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Israel Study Tour with Grace Bible Church Ann Arbor
February 7-17, 2020
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Why is the Dead Sea Dead?
This morning we woke up on the shores of the Dead Sea. The Dead Sea is located at the lowest point on earth (1400 feet below sea level). After breakfast, Pastor Ty reminded us that the Dead Sea is dead because while rain water flows in, nothing can flow out. We were challenged to be careful to not allow the good news of Jesus to flow in to us and nothing to flow out to others.
Our first stop today was at Masada which in Hebrew means “stronghold.” Sitting on top of a high, isolated mountain, it served as military camp, a world trade center, and a palace for Herod the Great. About one-half of the group traveled to the top of Masada in a cable car while others took the snake trail which gains 980 ft in elevation or more than 10,000 steps of those wearing Apple watches. Once we were all together, we toured various areas of the 20-acre site which includes storerooms for goods to be traded around the world.
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).
From Masada, we were taken to a Bedouin camp for lunch and an introduction to the culture of this nomadic Arab people. While there we discussed hospitality and the importance of extending hospitality to build relationships and community. Then we watched a camel safety video in preparation for our camel riding session. Yes, nearly all of us got us onto grouchy camels in the rain and went for a 2-minute ride, which was plenty long for most.
We ended the day where we began, at the Dead Sea. Here we changed into swimsuits and bathrobes to trek across the street to float in the Dead Sea. But first, we were required to cover ourselves in Dead Sea mud which is rumored to make the old look young again. It didn’t work for some. Our dip in the Dead Sea was more like a polar plunge as both the water and air were unseasonably chilly. We then sprinted to the hot tubs at the hotel to bring our body temperatures back to normal.
To see where we are going tomorrow look at Joshua 15:62.
We are happy, safe and no lasting camel injuries!
Dead Sea Swim
Known in the Bible as the “Salt Sea” or the “Sea of the Arabah,” this inland body of water is appropriately named because its high mineral content allows nothing to live in its waters. Other post-biblical names for the Dead Sea include the “Sea of Sodom,” the “Sea of Lot,” the “Sea of Asphalt” and the “Stinking Sea.” In the Crusader period, it was sometimes called the “Devil’s Sea.” All of these names reflect something of the nature of this lake.
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