Day 7 – Monday, November 7: Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Wilderness of Judah, Jerusalem
Today was a “desert day,” with warmer temps and hazy sun. This region is sure different than the regions in the north. Before breakfast most in the group enjoyed a “sunrise float” in the Dead Sea. Following breakfast, we loaded the bus and drove north to our first site. We read Psalm 18:1-2 as we left the hotel.
Masada
Masada (metzada, in Hebrew, Psalm 18:1-2) was our first site and only a 15 minute drive from our hotel. 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 the 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 12 in the group walked down the Snake Path.
Ein Gedi
We drove about 20 minutes north of Masada to get to Ein Gedi, one of only a few oasis here in the edge of the Judean Desert. We read from Song of Songs 1, 2 Chronicles 20 (the “Ascent of Ziz”) and 1 Samuel 24 (David hid from Saul here). We also saw a long snake (the first seen here by Dr. John in 30 years!). A number in the group hiked back to the water falls at the end of the canyon. On the way many in the group enjoyed getting wet under one of the smaller water falls. 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. It was here at Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found! The discovery began in 1947, while the excavation took place through 1956. First, we all walked to the cliff area above the archaeological site. Here we could see Cave 6. We then walked back down through the ruins where a small community of Essenes lived (or retreated to from Jerusalem, as a new theory suggests). 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 is such a unique and beautiful place. The sites we saw here (Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Wadi Qelt) were incredible too. Hearing the history of Masada was moving while getting wet under the waterfalls at Ein Gedi was refreshing!”
Wadi Qelt
En route to Jerusalem, we made a brief stop overlooking the Wadi Qelt. We enjoyed a sunset here over this “dry and desolate” unique region (Psalm 63). 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!
Jerusalem
We continued ascending to Jerusalem, passing Bethany and Bethpage on the way! We checked in to our hotel, enjoyed a wonderful dinner, and an optional walk to the Western Wall to end the evening! We are looking forward to our first day in Jerusalem tomorrow!
Day 8 – Tuesday, November 8: Mt. of Olives, Old City, Pool of Bethesda, Holy Sepulcher Church, Shephelah: Gezer, Beth Shemesh, Socoh/Elah Valley, Bethlehem
