Israel In Depth - Rocky Peak

April 26 - May 7, 2015

Subscription options are no longer available for this tour.

Help support our friends in Israel in their time of need.

A stronghold and a refuge

We started our morning heading out from the Dead Sea Hotel to a place nearby called Masada. Prior to our pre-study material, I had no idea about this place. Masada was now on my radar as a must see place even though it is more of a Roman Empire historical site. As a boy I loved building forts and this is the fort of all forts! Built high on the top of an isolated mountain top with sheer walls all the way around. As a group we hiked the snake path and stairs to the top.

At the top, we saw what Herod the Great built for himself. We saw a palace, a stronghold and a view that was spectacular over the desert and the Dead Sea. Here’s what I learned on top of Masada: God used the power and wealth of the Roman Empire to pave the routes and open up trade with cities around the world that would one day be the same paths that would help spread the Gospel. All the Jews try and visit Masada at some point due to the wars and battles with the Romans to control it. I’m not a history fan, but the story of how the Romans finally broke thru the walls of the Hebrew Zealots is wild, and I would encourage anyone to look it up or come visit Masada! This is the last place the Jewish people had independence prior to becoming a nation again in 1948.

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).

Learn More

Next we headed to Ein Gedi – Pastor Mike’s favorite place, he says this every place we go, but I think it’s his favorite because he gets to break out his Sunday shoes (his sandals). Ein Gedi is a beautiful canyon carved by waterfalls and filled with shade and animals. As the future King of Israel, David found refuge in this area as he hid from Saul who wanted to kill him. This is what I came to Israel for! To bring the Sunday school stories of David, Jonathan and Saul to life. This is where Pastor Mike brought some insight. David was on the run for up to 15 years. He must have been worn out and discouraged being beat down by the desert land and sun. God sent Jonathan to strengthen David in the desert to help him find strength in God. We all need a “Jonathan” in our life…do you have one? If you do, you are truly blessed.

Our last stop was the Quram Caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. God blessed Israel by the finding of these scrolls in 1947, one year before the UN resolution to acknowledge Israel as a nation in 1948. We were running a little short on time so we each could choose to either visit the gift shop or explore the caves. Several of us split like dogs being released in a dog park and had fun exploring the Qumran Caves.

Qumran

10 miles south of Jericho, Qumran was on a “dead-end street” and provided a perfect location for the isolationist sect of the Essenes to live.

The site was excavated by Catholic priest Roland deVaux from 1953-56. More recent excavations of the site have taken place under the direction of Hanan Eshel.

Learn More

I am so happy that I finally have made it to Israel after talking about it for 10 years. My purpose is to know God more and more and become more acquainted with my Creator. I also can’t believe I am standing in the land of some of my biblical heroes!

Shalom!

Brian Pohl

Ein Gedi

En Gedi is the largest oasis along the western shore of the Dead Sea. The springs here have allowed nearly continuous inhabitation of the site since the Chalcolithic period. The area was allotted to the tribe of Judah, and was famous in the time of Solomon (Josh 15:62). Today the Israeli kibbutz of En Gedi sits along the southern bank of the Nahal Arugot.

Learn More

Upcoming Signature Tours

With 30 years of experience creating trips for other ministries, we've prepared our own signature study tours featuring some of our favorite itineraries and compelling teachers! If you've never been on a GTI Study Tour, take a moment to learn more about what you can expect.

GTI Signature Germany Study Tour
Sep 11-19, 2024
Learn More

Turkey / Greece Signature Study Tour
Sep 15-25, 2024
Learn More

Egypt / Jordan Signature Study Tour
Mar 5-17, 2025
Learn More