dead Sea Scrolls found at  Qumran in 1947. Ancient scrolls were found here preserved in 12 separate caves. At the site itself we saw many miqvot (plural for mikve, or ritual baths), cisterns, and the scriptorium. In front of Cave 4 (and 5 & 10), we read from Psalm 19 and “151,” an extra psalm found here. Thanks be to God for the preservation of His Word.

 
“The Judean Desert has a certain beauty to it that I didn’t understand before. While it is a rocky and dry region of the Bible, the high mountains and oasis (like En Gedi) were stunning.”
Dead Sea June 2022 Israel Tour John DeLancey
Dead Sea

Our last experience of the day was to float in the Dead Sea. This is the lowest place on earth! We went to Qumran’s public beach where we enjoy floating in this body of water (33% salt and minerals). The breeze from the east stirred up some waves, but the floating sensation was unique!

 

Wadi Qelt Overlook

Our last stop of the day was an overlook of Wadi Qelt. Here we were visited by “Isaiah, the prophet” who shared the words of Isaiah 40 with us. Shlomo also sang Psalm 23 for us. The setting for these two passages was perfect.

From here we drove to our “kibbutz-hotel” (Al Mog) close by for dinner and overnight.

 

Day 6 – Saturday, June 18: Jericho, Beth Shean, Beit Alpha, Sachne, Spring of Harod, Mt. Gilboa, Sea of Galilee

Masada Ramp June 2022 Israel Tour John DeLancey
En Gedi Falls June 2022 Israel Tour John DeLancey
Masada Palace June 2022 Israel Tour John DeLancey
Qumran June 2022 Israel Tour John DeLancey

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