Day 5 -| Fortress, Word, & Living Water

Today was another full day of walking the Land with Bible in hand.

We began by ascending Masada. Even its name tells a story. Metsudah, in Hebrew, means fortress. Likely, first used by the Hasmoneans in the second century BC, Masada was later transformed into an architectural marvel by Herod the Great.

A three-tiered palace clings to the northern cliff. Fourteen massive cisterns could hold over 140,000 cubic feet of water, enough to sustain a thousand men for months, even years. Engineering excellence. Strategic brilliance. Human strength at its peak.

Standing there, Psalm 18 came alive as David declares, “The LORD is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer.” God Himself is the metsudah. The true refuge. The One who protects, saves, and sustains those who trust Him.

From Masada, we walked the trails of En Gedi. We reflected on the practice of meditating on Scripture, David’s refuge in the caves, and the miracle of living water flowing in the desert. Water that restores strength and refreshes weary souls. Water, ultimately, pointing us to Living Water Himself.

From En Gedi, we made our way north to one of the most significant archaeological discoveries related to the authority and trustworthiness of Scripture: Qumran.

Here, the Qumran community preserved over 900 manuscripts from some eleven caves. Portions of every book of the Hebrew Scriptures were safeguarded, with exception of Esther. The nearly complete Isaiah Scroll stands as a powerful witness to the faithful transmission of the biblical text across centuries.

The message was unmistakable. The Scriptures have been preserved. The Bible is trustworthy.

The question shifts from accuracy to engagement. How do we shape communities that are formed by the Word? How do we not merely read the text, but allow it to read us?

We ended the day arriving at the Sea of Galilee, where we will spend the next three days.

Grateful for a God who can be trusted and loved with all our heart, all our mind, and all our strength.

Tomorrow, the Galilee awaits.

Jerrell