Editor’s note: The following blog entry was written by my friend, colleague and roommate on the tour, Pastor Daniel Saugh. This is his brief recollection of Day 6 events…
Day 6 – Monday, February 20th
Today’s activities gave us a glimpse of a part of modern-day history of Israel. Before leaving for our daily trip, we had a dynamic presentation from one, Pastor Julio Mendez, who is the Secretary-Treasurer, among other things, for the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Israel. He gave us a bit of the background of the work there, the challenges in sharing the message of Jesus Christ to Israel’s diverse population, and the 21 houses of worship across that nation which open their doors on a weekly basis. Pastor Mendez also, shared with us how the church across the world could support their many efforts for success. Finally, he shared with us how God, years ago, placed a call on his life from business to ministry, then eventually, to come to Israel from the Philippines. For the past eighth years, he and his wife sought to fulfill God’s call to serve until God calls him elsewhere. Pastor Mendez and his wife closed off the story of their mission experience in Israel with a song of hope in Hebrew (we didn’t get the name).
Off we were to the sites for the day! This was another exciting and adventurous day as we left the Holy City (Jerusalem) and drove east and then south along the western edge of the Dead Sea. We were heading toward Qumran where the Dead Sea scrolls were discovered by the Bedwins (a nomadic group who live in tents in the desert) in 1947. We passed Bethany where Lazarus’s tomb is located (John 11). We could not enter due to the Palestinian occupation of that area (West Bank). As we drove, the tour guide reminded us of the importance of the Oslo agreement, which was the beginning toward easing the tension of the two sides and creating some dialogue and resolution to managing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and dispute over territorial claims. The dispute is over the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) to establish a state for themselves, but they refuse to recognize Israel as a Jewish state. When Israel was finally established as a nation on May 15, 1948, it was a dream that came true. It was the desire of Jews to return to their Biblical homeland so that it would be the shelter for them from around the world. Today, sadly, Israel continues to be in a state of conflict with its Arab brothers.
As we traveled on the road of Eli toward the Dead Sea, we saw the beautiful orchards of date trees. In this arid, desert type environment, date trees flourish. Dates are known to be the “chocolate of the desert” and it is rich in nutrients and a good source of energy. Also, indigenous to this area is the famed camel, which is the ideal method of transportation there. It is the only animal that has the ability to change its body temperature to suit the external weather conditions and is well able to survive the harsh elements of the desert and its heat.
At Qumran, we visited the museum and saw a shot film on the discovery of the Dead Sea scrolls and of the group who hid the scrolls initially. The Essences were a sect of Jewish religious order during the time of Christ and beyond, who lived in secluded areas, like Qumran, in monastery-like manner. Thiers was the study of the Messiah and to look for him. They were credited with adhering to strict diet and devotion to God. Some say that John, the Baptist may have been part of this group, but for a short while. They were, also, credited with hiding parchments of scripture within jars at Qumran when the Roman Empire was seizing control of Jerusalem in 68 AD. Their hope was to preserve the scriptures they had so as not to be destroyed.
From that history lesson, we then went up the mount area on a cable car and saw one of King Herod’s palace remains known as Masada, a place safely sheltered and protected from intruders due to its high altitude and fortified location. When Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD, this was one of the last strongholds to fall, and the Zealots, as they were known, fought to resist the Roman invasion. Instead of surrendering, they chose freedom by death. Out of the ashes of this bloody violence, Josephus Flavius, a Jew fighting for Israel’s freedom, but captured by the Roman army, became a Roman historian who recorded the historical events of that time. From this elevation you could see a picturesque view of the Dead Sea.
On the road north we were, to the final stop of the day: the Dead Sea. However, on our way there we came to a place called En Gedi where King Saul and his men tried, but failed to take David captive, and where David cut off a piece of Saul’s garment (1 Samuel 24). We then made our way, finally, towards the Dead Sea. This is a place known to be the “skin healing center of the world” and the “lowest point on the earth”. It is a place where many people with skin disorders come for treatment and experience remarkable success. The tour guide informed us that the salt in this water is 13 times more salty than all other salt water oceans! We took our sea salt bath and came up with “new skin”.
On the way back to the Holy City, we viewed Mt. Nebo to the east of the Dead Sea in Jordan, where Moses’ body was buried (Deuteronomy 34:1, 5). What a beautiful site! Unfortunately, we were not able to get close to that mount; it wasn’t part of the tour we were on. However, it gave us a brief view of where it all happened in the final days of Moses’ life. Interestingly enough, Moses was the name of our tour guide.
God bless you as you read this blog post. May you be even more strengthened in your faith in God.
