We began our morning floating in the Dead Sea (which Jim enjoyed more than Lois) and then experiencing the salt water and fresh water pools, Jacuzzis and spa at the hotel, which we both totally enjoyed. So relaxing! It was nice to have a later departure, giving us time to enjoy these nice amenities at our beautiful Dead Sea Hotel. As the bus drove headed out we sang “Praise the Name of Jesus” and “Blessed Be the Name of the Lord.”
A cable car took us to the top of Masada where a fortress had been built by King Herod from 37-31 BC. We were thankful to not walk to the top today, since it was very hot. In AD 66 Jewish zealots fled there and overcame a Roman garrison. In AD 70 the Romans killed a million plus Jews who were revolting in the Jerusalem area and destroyed the temple. Romans then sent 10,000 troops to overcome the 1000 Jews who had fled to Masada. When the Romans broke through the defenses the Jews decided to kill themselves rather than surrender.
EnGedi was our next stop. We walked along a trail and saw a few caves. David hid in these caves and it was one of these caves that David cut off a piece of King Saul’s robe. (1 Samuel 24) We saw a beautiful waterfall, the only place in Judah desert with water. Today the people in the kibbutzes take this water, bottle it and sell it as mineral water. We were again being reminded of how key water is to life in Israel. People followed water sources, and so most of Jesus’ ministry took place near some body of water. We saw an ibex (small deer) and hyrax (they call it their type of rabbit).
Late lunch was served at Abraham’s tent. “Eliezer of Damascus” (Genesis 15) told the story of Abraham, and then our group caravanned down the hill on camel or foot to Abraham’s tent where we sat on cushions at low tables to share a meal of breads, vegetables, rice, meat balls, chicken, dates and apricots. Turkish coffee was the final offering for the meal.
Leaving Abraham’s tent we headed toward Jerusalem. As we entered the city, we listened to the song “The Holy City” being played on the bus. What a moment to overlook the city of Jerusalem as we hear the words “Jerusalem! Jerusalem! Lift up your gates and sing, Hosanna in the highest! Hosanna to your King!”
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