Day 9 – Monday, March 27: Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, Jericho, Wilderness of Judah
Today was a “desert day” in the Judean Desert. The weather was perfect once again, with full sun and highs in the 70s. We saw four archaeological sites in addition to driving up through the Wadi Qelt (in the heart of the Judean Desert) en route to Jerusalem for an extra “surprise” stop. We left the hotel at 7:30 following another full breakfast. We read Psalm 18:1-2 as we began the day.
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!
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). Most in the group hiked back to the water falls at the end of the canyon. What an incredibly beautiful place! It was amazing to see so much water here in the desert!
Qumran
Continuing about 30 minutes north we arrived at Qumran. Most enjoyed lunch here before seeing this most important site, while others took the lunch time to hike to the the cliff area above the archaeological site and climb through the aqueduct. Here we could see Cave 6 and the beginning of the aqueduct system that brought rain/flood water into the site. Following our lunch/short hike, we began our visit of this most significant 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. We walked through the limited 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!
“Today was “Judean Desert Day!” We saw three archaeological sites that we amazing, as well as Ein Gedi and the Wadi Qelt. We also enjoyed two fun hikes as well, just the right blend in experiencing the land of the Bible.”
Jericho
Our last archaeological site of the day was Jericho. We arrived at Tel es-Sultan, or Old Testament Jericho. After we climbed the site. We looked east and could see the Jordan Valley the Mt. Nebo on the ridge on the horizon (Dt. 34). Elijah was taken to heaven in the area across the river (2 Kings 2). Jesus was baptized in the Jordan River at “Bethany Beyond the Jordan” (John 1). Looking south we could see the area of NT Jericho (where Zachaeus and Bartimeaus lived, and where Herod the Great died in 4 BC). We then turned our attention to the ancient OT site of Jericho. The archaeology of this ancient site of Jericho supports and confirms the Bible’s historicity. Besides seeing the oldest structure (a round tower) in Israel, on the southern end we saw the double retaining walls of this Canaanite city taken my Joshua (Joshua 6). A mud brick wall once stood on top of these stone walls. They came tumblin down.
Wadi Qelt
En route to Jerusalem, we took an very narrow and windy road (newly opened last year after 20 years) for an extra “surprise” stop overlooking the Wadi Qelt. Down below built in the cleft of the canyon is a Greek Orthodox monastery. Pastor Trinity played the part of the prophet Isaiah as we heard the powerful words, “Prepare the way for the Lord…” (from Isaiah 40). Also, Shlomo sang in Hebrew Psalm 23. The view and experiencing was breathtaking!
Jerusalem
We continued ascending to Jerusalem, passing Bethany and Bethpage on the way! We checked in to our hotels (a new one for BIMT, the newly-renovated Cassia, and the Ramada). We enjoyed a wonderful dinner, and an optional walk (for two of the groups) to the Western Wall to end the evening! We are looking forward to our first day in Jerusalem tomorrow!
Day 10 – Tuesday, March 28: Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Bethlehem, Shepherds’ Fields, Israel Museum
