What Sets You Free

While we were at Wadi Qelt this afternoon, we had the blessing of seeing a shepherd with his flock. The shepherd was able to blow his flute and make the smallest calls, but was still heard and known by his sheep. They follow him and trust him through all seasons, through the wet and dry. Finally seeing this real life representation truly brings to life Psalm 23. When I tend to think of green pastures and still water, I picture the lake and park I grew up next to at home. Luscious green fields, comfortable to lay in, with tons of water to drink whenever you desire, but not in the desert. Ben reminded us again that the wilderness provides us with “just enough” of what we need to get by. We had to search around our feet and find the smallest patches of “grass” at our feet that would have eventually provided food for the sheep. This “grass” was nothing that I would ever consider laying down in, nor would any part of my body fit in this small patch of “grass” – let’s be honest, I can’t even guarantee it was green, but it is nourishment. It is when the sheep listen to the shepherds and follow their calling, they will be led straight to these small patches of grass and will be provided with just what they need to get through the dry season. When we trust in our Good Shepherd, The Good Shepherd, He will always provide. He will leave us needing nothing more. He will guide us through the deserts of our lives and give us just enough green pastures and still waters to stay nourished until the rains return and the mountain is green again.
- Jenny Bee

This morning in the Qumran, we learned about the 11 caves that the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in as we looked out at excavated Cave #4. Discovered in 1947, these caves contained biblical scripts of the Essenes, one of which had the entire book of Isaiah, telling of the coming messiah. This section of the land isn’t open to tourism, unless you’re in a small window of opportunity – like we were today with our friend Joel. He knew the location of where the first Scrolls were located, and we swiftly hiked up to Cave #1. These preserved Scrolls were written 150 years before the time of Jesus and solidify the historical accuracy of the Bible as a primary source. For example, King David prophesied about the messiah saying: “They pierced my hands and feet” (Ps 22:16). This was a bizarre prophecy in the 10th century because this was centuries before crucifixion was invented. These prophesies in the Old Testament cannot be fake or come from men alone. No other religion can say their prophecies are fulfilled.

This afternoon we visited Jericho - the biggest challenge in the Old Testament to critics of the Bible. The most important evidence buried within the earth of this site is without doubt the red-rock wall that once surrounded the city. As we all know, this was the very wall that came tumbling down. The ancient texts that tell of the wall falling were found in the Dead Sea Scrolls. We saw the collapsed wall and walked around the city. The layers of earth at this sight give evidence of the city being conquered, burned and rebuilt. Joel’s passion for the Truth of Jericho to be known inspired us all. He noted that people keep criticizing the Bible because “it can take it.” Now that we all have this knowledge, we must… “Go tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere!” :)

– Alivia Ebenhoeh