From the Heights of the Mountain to the Depths of the Sea

We arose early to attend a bible devotional session with Sean in a meeting room next to a synagogue all within the hotel bomb shelter. Following breakfast we are on the bus at 8:30 am on our way to the Dead Sea. On the way we drove past a quarry from Jesus time where stone dishes were made. Also off in the distance was an area where Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead. Next we drove through one of the Israeli settlements on the West Bank, which supports about 100,000 Israelis. Lior, our guide, gave a good explanation as to why the Palestinian Israeli reconciliation issues are so difficult. This settlement was in Zone C, one of three zones in the West Bank, where Israeli security and Israeli governance applies. Around this settlement are two other zones, Zone B where Israeli security and Palestinian governance applies, and Zone A where Palestinian security and Palestinian governance applies. 50% of the West Bank areas are in zones A and B and 50% in zone C. We learned a great deal about the complexity of issues in this region from both the Israeli and Palestinian perspectives. Both groups lay claim to the same land based upon their religious or biblical history. Security is a critical issue in light of Palestinian missiles fired from the Gaza Strip during our visit, which prompted Israeli retaliation.  Lior indicated that education and trust together with an end to the hatred are the key ingredients to a lasting reconciliation. This appears to be more important at the people to people level than at the political level, although strong leadership is necessary on both sides to facilitate the reconciliation. Lior opined that third parties forcing negotiations will not work. We all pray for resolution to the conflict and reconciliation between the Israeli and Palestinian people.

            

We stopped at En Gedi after passing through the West Bank checkpoint. En Gedi is a lush oasis with Acacia trees and a waterfall that flows from the mountain areas. We were intrigued by the Ibex, wild goats which can climb trees to get away from their predators. En Gedi is the place where David spared Saul after he cut off a corner of his cloak and was “stricken to the heart”, I Samuel 24:1-13.

            

We then headed to Masada, an enormous fortress and palace built by King Herod in 1^st century BC on a 1,400 foot plateau as a refuge from his enemies. As we rode the cable car up the cliffs to the entrance, we thought about how complex it was to build and how many slaves were needed to bring up the supplies for this gigantic structure. Once at the entrance, we were only at sea level with dramatic views of the Dead Sea.  Elaborate structures were built on the 1,000 square foot plateau. El’azar was the leader of the zealot group, which began the Jewish Revolt in 66 AD, and took Masada from the Romans.  A few years later Roman legions came to recover control of the lands. The zealot group was the last of the Jewish resistance who took refuge at Masada. In recognition of the zealot group’s impending annihilation by the Roman legions about to attack, the zealot group drew lots to decide which men would kill the others to keep their families from being murdered or enslaved.  As Christians, we are challenged to ask what we can learn from the people of Masada.

            

Leaving Masada, we went to the Dead Sea for a swim, which was really floating on our backs to avoid heavily salted water on our faces. Since John and Kay Norvell, our professional photographers, covered themselves with therapeutic mud and went swimming, photos were courtesy of Ed Tennent.

            

Our last stop was at the Ahava skin care factory where we sampled the products and shopped.

Bob Stow, Sherry and Gregg Johnson