From Masada to the Dead Sea

We woke to an incredible display of pink and blue over the Dead Sea as the sun rose on our second day here. Enjoy some highlights of what we did today!

Masada- High up in the Judah Mountains, overlooking the Dead Sea, is the strong hold Masada. Built by Herod the Great as essentially an oversized storage unit for his kingdoms goods, this sight holds a large significance to the Jewish people. Like I said, it lies on top of the mountain, so we had quite a hike ahead of us (though there was a cable car to the top, but where's the fun in that?). After 45 minutes of climbing, we reached the stronghold! We wandered the ruins of this once great place, and discussed Herod and the significance of the places he built. We took the cable car down.

Ein Gedi- A national park with great biblical history! A beautiful oasis in the Negev Desert, Ein Gedi has a natural spring running through it, and mountains surrounding it. Those mountains house hundreds of caves, including one where David hid from Saul, and is where David later cut Saul's robe. Truly stunning to see.

Qumran- Most people of today have heard of the Dead Sea scrolls, but very few know that the scrolls were discovered here, in Qumran. In the first century, a group of men, the Essences, lived there to practice their messianic beliefs away from the politics of the church (you could call them "monks" almost). This is where they transcribed the Dead Sea Scrolls, and hid them in the caves to protect them from the Romans. It was pretty much a desert with dozens of ruins all around, showing where these people had lived.

Dead Sea- We came, we floated, we loved it! They are not kidding when they say you'll float, and they're not kidding when they say it'll burn your eyes (I learned first hand).

We are now in our hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee! Tomorrow will be focused on Jesus' ministry. Goodnight from Israel!