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Israel Study Tour with Campus Ministry at GVSU
May 5-19, 2016
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Mayim Chayim (Living Water)
Day two of exploring Israel was physically grueling for the whole group, but so worth every minute of it! We began our morning hiking Wadi Zohar, in the Judean wilderness. During the hike, we focused on how the Israelites were tested by God in the desert for 40 years. The number 40 denotes change. Change needed to happen in God’s people. God tested them to not only humble his people, but learn about what was in their hearts. The Israelites had nothing, yet lacked nothing because God always provides just enough. In the desert, it is just you and God. God wants our hearts, and he wants to know us personally.
Our second hike involved climbing 700 steps and 1,000 feet up Mt. Masada. At the top, we explored the remains of a palace built by King Herod during the Herodian Period. Here, we learned about The Great Revolt. A group of 1,000 “rebels” took over the palace and made it their home to flee from the Roman Empire. When the rebels knew they going to be taken captive by the Romans, they had the choice of death or slavery. All but one woman and her 5 children committed suicide. The woman hid with her children in a cistern and this is how we know today what happened on Mt. Masada during The Great Revolt.
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).
Our last stop of the day was to En Gedi, where David came to hide from Saul in 1 Samuel. En Gedi is an oasis in the middle of the desert. We studied John 4, where Jesus talks with a Samaritan Woman. Through this story, we discovered how Jesus is Mayim Chayim, meaning Living Water. Jesus cleanses and restores us, because he is the Living Water. After a long day of hiking in the desert, we were given the gift to enjoy this living water through swimming in a waterfall at En Gedi. It was an incredible end to the day!
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.
Personally, hiking through the desert was physically and emotionally tiring. I am so thankful for this experience because it put into perspective the Israelites journey through the desert for 40 years! I could not imagine what they experienced, but through it all God always provided. In life, there are mountain top experiences (great times), mundane experiences (in everyday life), and valleys (low points). Just as God provided enough for the Israelites for 40 years in the desert, through every point in our life, God provides just enough for us. He wants to know and have a relationship with us, and He offers this through His son Jesus, the Living Water.
-Alyssa Resconich
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