A Bedouin Community

Night four of our stay in Israel was in a Bedouin community. We arrived in the evening to the cluster of buildings and very large tents in the midst of a vast and empty desert. I am not sure what I was expecting, but I imagine my picture had something to do with Hollywood’s version of life in the desert, complete with large billowing tents filled with ornate floor cushions in jewel toned fabrics of satin and velvet. “Parked” outside these retreats were large camels fitted with fancy basket saddles complete with colorful beaded harnesses. Oh, Hollywood, how you lead us astray!

We put our overnight bags in our tent. It was very large and the floor was covered with mats. There were long sleeping mats piled up at one end, and a strand of lights overhead. This was our home for the night and we split into two groups…guys and gals, and set up our camp quickly as we had a date with the camels!

The camels were lined up and ready for us, tethered together. We were two to a camel and were given specific instructions on how to approach, mount, etc. Do I need to say that the saddles were not the fancy basket types, but just a large leather saddle. Albeit a controlled situation on a path that was well worn, this was such an amazing experience. To be in the desert, in Israel, at sunset, on a camel…enough said. I will cherish the memory!

Back at camp we had dinner. It was casual, on floor cushions, sharing roasted chickens with rice and potatoes, pita bread and hummus. Excellent food once again, and after dinner we listened to stories of life in a Bedouin community. After dinner we sat around the campfire and Eric talked about Abraham’s covenant with God and how Jesus fulfilled that covenant and started a new one with us.

Lights out at 10:45 in a Bedouin tent is fascinating. I was prepared to be a little creeped out by this part of our stay, but I really enjoyed it. When I woke up at various times I would lay and listen to the wind stirring the tent. I thanked God for the blessing of being here and spending this evening in a different life. OUR God is good. He has so much to teach us. We need only to open our eyes and our ears and our hearts. Hollywood, you can keep your version of the desert…this one is much better!

It was hot and dry, but God kept everyone healthy and safe. Thanks for your prayers!

Father Abraham had many sons, and many sons had Father Abraham. God called Abraham to be the Father of the Jewish people. Abraham was a Bedouin or a nomadic people. In the morning we left the Bedouin camp where we slept as a group in a large tent separated by men and women. The overnight experience gave us a better understanding of their community. The patriarch of a Bedouin tribe would take care of everyone in their tribe. They would use all their resources to bring those that were taken out of their tribe and try to bring them back to the family. Additionally, hospitality is important to the Bedouin because they will welcome strangers into their household who need water, food, and shelter to survive in the desert weather (Genesis 18). Eric’s application question to us here was, “How much are we welcoming others to bring them into the house of God?”

God used the desert as a training ground for the Israelites, and He provided just enough for them to survive. Yet they still disobeyed. We hiked up one of the most difficult trails in over 100°F weather, and everyone who started hiking made it through! To give you a mental picture of the difficulty level, the water in our water bottles felt hot when we drank them, there was some light rock climbing involved on the hike, and the trail was filled with gravel and rocks. This landscape was similar to what Moses had to climb multiple times to obtain God’s commandments and also what the Israelites had to endure in slavery under the Egyptians. I can understand the discomfort that the Israelites experienced from our hike in Timna, but God always provided “just enough” for them whether it was water, food, shade, etc. However, the bible tells us how the story goes, and the Israelites complained and in their misery performed idol worship with a golden calf instead of trusting God to lead them out of the desert. A few more application points were to: 1. treat difficult times in life as God’s training or growing of our faith rather than looking to other idols for support and 2. be a part of a Christian community to help you on your walk. We couldn’t have all finished the hike unless we were helping each other as a group! Thanks also to our facilitator Ian for waiting for the entire group.

God dwells with the Israelites in the Tabernacle. There’s a replica model of the tabernacle near Timna National Park. The group got a chance to examine the intricacies of the tabernacle. The veil was very thick! Because of the fall at the beginning of creation, people no longer had perfect community with God. He asked the Israelites to make a dwelling place for Him, with very detailed instructions so that He could be with them in the desert. The application here was, “Do we make space for God in our lives?”

Jordan Border Crossing. Everyone had their passports and was able to cross the border on to Petra. We’ve settled into a hotel and will explore this area where the Israelites passed on their way out of Egypt more over the next couple of days!

Everyone is having a great time fellowshipping and experiencing these things together.

Praise God for these experiences and lessons,

Annie & Kevin, #Acacia14