Day 03 - Al Durra Border Crossing, Jethro Caves, Tayyib Al Ism, Moses Spring

Looking out at the Red Sea and feeling the sea breeze from my balcony this morning at Grand Tala Bay Resort was surreal. While standing there in Jordan we could see Israel, Egypt and Saudi Arabia. It may seem odd but what overcame me was peace, a peace that can only come from God. I felt that God was smiling on us all day!   

After another amazing breakfast buffet we boarded the bus where Rich L. shared the Exodus 15 song and started our day with prayer.

We are the first GTI tour group to cross over into Saudi Arabia! Our Jordanian guide walked us through the process at the Durra border. It took three hours from the departure from Jordan and entry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We met our new Saudi guides, got gas for $1.50 a gallon, and drove down the highway with a view of the Red Sea on the right and the desert in the left.  

Rich L. showed us maps and explained the different theories of the Red Sea crossing last evening and read passages from Numbers 33. The theory we are exploring is that the Israelites crossed over the Red Sea from Nuweiba beach in Egypt as that appears to be the smoothest passageway. We stood on the land where the Israelites entry point into Arabia likely was and saw their departure site where God parted the Red Sea.

I tried to soak it all in….I was standing in one of the most important places noted in the biblical story, the miraculous Israelite crossing of the Red Sea. We followed the way of the Israelites down the broad wadi. It is a wide open canyon with a wall of rock thought to be Wilderness of Shur. The presence of numerous acacia trees in this area is another clue that this is actually the place as the Ark of the Covenant was made of acacia wood.  We were traveling on a modern road following the 3500 year old ancient route.  

We arrived in al-Bad'a , formerly known as Midian where we explored Jethro’s caves (Jethro was Moses' father-in-law). This location makes perfect biblical sense when considering the whole Exodus story and the possible site of Mt. Sinai just over the mountain range.  

I had the time of my life riding in a jeep through the desert to the area felt to be the oasis of 12 wells and 70 palm trees (Elim, mentioned in Exodus 15:27). This is another clue that this truly is the area where Moses led the Israelites.   

We have seen camels wondering in the desert and had such fun feeding them “camel crackers”. We saw all colors and sizes, old and young, and delighted ourselves with camelflouge jokes! 

We are nearing our camp site after a full and blessed day. I feel the joy of the Lord and want to dance and sing like Miriam (Exodus 15)! 

Deanna Dukes