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Israel Study Tour with Bridges for Peace, Central Life Church, Lighthouse Christian Church, Village Bible Church
June 18-29, 2017
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Living water
Today we trekked through the Nahal David at Ein Gedi, learning about David's interactions with King Saul at the very location. We even got to see hyraxes and ibexes, mentioned in the text! Pastor Ron taught us about living water and asked us if we're all in . . . right before he stepped under a waterfall!
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.
Next we explored Qumran, near where all the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. From Randy and Ronen we learned about the region, the people, and the questions that still remain. What a blessing to see the ancient and the modern come together so clearly!
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.
After lunch we headed up to Jerusalem. We were able to experience the Old City by going to the Western Wall, as well as exploring the tunnels along the Wall. We met our friend Herod again, and learned all about the Temple Mount. We were amazed by the sheer magnitude of the rocks and the project undertaken by people without modern tools.
We're looking forward to a full day in Jerusalem tomorrow!
Rabbinic Tunnels
The tour of the western wall tunnels is one of the most popular tourist sites in Jerusalem. These underground tunnels connect the western wall prayer area to the north-west side of the temple mount, passing along the side of the temple mount and under the present day houses in the Old City. Along its path are remains from the second temple period, as well as structures from later periods.
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