Next Steps - Day Six - Tragic Rebellion, Ancient Writings, Salty Water, and an Evening Prayer

Today, we departed our hotel to drive to Masada where we learned about and experience both the beauty and the tragedy of that UNESCO World Heritage site. The views from the top were incredible, and the story is one human tragedy stacked upon another? If you are unfamiliar with the story, here is a link to information found on the UNESCO website.

Model of Masada

Roman Bath at Masada - part of the amazing complex designed by Herod.

The diamond shape is the remnants of the largest of eight Roman soldier camps built during the siege. 

Hot room in the Roman bath. Notice the original pipes from the 1st century BCE.

After our time in Masada, we departed for Qumran where a secretive and separatist sect of Judaism, the Essenes, dwelt and practiced their faith until the time of the destruction of the temple and the siege at Masada. This community was responsible for preserving what has become one of the most important archeological finds of the last century, The Dead Sea Scrolls.  Tens of thousands of scrolls were discovered that revealed the life of the Essene community, but more importantly, confirmed the accuracy of much of the Hebrew Scriptures (commonly called the Old Testament).

Scriptorium, where the Essenes copied sacred texts. 

Twice a day, the Essenes participated in ritual bathing.

Thousands of scrolls were discovered in this cave alone. 

After lunch it was time for a dip in the Dead Sea. No danger of sinking. Everyone floats!

This sleepy camel perfectly captures the way we feel tonight! It was an early trip to bed for all of us.

Thank you for your prayers! They are buoying us along the way. We have another incredibly full challenging day ahead of us tomorrow.

Our evening ended with this magnificent prayer offered by one of our college student participants:

Mother, Father, God, first, thank you for this wonderful opportunity to travel and see new things. Thank you for bringing us together so we may see your work, and your history. In the coming days, we pray for energy, open-mindedness, understanding, and empathy. Although we know as humans it is easier to ignore the humanity of our fellow brothers and sisters, help us to realize that hope starts with us. Help us to remain open to others’ stories and be cognizant of our privilege along with others hardships. Use us, Lord, and let us be a light in a land ravaged by conflict. Let us be the hope the professor spoke us to be in these hopeless spaces. We pray for refreshing sleep to wake tomorrow to do your work. In Jesus name we pray, Amen.