Day 02 - Negev: Masada, Bedouin Hospitality, Camel Ride, Tel Arad, Dead Sea

All we can say is what a day! Most had a good night's rest. We had a wonderful worship and devotional time in the morning, learning about our Masada or great fortress, who is God. That we develop our Masada in times of peace, each day fortifying our relationship with intention.

We watched the sun rise over the Dead Sea. Mountains of Moab to east, Judean mountains to the west with the Rift Valley (4000 miles) between. Israelites call it Salt Sea. We learned the natural water supply is dying, shrinking 1 inch a month! Lots of industry from Dead Sea including medicinal needs, batteries, skin health, and laboratory supplies.

Then we were off to Masada, which was found and built up in 167 BC. The hike of greater than 1000 ft. was completed by 12 of us…whew! Again Masada means "mighty fortress". It was turned into a palace by Herod the great in 37 BC. He was deemed a vassal king or great general who brought prosperity, but was paranoid megalomaniac. He used Masada’s resources of salt, perfume, and asphalt and traded along the King's Highway. It is a total of 3 palaces all together. The area is dry - they call it “the desert of empty clouds”. Most water was from flash flooding from mountains into 16 cisterns.

We received great teaching from Ronen about Jewish culture. That they like to argue and discuss much, they appreciate good debate.

We reviewed the important sects of people including Pharisees who were full of commentary and interpretation and were likely the most close to Jesus. The Sadducees were corrupt, with black-and- white thinking and did not believe in the resurrection.The Zealots, they believed in God, the Torah and to “conquer the land”.

In 70 AD, the Romans destroyed the 2nd temple. Jews stayed at Masada as the Romans built a siege ramp. The Jews died instead of going back into slavery. Zionists Jews retook Masada - “it shall not fall again.” Masada was a total body experience, and we grew as a group.

Oh, then the camel rides! Camels are the ship of the desert. Camel milk is a super food. Owning camels still a sign of status. Super fun time of bonding, laughs!

We tried to  be shepherds to goats. Learning to be a shepherd, that when they know and trust, they walk with him, when he stops they stop.

Ezekiel 36 teaches that God allows his people to lead…but God is the ultimate leader. In the wilderness he is the cloud and shade and the heat and light in the night.

He leads us in “paths of righteousness” where no heat, no floods can harm, all this seen here in the wilderness... puts greater perspective to Psalm 23.

Bedouins are nomads that live in tents, move based on the season of the year. They keep the same culture as Abraham and Isaac as we learn in Genesis 18. We were offered hot sweet tea or at body temp and there is NO ICE! Bread was offered which was first food in Bible. The hospitality must be given to everyone, this is our homework from this place, to give this is our home.

Corresponding scriptures included:

Ezekiel 16:49  Hebrews 13:1-2

1 Peter 4:9, do it without complaining!

We then traveled back through the Midbar which is a desert with some rain, but land to farm. Back to the Dead Sea and then the FLOAT and mud bath!

This day was truly mind-blowing! We are taking it all in, seeing the context of the scriptures, slowly putting the pieces together. We are growing in our relationships with each other too. Each day building onto the next…

Needless to say it’s time for rest, and we are expectant for tomorrow and what God has to show us!

Layla Tov (Good night)