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Israel Study Tour - Rod VanSolkema
June 22 - July 4, 2014
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Masada
A great castle built by a mad King. King Herod the great, the same king who murdered all the male children from birth to age 2, hoping to kill the Lord Jesus. As we climbed the steps of Masada, we showed that we are a community working together to serve and praise our Lord. We looked to the shepherd our Lord for strength to reach the top. We helped those in need of help, encouraged each other, and pressed on. Rod taught us to look to the Lord for our strength as David looked to God for his strength. “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want…” The day was long and strenuous but awesome. Libby gave us great details in the castle. She gave us history of the people of Israel and their struggle with Herod. He was a mastermind who became crazy, and paranoid. We saw all that he built but still know that our God is bigger, and our God is greater. As we left Masada, we drove by a shepherd and his flock. We got out of the bus to watch him guide his sheep. Rod challenged us to choose what we will be, a sheep who always follows the shepherd, or a goat who strays off the path? Rod challenged us to choose the path of the sheep… Every day to walk the walk of the sheep, who follows our Lord wherever He may lead us.
Masada
The summit of Masada sits 190 feet (59 m) above sea level and about 1,500 feet (470 m) above the level of the Dead Sea. The mountain itself is 1950 feet (610 m) long, 650 feet (200 m) wide, 4,250 feet (1330 m) in circumference, and encompasses 23 acres. The “Snake Path” climbs 900 feet (280 m) in elevation. From the west, the difference in height is 225 feet (70 m).
The last stop we made was to Ben Gurian park. The park was more amazing than anything we could have imagined. We were able to see God’s handiwork in the architecture of the canyon. Several areas were shaded and we were blessed to sit in the shade while watching the deer run above on the cliffs. Rod had all of us find a quiet spot to sit and to meet with the Lord. He encouraged us to read Deuteronomy chapters 6 and 8. The time was well spent and greatly needed after the grueling hike up Masada. We then finished by climbing a zillion stairs straight up the cliff. Many dug very deep to make it up the very high cliff, calling on the Lord for help and strength. When we finally made it up to the top, we were able to share some stories of desert times when we found ourselves in the midst of a desert. The time was wonderful and greatly needed.
As we traveled to our hotel, we made one last stop to the Wilderness of Zin canyon. The site was unbelievable and awe inspiring. Libby told an “Add Lib” about God’s word tasting as sweet as Honey. We were able to reflect on the day, and marvel in God’s great beauty.
May we run the race to the fullness that the Lord has for us….When He returns may He say to us, WELCOME HOME MY GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS.
Ein Avdat
The Nahal Zin was the southern border of the land of Canaan that was promised to the Israelites. Numbers 34:3-4 (KJV) “Then your south quarter shall be from the wilderness of Zin along by the coast of Edom, and your south border shall be the outmost coast of the salt sea eastward: And your border shall turn from the south to the ascent of Akrabbim, and pass on to Zin: and the going forth thereof shall be from the south to Kadeshbarnea, and shall go on to Hazaraddar, and pass on to Azmon.”
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