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Israel Study Tour
March 17-29, 2019
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Trust in The Good Shepherd
Morning Prayer
We started our day at the edge of the Dead Sea with Pastor Mike Reading from Joshua and discussing trust and obedience to our Lord.
Hike In The Desert
After a short hike, we stopped at the Wadi Lookout in the Midbar (wilderness); part of the Rift Valley and the border of the Negev and Judaen Deserts. Yehuda asked us not to turn over rocks as these conceal both scorpions and venomous snakes.
As Pastor Mike was reading the 23rd Psalm, he began by asking us to describe a shepherd: leading, protecting, guiding, and caring for the flock as our Lord does for His flock. As if on que, pointing, Pastor Mike said “My prayers for a shepherd illustration have been answered”. On the hill right behind us, came a shepherd with her donkey leading a flock of goats. What an amazing way to finish the conversation about trusting in the Good Shepherd.
Pastor Mike went on to talk about Moses 40 years in the Midbar where God was telling Moses to lead his people. Rhonda, in the background, said quietly to husband Mike while looking at her feet, “What is that?” to which Mike replied, “You might want to step back”. “Yehuda!!!!!”
Picking up a small snake, “This is what I was telling you about. And this is one of the most venomous”. After a lot of excitement and commotion, it gave Pastor Mike the opportunity to talk about serpents getting us off track in our lives and what we have to do
to get back on track. We ended that conversation talking about trust in our LorD.
Ein Gedi
Hiking up to the waterfall we stopped to
talk about Psalm 104:18 and 1 Samuel:24 referencing David’s confrontation with Saul and David’s trust in the Lord.
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.
Qumran
After another drive along the Dead Sea, we came to Qumran, the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. While touring the site and viewing the caves, Yahuda explained that now parts of every book in the Bible have been found. These finds authenticate scripture, including parts of the book of Esther which was confirmed 8 months ago. Excavating continues.
We left Israel to travel thru Palestinian city, Jericho on the way to our hotel and again crossed the border to Israel after the armed guards passed through the buss.
Yes, Lord we trust in You and pray to increase our trust day by day!
Written by Mark and Tibbie
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.
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