Sooo this wasn't my favorite field trip, but that was only because about mid-day I got very very sick. Like flu sick. It was not an enjoyable experience, but I tried to make the most out of it. Most importantly, I got to sit in the really cool passenger seat in the front of the bus on the way home.
EN GEDI
Historically, this place is significant because it is where David came when he was trying to hid from Saul, who was trying to kill him. Chadwick then taught us about how this landscape is exactly what Lehi would've been talking about when he was teaching his sons in 1 Nephi 2. They had just come to the Red Sea but he named the river Laman and it emptied into the Red Sea and there was a valley on the borders of the mouth of the river. And he says to Laman, "that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness." And he spoke to Lemuel and said, "that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!" During the rainy season, there can be flash floods in this area and it can completely destroy everything. As we hiked up there was an iron rod of sorts. We have to be steadfast and hold on to that rod so that when the floods and temptations of life come, we are prepared and can remain righteous. It was a fascinating lesson because it was helping us to apply the scriptures with a visual, imagery we'll never forget from the land where the scriptures come from.
For fear of the Romans destroying them, they hid these writings in caves surrounding the area around AD 68. In 1947, a Bedouin threw a rock down this cave and heard something crack. He discovered the first jars and manuscripts. The scrolls contain copies of the books of the Hebrew Bible (like Isaiah) and writings about the Qumran community such as their beliefs and practices.
EN GEDI
Historically, this place is significant because it is where David came when he was trying to hid from Saul, who was trying to kill him. Chadwick then taught us about how this landscape is exactly what Lehi would've been talking about when he was teaching his sons in 1 Nephi 2. They had just come to the Red Sea but he named the river Laman and it emptied into the Red Sea and there was a valley on the borders of the mouth of the river. And he says to Laman, "that thou mightest be like unto this river, continually running into the fountain of all righteousness." And he spoke to Lemuel and said, "that thou mightest be like unto this valley, firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord!" During the rainy season, there can be flash floods in this area and it can completely destroy everything. As we hiked up there was an iron rod of sorts. We have to be steadfast and hold on to that rod so that when the floods and temptations of life come, we are prepared and can remain righteous. It was a fascinating lesson because it was helping us to apply the scriptures with a visual, imagery we'll never forget from the land where the scriptures come from.
We then hiked up to a nice little waterfall (not this one) and then made our way to...
QUMRAN
This is the place where they found the Dead Sea Scrolls. There was an Essene group there who basically practiced monasticism. They lived in purification, participated in communal meals, and copied sacred writings.
This is the scriptorium where they would have copied the writings. What a sacred room!
MASADA
This place is significant because 1) it was built by Herod the Great 2) it played a role in the First Jewish Revolt. Weird but fascinating story is that when the Romans came to destroy Masada they found all the Jews there dead. The Sicarii group that lived there killed their families and then each other, casting lots to determine who would kill who. When Masada was being excavated, they found some of these lots that had the people's names on them.
This is what it would've originally looked like
There was a tram that went all the way to the top. But you can kind of see on the right side, the switchback trail. We got to choose if we wanted to take the tram back down or if we wanted to go. Before I wasn't feeling too well I thought it would be fun to walk down with all my friends. Ya know, be more adventurous. That was a mistake.
I love all these frescoes! I think it's so amazing that the paint has still lasted after all these years because it really allows you to see what it was like back in the day.
Us on the tram!
From the top of the trail down...
It was beautiful! Kind of dusty, but with a view of the Dead Sea and a nice breeze,
it was a great little hike.
This is the siege ramp that the Romans built
DEAD SEA
So the Dead Sea is almost 1400 feet below sea level which means it's the lowest spot ON EARTH. The salinity level is 33%. The ocean is only about 3.5%. That's a lot of salt. Which means you can float! None of our teachers really explained it to us before because they said it's just something you had to experience.
You literally just turn around, squat a little, lean back, and then your legs just pop right up! It's so bizarre. And then you're just effortlessly floating. We made a train and just floated around!
It wasn't all fun and games though. They had warned us not to shave the morning of because of all the minerals, it burns!! You also have to make sure not to put your face in it. So overall, super glad we did it but it's definitely just like a one time thing haha!
And then you had to rinse of reeeeaaallllyyy well because you can't let the salt dry on you or it can get really uncomfortable. But that water was freezing! So we made it a quick, but effective shower.
It was quite the full day!
Be First to Post Comment !
Post a Comment