From the Dead Sea to the Sea of Galilee

Day 3: Masada, Ein Gedi, and Qumran, From the Dead Sea to the Sea of Galilee…all in one day.

Masada: A long, winding path led us on a hike up to the top of Masada first thing this morning. A 20 acre isolated plateau (this time, not a tel!), remains of Herod’s fortified palace sit on top of the plateau. From every vantage point atop the plateau was dry, desert land. A Jewish commander of the Zealots, Flavius, was taken captive by Flavius was taken captive by the Romans, eventually becoming the historian of the area leaving record of many of the details of this location. We made the hike up, a tour atop, followed by a cable car ride down.

Ein Gedi: The location of Ein Gedi has significance in the story of Saul searching for David (I Samuel 23:29-chapter 24).  At the first waterfall area in Ein Gedi we paused to hear the story of the woman at the well. Not set in Ein Gedi, the connection was a reminder of our need for living water. Wes posed the question, “When you feel as dry as the desert, where do you look for refreshment?” After coming from the desert of the Masada area, it was a poignant reminder visually seeing the life in Ein Gedi with springs of water.

Qumran: Our final visit of the day was the location of the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls. A combination of Old Testament text, non-canonical text, interpretation of these scriptures, and rules of the local sect of Qumran were among the discovery in the clay pottery. The end of Qumran came in 70 AD as the Romans came through.