Day 03 - Wilderness: Ein Gedi, Qumran, Bethany Beyond the Jordan

Our first stop today was Ein Gedi national park. Many of us were surprised at just how beautiful the scenery was. Our team was able to do some awesome hiking through the mountains to several waterfalls. We read through 1 Samuel 23 and studied the “cat and mouse game” of David and Saul. It was so meaningful to be standing in the area where David found an oasis and protection from Saul in the middle of the Judean desert. In the Bible it says that David was on one side of the mountain and Saul was on the other. We also read through Psalm 54 and Romans 2. Our team discussed how David cut off a corner of Saul’s robe, sending the message that he was near and could have killed him, but he didn’t. Our team read through Psalm 139 and Isaiah 32, and discussed how sometimes God reveals Himself to us or provides for us in ways that we don’t see coming. We talked about the people in our lives that act as our Ein Gedi, our safe haven when things are difficult. We had a chance to walk through the streams and see so many incredible views. 

From Ein Gedi, we drove to Qumran. We stopped for lunch and were able to get some souvenirs. We then ventured out to hike up into the mountains and see the caves where the Dead Sea scrolls were found. The Kiyafa people lived in the hills of Ein Gedi and would come up to the mountains to study God’s word and be purified. The Dead Sea scrolls contained every book in the Old Testament, except for Esther, and the book of Isaiah was the only complete book that was discovered. Some believe that the book of Esther was discovered but could not be opened. To ensure that the scriptures were copied down accurately, one person would read them out loud while another looked on and confirmed they read it correctly, and another person would write down what they heard with a second person confirming they wrote it down correctly. If any mistakes were made on the scroll, it was discarded completely. 

As we climbed up the mountains, there were several spots where we had to be very careful and follow the markers. Marshall challenged us to be thinking “Who is following me?” And “What markers could I be leaving behind?”, when it comes to actions or values that others might follow. 

Some believe that the scrolls were taken from Jerusalem during the Jewish civil war and hidden up in the caves of Qumran to make sure they would be preserved and not destroyed. 

Our last stop was one of the most significant so far. We ended our day at the Jordan River, where some students were able to be baptized (with the permission of their parents), and several others rededicated their lives to Christ in the river. It is the first place we have visited where Jesus himself would have been, and where Jesus chose to be baptized by John the Baptist, out of obedience to God. This is where God responds to Jesus and says, “This is my son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). It was an incredible honor to witness such a meaningful moment in these students’ lives, and to hear them celebrate each other with such encouragement and joy. 

We have just arrived at our next hotel near the Sea of Galilee. We are so excited to follow in the footsteps of Jesus tomorrow! 

A few highlights from students:

Anna Africa- "Mayim-hayyîm" is the Hebrew word for “Living Water” and today we were able to witness this flowing living water that God provided for his people thousands of years ago. Hidden amidst the abyss of dry rock walls and desert terrain were the strongest and tallest flowing waterfalls in all of Israel. This beautiful sight is a living testimony that God provided for His people in ways that they never expected. Accordingly, we as God’s people are encouraged and called to be ‘Ein Gedi’s’ for our brothers and sisters around us. Not only did this land provide an image of God’s providence it was also an example of how we as His followers should live our lives. So what does this look like? I learned today that we are all individual living streams of water and this all come from Jesus. Part of preparing and clearing the way for the Lord is to strive to be an ‘Ein Gedi’ and to live out the word. To be a refreshing sense of ‘Shalom’ (peace) and light to those around us. So today I encourage you to ask yourself, who is the Ein Gedi of your life? Likewise, are you an Ein Gedi in someone else’s life? 

Sam de Castro - The use of vivid imagery related to the name of Christ throughout the Bible struck me as we were reading passages in places surrounded by beautifully vast and intricately designed landscapes. The Bible often describes Christ as a river, a well, a stream, a spring: all of which have the concept of water in common. As we got the chance to visit sites that featured water either hidden away or as a key part, we also got the chance to learn more about Israeli culture in relation to how the people viewed water itself. Because Israel is typically an arid area raining scarcely throughout the year, the Israelites treasured water and saved it in cisterns for later use. As a group, we talked about the difference between living water and water from the cisterns which was especially powerful to me as I watched water flow from the hidden, crystal clear creeks of Ein Gedi and the murky waters of the Jordan river rippling over branches. I found this interesting because with God being called various forms of water, it emphasizes the human need for Jesus Christ. the Israelites' thirst for water serves as an example for us to follow in the sense that we should thirst for our living water: Jesus. I find the pairing of physically seeing the waters move in unpredictable ways and reading about how God moves in unpredictable ways fascinating, as it opens doors for countless parallels to be made.