Israel Day 7

For the couple of people who are still interested in hearing about our amazing journey to Israel, I am close to finishing my trip recaps so hang in there.

The previous day we had arrived in the Judean Wilderness, and stayed the night in a Kabbutz (basically a commune of people living together). We awoke on January 5th and headed to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found, which is also where the Essene's lived (an ancient Jewish sect).

Below is the cave where the scrolls were found.

Next stop was the Dead Sea. I did not swim in it- but thats because it was a cold day, and we still had lots of other places to go that day and I didnt want to be sticky and salty the whole day. Dillon however couldnt resist a float.

Lunch was in Jericho, the oldest city in the world.

 

 We heard the call to prayer over the city that afternoon for the first time on our trip.

From Jericho we drove south towards the holy city of Jerusalem. The anticipation built as the sun set, and our leader read The Assesnsion into Jerusalem Psalm 122:

I rejoiced with those who said to me,
   “Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
² Our feet are standing
   in your gates, Jerusalem.

 ³ Jerusalem is built like a city
   that is closely compacted together.
⁴ That is where the tribes go up—
   the tribes of the LORD—
to praise the name of the LORD
   according to the statute given to Israel.
⁵ There stand the thrones for judgment,
   the thrones of the house of David.

 ⁶ Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:
   “May those who love you be secure.
⁷ May there be peace within your walls
   and security within your citadels.”
⁸ For the sake of my family and friends,
   I will say, “Peace be within you.”
⁹ For the sake of the house of the LORD our God,
   I will seek your prosperity. 

It was amazing to arrive in such a rich city... this is where Jesus' earthly ministry ended and so for me, there was certainly a heaviness here as well that I felt.

My absolute favorite part of the trip also culminated here, when we were able to reunite with Katie! We headed to our hotel, where Katie had already arrived earlier in the day. After lots of catch up time, and exchaning gifts, we decided to walk around the old city after dinner. Katie had been to Jerusalem a couple of years ago and remembered it enough to navigate us through the old walls. We went straight to the Western Wall that night and watched as men and women followed after the tradition of their ancestors by touching the ruins of the temple, their only connection to God. We talked about how thankful we are that as believers we know that we are not bound by the law.  Our God is good!