Day 6 – Friday, February 24: Masada, Ein Gedi, Jericho, Wilderness of Judah/Wadi Qelt, Jerusalem
Today was a day spent in the Judean Desert! This unique region of Israel offers many connections to historical and biblical events. The weather was again very nice, with sunny skies and highs in the 70s (although cooler in Jerusalem when we arrived tonight). We read from Psalm 18 as we left the hotel this morning at 7:25.
Masada
To begin the day, we drove south along the western shoreline of the Dead Sea 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 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! Some in the group took the cable car back down while many others 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. It was amazing to see so much water here in the desert!
Jericho
We arrived at Jericho at the southern end of the Jordan Valley in time for a late lunch. We then climbed the site of ancient Jericho. We first looked east across the Jordan to recall a few biblical connections (e.g. Moses, Mt. Nebo, Dt. 31; Joshua crossing the river (Joshua 3), Elijah & Elisha (2 Kings 2), and Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3). We then saw an old stone tower that predates even Abraham and a small portion of the city wall on the southern end. Mud-bricks and a burn level could also be seen in a few places. We recalled the Joshua 6 story how the city was defeated (and burned) by the Israelites. Praise God for the historicity of the Bible as it happened just as recorded!
“The Judean Desert is such a unique and beautiful region of Israel. The story of Masada was powerful, the hike at Ein Gedi and seeing all this water here was incredible. Then to stand in front of the walls that Joshua saw at Jericho was inspirational. To top it off, the drive up through the Wadi Qelt capped off another great day!”
Wadi Qelt
On our way to Jerusalem, we took a unique narrow road up through there Wadi Qelt (the Judean Desert). We saw the amazing St. George Greek Orthodox monastery built into the cliff. Here is where we heard “the prophet Isaiah” greet us (Isaiah 40) and Psalm 23 sang by Shlomo.
We arrived at and checked in our hotel in Jerusalem. Following a wonderful Shabbat dinner, many in the group enjoyed an optional walk to the Western Wall. We are all looking forward to our first full day in Jerusalem tomorrow.
Day 7 – Saturday, February 25: Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Herodium, Bethlehem, Promenade
