more

 

The next two days I had off! So I headed south with the dig group for a field trip to Masada, the Dead Sea, Ein Gedi, and Qumran.  Most of my pictures are on my other camera sorry. So this post is a bit out of order but I guess only I know the difference! 

Masada is an incredible desert fortress built by Herod as a safe escape from plots against him in Judea. In his extravegence, Herod built a palace atop a massive hill in the Judean Desert outfitted with every amenity and Roman style architecture. One of the dig staff, Robin, led a really informative tour. This was also the site of the last stand of the Jewish Revolt in 70 AD. The Roman army defeated the Jews at Masada when the Zealots either massacred themselves or were killed by the Romans. History is unclear on this point. *A great historical fiction book about this event is called the Dovekeepers by Alice Hoffman.

 

A few friends and I stayed at the Citadel Hostel in the Christian Quarter that night, with views of the Holy Sepulcher and the Mount of Olives. Amazing. As we walked through the city after dark on this Shabbat evening, we heard the shouts, music, and dancing from the Jewish Quarter, where the Jews were celebrating. We walked over to the Wailing Wall and just sat and watched. Dancing, singing, weeping, passionate praying filled the area. THIS spot, the site that reminds the world of turbulent Jewish history—the blood, sweat, and tears that have fallen on this Wall—the continued battles for land here in Israel. Tension that was evidenced this night by gunshots in the background. But the perseverance of this people to come, praying to their bridegroom for deliverance. May their eyes be opened to the True Hope.

Morning brought an early breakfast of nuts, fruit, fresh pastries, and warm bread that fueled us for a walk through the Old City to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, containing Golgatha and Christ’s Tomb, the supposed death and burial area. For me, most of the impact of seeing these sights has taken place later as I process what I saw and heard. I pray that what I’ve seen, heard, and experienced will continue t be fresh as I read my Bible with new eyes and experience Jesus in a new way.

 

A swim in the Dead Sea followed Masada. It was the strangest feeling ever—floating despite best efforts not to. It also burned and was very hot. Not refreshing at all. A couple guys and I tried to swim out to a “bouy” in the middle of the Sea and were yelled at over the loudspeaker by the Israeli lifeguard. Apparently the bouy was the border to Jordan. Whoops.

Ein Gedi Park contains some beautiful waterfalls that we really enjoyed swimming in, or standing under, it was pretty shallow. This is the area where David hid from Saul!

Qumran was a quick stop as we were there near closing, but we were able to see the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found.No pictures...yet.