Surviving Masada.

July 6

Well, we got up bright and early at 5am and then I climbed to my death. I can’t even imagine what that would have been like if we had went later in the day! I seriously felt like a fat old woman. Heather, Gabby and I were all in the back with poor Chris who had to make sure we didn’t die. I think Kaytra saved my life by giving me an electrolyte packet to put in my water! Not only did I hike up a mountain, but I walked up 700 stairs. Take that JBU’s 100 stairs!! I seriously have never put so much physical exertion on my body. It was terrible. But it was great. It was really hilarious actually because when we got to the top, there was like two more staircases and I was tearing up while climbing them and when Heather and I finally got to the top we started crying and laughing at the same time because we were so happy. It was great.

After being delirious for a few moments and refilling my water bottle, we calmed down and were able to start our tour at the top. (Rachael and Tito met us at the top… they got to take the cable car up!) The tour was awesome of course, as we got to learn all about Masada. We got to scream things in this one spot and there was an awesome echo! We got to see a giant cistern that they kept the water in and all kinds of things that you will see pictures of on my facebook page! Tito also talked to us about a lot of the history that went on at Masada. The one story that really stuck out to me though, was when the Romans were going to kill everyone there, they realized it would be better for them to kill their own families than to let them be tortured under the hands of the Romans. The Romans sought for three years to get to the top, they built a ramp up one side. After reaching the top of Masada, they found that all but 5 had taken their own lives rather than becoming slaves to them. It’s just crazy to think that they had to kill their own families and then themselves as the only way to escape a more torturous death.

By the way, I also thought it was cool that he mentioned, even though Israel lost all those wars, Israel has been victorious because it’s still here and all of those nations are gone!! 

We also talked about how we tend to make fortresses in our own hearts but we have to remember that our own fortresses don’t protect us. The only fortress that will protect us is God’s. God is our fortress and our refuge. We must run to the Lord. Sometimes we just want to blockade our hearts from everyone, including God. But in the end, that is not what is going to protect us. Only the One who is our Refuge will be able to truly protect us from anything that comes our way.

After we got our tour we were able to take the cable car back down (thank goodness!). We got to shop and I ended up buying a ring… which was a little bit out of my price range… but it’s what I really wanted. And I won’t buy anything else for myself! But it’s really pretty with real silver and gold and it has the Hebrew inscription, “I am my beloved’s and my beloved is mine.”

Now, I know this is from the Song of Solomon and between a man and a woman. And I don’t think that whole book is an analogy between man and God. I do believe it was written to be about men and women. So, when I wear this ring, it is representing my dedication towards my future husband. But also, one of the reasons I love it so much is actually because of a Tenth Avenue North song called “Beloved.” It’s a song that is from God’s point of view. It says, Love of my life, look deep in my eyes. There you will find what you need. Give me your life, lust and the lies, the past you’re afraid I might see. You’ve been running away from me. You’re my beloved, lover I’m yours. Death shall not part us, it’s you I died for. For better or worse, forever we’ll be, our Love unites us, it binds you to me. It’s a mystery. Love of my life, look deep in my eyes. There you will find what you need. I’m the Giver of Life, I’ll clothe you in whine, my immaculate bride you will be. Oh, come running home to me. Well you’ve been a mistress, my wife, chasing lovers it won’t satisfy, won’t you let me make you my bride, you will drink of my lips and you’ll taste new life. Cause you’re my beloved, lover I’m yours. Death shall not part us, it’s you I died for. For better or worse, forever we’ll be. Our love unites us and it binds you to me. It’s a mystery.

It’s really a beautiful song and a beautiful verse so I love my ring!

Also, if I remember correctly, my dad’s wedding band has this inscription on it, and one of the things on my bucket list, if I ever get married, I aspire for my marriage to be like my parents. I admire their love, dedication and commitment to each other and I love the way they work together in everything. They are a team and I can go on and on about how much I admire them. Anyway, this ring reminds me of what a wonderful marriage my parents have and it’s a reminder to me to aspire for a marriage one day that is as wonderful as theirs.

After surviving Masada, we went to En Gedi springs for a nice treat. Swimming in nice cold water!! It was a bit of a hike to get up there and I was stylin’ in my hiking boots, bathing suit and towel wrapped around my waist. But it was so worth it when we got there! It was absolutely wonderful. We had a lot of fun under the water falls and Bruce throwing moss at everyone…

En Gedi is also a really interesting place because this was where David fled from Saul. It was also where David cut Saul’s robe and did not kill him because he knew that even though Saul had wandered from God, he was still the king that God had anointed. David is another perfect example of what we’ve been learning about and about letting God being his fortress.  

In 2 Chronicles 20 it Jehoshaphat says, “LORD, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.” He’s got the right idea.

From En Gedi, we all napped on the bus until we got to Jerusalem!!! I can’t believe we’re really here!! We stopped at Mt. Sculpus so we could get a view of it before entering in and then we went to our hotel where we’ll be for the rest of the time. Tonight started Shabbott so we all walked to the Western Wall. Talk about culture shock!! This city is crazy! There were Orthodox men RUNNING to get the Western Wall. It was a really neat experience, but it was actually really hard. I mean, all of these people were praying to a wall… hoping that God’s presence was there when really, their prayers weren’t even being heard. They were praying so fervently, but yet, they were so empty. There were so many people there dancing and singing, but there was still some kind of chaos… and sadness in the atmosphere. It literally broke my heart. We all went to the wall and we got a chance to put our hands on it and pray. Pray for these people and for the peace of Jerusalem. 

Anyway, we didn’t have devotions because it was a really long day, so Heather, Gabby, Rachael and I all watched “Get Smart” to just relax and laugh with each other before going to bed. All in all, it was a long but very good day!