Israel-in-Depth with Rod VanSolkema

March 1-13, 2019

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Timna National Park

Today again began with a resounding reminder to live out who God says we are and what He has called us to do. Just as the Israelites were led by Moses through the desert, our Shepherd Rod led us for four hours through the rock-strewn Rift Valley and up to the top of an elevated crag known as Mount Timna. We were reminded of the story of the “wandering” (although one isn’t wandering if The Shepherd is leading) Israelites and God guiding them by both cloud and fire only to later run behind them, guarding the group from Pharaoh’s approaching army.

So often we seek God’s company to lead us out of our suffering, but Rod reminded us that God is always present during our suffering. While on the floor of the valley, Rod reset the well-known story of the Israelites complaining during their trip out of Egypt, into a masterpiece of God’s gracious hands at work throughout that time -- turning the potentially desperate season into one that resembled Eden. Have you seen God shape a dessert valley into an Eden?

Scholars state that there are 8-9 possible locations of what is known as the Bible’s Mount Sinai, Mount Horeb and/or Mountain of YHWH. We trekked up Mount Timna, ripe with copper and acacia trees, and questioned whether this place could be the ancient ground Moses and the Israelites famously crossed. Some joyfully scaled the highland while others anxiously gripped the rock, stretching their braveries with each notched step. Nonetheless, once we arrived at the top, the group sat around Rod, overlooking the vast colorful gradations below, during our study of Exodus 19. Rod taught the chapter’s recounting of God waiting up on the mountain top for His Bride (us) and then His recitation of His vows. Just like we humans exhibit, God’s expressed Love Language involves acts of obedience…to which Rod then pointed out the following chapter laying out The Laws. God calls us “priests” and expects us to be a witness to the world just like the priests’ role in the temples of that time. Are we doing that?

Slipping, sliding, gripping and stepping, we descended Mount Timna much quicker than we ascended it. Was it an easier feat or was the threat of rain a pressing motivator? Perhaps both. Our picnic lunch spread was, as always, anticipating our arrival. The welcoming canopy and pleasant conversation provided a contrasting relaxed atmosphere albeit not for long. The racing winds and darkening clouds quickly shut down that party!

Are we there yet? Nope! No one dare challenge the vigor of The Wadi Waters. On the way back to our hotel we were mesmerized by the rapid onset of a flashflood roaring past our bus into the not-too-distant, once dry trench. Quickly discovering the torrents covered our approaching path, our bus driver halted to a stop and out we all jumped. However, after an hour of impromptu laughter, photos, videos and commentaries, we retreated to the bus to wait out The Wadi…and wait out The Wadi…and wait out The Wadi -- we will never read Psalm 23 the same again. Thankfully, a local police officer escorted our bus through an alternate route and across another post-Wadi, debris-filled roadway to ensure we were on our way again. Blessed are the Peacemakers who live out their calling.

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