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Israel Study Tour - Lake Almanor Community Church
November 10-21, 2017
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Hidden for thousands of years
Ein Gedi - 1 Samuel 23:29 – 24
We started with a visit to the area where King Saul and his three thousand soldiers pursued David in front of the Wildgoats’ Rocks. And sure enough, the wild goat (ibex) was there. We learned about other wildlife in the area- the hyrax or rock badger- and that in David’s time there were bears and lions in the area. We saw the many caves that David had as hiding places which resulted in his opportunity to slay the King of Israel. Due to David’s faith in God, he decided to spare the king and demonstrate his loyalty to both the king and to his God. The clear cascading waterfalls from the spring created a stark contrast to the surrounding desert terrain as well as a vivid example of living waters.
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
Next we headed to the ruins where the Dead Sea Scrolls were left by the Essenes and ultimately discovered in 1947 by a group of Bedouins throwing rocks into caves. The find occurred just in time to quell the doubters who questioned the authenticity of the Bible. One of the unsolved mysteries of the location, which appears to have supported numerous people for over 200 years, was that it was abandoned and the inhabitants’ whereabouts are unknown. We learned that all the scrolls that were found, except one, have been returned and are currently housed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
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.
Jordan River
While visiting the Jordan River we experienced the sad truth that all things earthly change with time. Due to centuries of water reclamation, dams, and irrigation, the river is certainly not the same as in biblical times, but it’s still an important symbol of God’s message to his people. With each return of the Jewish nation back to the Promised Land, they crossed into the river to end an old life and begin anew. The same way Jesus did as he prepared for his sacrifice for us.
Reflections of the Day
God does things in his own time and his own way. David was to be the next king of Israel, but it wasn’t yet his appointed time, so he waited to follow God’s plan. The Dead Sea Scrolls were hidden for thousands of years to be found when they were needed. Even when people don’t follow God’s plan, he doesn’t forget them, but gives them other opportunities. Each time we need to repent and start his plan anew.
Written by Gregg & Leslie Scott
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