Day 04 - Calf Altar, Ancient High Place, Mt. Horeb

Last night we drove from sea level to a “modern Bedouin camp” in the Hismis where we noticed a big change in temperature. We had a hot meal and nice tents to sleep in. We enjoyed the sunrise in the most extraordinary desert on earth.

Rich L. Shared Psalm 105 with us which retells the story of the Exodus and prepared us to explore the wilderness of Saudi Arabia.  We travelled thru the Hismis, land of the red stone, where Moses most likely shepherded his herd.  

There are many different wildernesses named in the  bible and Rich L. pointed out the differences that were primarily due to the watershed in the area.  He also explained the changes caused by the flood, the magnificent judgement of God that resulted in such beauty.

We travelled the road of the ancient camel caravans and stopped at a way point called Ship Rock. There are inscriptions dating back to 7-8 AD on this unique ship shaped rock. 

We are in the land of the Midianites where the Bible tells the story of Moses meeting Jethro’s daughter, Zephora, at the well and spending 40 years shepherding.

Exodus 3 tells about the call of God on Moses to deliver His people. We stopped at a very impressive site that looked like it may have been an alter with calf petroglyphs and men with raised hands.  Could this be where the Israelites worshipped the golden calf?We look in the distance and see what could actually be the Mountain of God in the land of Horeb.  As we walk a path Moses may have walked we notice the broom bushes and recall the story of the burning bush.  Further up the mountain we came to an area where there is clear evidence of ancient culture. There are rock walls which may be corrals leading to the sacrificial alter where animal bones have been excavated. There are remnants of marble columns which would be consistent with Exodus 24. We had time to ponder and pray on this sacred mountain. 

Rich F. pointed to where Moses may have met God face to face and received the Ten Commandments. This was a covenant between Him and His people, a covenant that was broken before Moses could even deliver the message that the one true God wants to dwell with them.  But this God is a God of redemption. He rewrote the tablets and they were placed in the Ark of the Covenant where He dwelt among them. This ongoing redemption cycle culminated in the crucifixation.  Jesus became the ultimate sacrifice and the veil was ripped in two so He can live in me and you. We are His sacred dwelling place. 

We made our way to the western side of Jebel Lawz where Rich L excitedly pointed to a unique rock formation that appears to be a split rock. Could this actually be the place where Moses struck the rock which split and poured water out to quench the thirst of the complaining Israelites? Many walked up the mountain and you could feel their joy on the return hike.

I ask myself what am I complaining about and how is God providing? How can I walk and talk the text to glorify God?