From the Dead Sea to Jerusalem...

As we left the Dead Sea this morning, we stopped again at En Gedi to visit one of the waterfalls which provides water for this area. From 1 Samuel 24:1-4 - Now when Saul returned from pursuing the Philistines, he was told, saying, "Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi." Then Saul took three thousand chosen men from all Israel and went to seek David and his men in front of the Rocks of the Wild Goats. He came to the sheepfolds on the way, where there was a cave; and Saul went in to relieve himself. Now David and his men were sitting in the inner recesses of the cave. The men of David said to him, "Behold, this is the day of which the LORD said to you, 'Behold; I am about to give your enemy into your hand, and you shall do to him as it seems good to you.'" Then David arose and cut off the edge of Saul's robe secretly.

We then drove to Masada where the Jewish zealots made their last stand against Rome during the 68-72 AD revolt. Masada, which means fortress, was built by Herod the great to be used as a refuge should he get in trouble (he was VERY paranoid). He had it stocked with grain, dried meat, and water so he could stay for years at a time. When the Roman soldiers, using Israel slaves, built a mountain-sized ramp up the side of this fortress and broke through the walls, the 906 Jewish holdouts committed suicide, rather than becoming Roman slaves.

From there we went to a place called “Genesis Land”, or Abraham’s Tent. We were met by costumed men and were transported back in time 3800 years and feasted on an old Jewish meal. Oh yeah, transport from the bus through time to meet Abraham, was via camel!

Tomorrow morning we are scheduled to go to Gethsemene, the Mount of Olives, the Israel museum and Bethlehem. Since Bethlehem is under Palestinian control, we must leave our bus, driver and guide, and be transported via a Palestinian bus, driver, and guide. We have been told they will be Arab Christians, but a special prayer for safety might be appropriate! Thanks!