The Negev Desert:Timna Nat'l Park

Last April, after visiting Petra on a Saturday, I drove north from Eilat to Jerusalem on Sunday. Taking my time to enjoy places that I have not seen, my first stop was just a few miles north of Eilat in the Negev Desert at an Israeli National Park called Timna. Because of some beautiful red rock mountains, Timna is nicknamed "Israel's Petra". Nowhere near the hundreds of tourists that visit Petra, but Timna was a very quiet and wonderful place to visit. Below is one of the main attractions in Timna called Solomon's Pillars.

Solomon's Pillars are just as red as the rocks in Petra.

Timna is more of drive-thru park with various locations where you can stop to take photos or go on a short hike.

At one end of Timna is a scale model of the Tabernacle that God instructed Moses to build in the wilderness. Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying: "Speak to the children of Israel, that they bring Me an offering. From everyone who gives it willingly with his heart you shall take My offering. And this is the offering which you shall take from them: gold, silver, and bronze; blue, purple, and scarlet thread, fine linen, and goats’ hair; ram skins dyed red, badger skins, and acacia wood; oil for the light, and spices for the anointing oil and for the sweet incense; onyx stones, and stones to be set in the ephod and in the breastplate. And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show you, that is, the pattern of the tabernacle and the pattern of all its furnishings, just so you shall make it. Exodus 25:1-9.

Inside the Tabernacle were replicas including the Table of Showbread. "You shall also make a table of acacia wood; two cubits shall be its length, a cubit its width, and a cubit and a half its height. And you shall overlay it with pure gold, and make a molding of gold all around ... And you shall make the poles of acacia wood, and overlay them with gold, that the table may be carried with them ... And you shall set the showbread on the table before Me always. Exodus 25:23-30. When the Tabernacle moved, a blue table cloth was used to cover it during the journey. "On the table of showbread they shall spread a blue cloth ... and the showbread shall be on it. Numbers 4:7.

Standing in front of the Holy of Holies was one of Aaron's ancestors, the High Priest., complete with breastplate. "Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest ... they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest. And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. So they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to Me as priest. Exodus 28:1-4. The breastplate consisted of 12 colored stones, one each for each of Jacob's sons, the twelve tribes of Israel. "You shall make the breastplate of judgment... And you shall put settings of stones in it, four rows of stones: ... And the stones shall have the names of the sons of Israel, twelve according to their names, like the engravings of a signet, each one with its own name; they shall be according to the twelve tribes. Exodus 28:15-21.

The Bronze Altar where the sacrifices took place. He made the altar of burnt offering of acacia wood; five cubits was its length and five cubits its width—it was square—and its height was three cubits. He made its horns on its four corners; the horns were of one piece with it. And he overlaid it with bronze. Exodus 38:1-2.

Before visiting the Tabernacle I went for a short hike in some sandstone rocks. Here was the pathway up that I chose to follow.

I hiked to a isolated place that was ideal for some quiet time with the Lord Jesus. It reminded me of Elijah running to the desert from Jezebel where he heard the "still, small voice of God". Then He said, "Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD." And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" 1st King 19:11-13.

Here was my pathway back down from my short "retreat".

Below, this unique sandstone rock formation had a hole in it.

Red rock formation with the sandstone mountain in the background.

In the Bible, a woman named Timna was the mother of the Amalekites. Now Timna was the concubine of Eliphaz, Esau’s son, and she bore Amalek to Eliphaz. Genesis 36:12.

The Amaleites were in the land of Canaan when Moses sent in the twelve spies. The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; ... " Numbers 13:29

The southern landscape of Israel, the Negev, has been one of the most enjoyable surprises to me. Prior to this time in Israel, I had not been further south than Beersheba.

Solomon's Pillars from a distance.

Up close.

Natural canyons.

If you zoom in on the photo below, you will see "little, tiny people" having a picnic lunch. This gives you an idea of the size of Solomon's Pillars.

After leaving Timna, I proceeded on to The Ramon Crater which was last week's posting. What a privilege it is to be in His Land. Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Psalm 37:3.

The Negev Desert:The Ramon Crater

Two months ago, on Sunday, April 27th, I drove north from Eilat to Jerusalem thru the Negev Desert. This was the day after going to Petra in Jordan. The Negev Desert is loaded with beautiful scenery. One of the more unique locations is called the Ramon Crater. It is known as the largest crater in the world. As you drive south thru the small town of Mitzpe Ramon, once you turn the corner leaving the city, you enter the crater. It would be similar to driving into the Grand Canyon. Below is the overlook just outside Mitzpe Ramon.

Two days earlier when Stefan, Marcus, and I were headed to Eilat, Israelis were repelling down this cliff. It was a little hazy on Friday, April 25th, but today was very clear and extremely windy. The wind was probably the reason for no repelling on this day.

This is the eastern border region of the Negev. The majority of the Negev desert was given back to Egypt in the 1978 Peace Treaty. The traditional Mt. Sinai, where Moses received the Torah including the Ten Commandments, is currently located in Eqypt. Then the LORD came down upon Mount Sinai, on the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. Exodus 19:20.

However, even the western portion of the Negev is divinely appointed to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. On the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying: "To your descendants I have given this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the River Euphrates... Genesis 15:18.

Later, Almighty God makes it clear that His covenant will be through Isaac. Then God said: "No, Sarah your shall bear you a son, and you shall call his name Isaac; I will establish My covenant with him for an everlasting covenant, and with his wife descendants after him. Genesis 17:19.

Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob all spent much of their lives in the desert a little north of here in Beersheva. "Sheva" is Hebrew for seven. Then Abimelech asked Abraham, "What is the meaning of these seven ewe lambs which you have set by themselves?" And he said, "You will take these seven ewe lambs from my hand, that they may be my witness that I have dug this well." Therefore he called that place Beersheba, because the two of them swore an oath there. Thus they made a covenant at Beersheba. Genesis 21:29-32.

In the middle of the crater is a road for 4-wheel drive vehicles only. There are moonlight desert tours which I would like to do sometime.

For the LORD’S portion is His people; Jacob is the place of His inheritance. "He found him in a desert land And in the wasteland, a howling wilderness; He encircled him, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye. Deuteronomy 32:9-10.

From the middle of the crater, the city of Mitzpe Ramon is at the top of the mountain where the slope begins. Several twists and turns, but it was a good highway.

In the center of the crater, I pulled off the road for a few photos.

These rocks show the color of the desert. They were formed like a "fence" to make a parking lot big enough for a few buses. On this day, nobody was there but me.

Hosea 2:9 refers to God, in the latter days, bringing Israel to the desert or wilderness. There is plenty of room. "Therefore, behold, I will allure her (Israel), Will bring her into the wilderness, And speak comfort to her. Hosea 2:9.
Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert. Isaiah 43:19.

In the middle of the crater.

Mitzpe Ramon is an attractive little city in the middle of the desert. Perhaps this is what King Solomon was thinking about when he wrote one of the Proverbs. Better to dwell in the wilderness, Than with a contentious and angry woman. Proverbs 21:19.

Flags in Mitzpe Ramon show how windy it was that day. Jeremiah referred to the wind in the wilderness when describing how God was going to scatter His people. "Therefore I will scatter them like stubble That passes away by the wind of the wilderness. Jeremiah 13:24.

The road down into the Ramon Crater from Mitzpe Ramon.

Road sign in Beersheva providing directions.

Driving through the Negev you frequently pass signs like these. The Israeli Air Force uses the Negev for target practice. It is pretty isolated and a good choice for the IAF.

This photo contrasts historical and current Israel. In the foreground is a very large Bedouin village living in the desert. In the background, modern day Beersheva. For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody. Isaiah 51:3

At an intersection in Beersheva, the 60th Anniversary Flags of Israel line the streets.

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, And the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; Isaiah 35:1.

Holocaust Rememberance Day; Other Photos

Thursday, May 1st, was Yom HaShoah (Day of the Holocaust) in Israel. In English, we would say Holocaust Rememberance Day. Since Israel became a modern day nation again in 1948, they have officially observed a day to remember the 6 million Jews killed during the Holocaust. When the sirens sound you stop whereever you are and stand still for 2 minutes. If you are in a car, then you stop and stand outside. Several of us from CFI went down to Zion Square because we knew the sirens were going to sound at 10:00am. From the photo below, the taxi driver standing at attention sure looks like someone who has served in the IDF and fought for his country.

Pedestrians, including a "modern day prophet with Jerusalem syndrome" standing still on the sidewalk of Jaffa Street. Moses, in his last word to the Israelites before they came into the Promised Land had some very harsh warnings for the Jews in the "last days". For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you. And evil will befall you in the latter days, because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands." Deuteronomy 31:29.

After two minutes, traffic resumed as normal. In May, I saw that China followed this practice of "standing still" during their horrific earthquakes and floods. Israel has been doing it for decades. Moses warning of disobedience to the Lord sometimes points to terrible times like the Holocaust. "Then the LORD will scatter you among all peoples ... Your life shall hang in doubt before you; you shall fear day and night, and have no assurance of life. In the morning you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were evening!’ And at evening you shall say, ‘Oh, that it were morning!’ because of the fear which terrifies your heart, and because of the sight which your eyes see. Deuteronomy 28:64-67.

These beautiful orange roses are at CFI just after we returned. Behind the roses, the Israeli flag is at half staff. There was no wind that day.

In the photo below, the balcony with the geraniums is mine. That is my 60th Anniversay Flag hanging down. My living room window is just to the right. One week after Holocaust Rememberance Day is Israel's Independence Day according to the Hebrew calendar. The day before Independence Day is Memorial Day for Israel's fallen soldiers. The identical two minutes of silence are observed. On this Memorial Day, I had a rental car to pick up my friends Merlin and Margaret at the airport. When the siren sounded, I was driving near the Russian Compound. So I stopped the car and stood outside of it. Too bad I did not have my camera. Observing Memorial Day on July 3rd in the US would be the same scenario as it is in Israel. One day of sorrow and rememberance followed the next day by joyous celebrations and fireworks.

On Mount Scopus in Jerusalem is a very well kept British cemetery from World War I. It was the British and the ANZACS (Australia - New Zealand Army Corps) that defeated the Ottoman Turks in WWI, liberated Jerusalem and the land called Palestine. That began the British mandate of Palestine which lasted until May, 1948 when Israel became a nation (again).
Entrance to the cemetery. Kay and I lived on Mount Scopus in 1998 and we used to take Shabbat walks through here. Today it was closed.

The markers reflect all the special units that served, ie "Camel Corps"; "Australian Light Horse", etc. The "charge" of the Australian Light Horse at Beersheba changed the outcome of the battle. After taking Beersheba, then the British were able to take Gaza. The Ottoman Turks then retreated from Jerusalem which allowed General Allenby and the British to "walk in". I have always liked how the Lord used the bravery of the horse to liberate Jerusalem. It was one of the last calvary charges against cannon and machine guns. The horse is prepared for the day of battle, But deliverance is of the LORD. Proverbs 21:31.

Australia's monument.

The Mount of Olives as seen from Mount Scopus. The Lord Jesus will return there. And in that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, Which faces Jerusalem on the east. And the Mount of Olives shall be split in two, From east to west, Making a very large valley; Half of the mountain shall move toward the north And half of it toward the south. Zechariah 14:4.

The photo below is taken from Mt. Scopus looking south towards the Old City of Jerusalem. Yet I have chosen Jerusalem, that My name may be there, and I have chosen David to be over My people Israel.’ II Chronicles 6:6.

An Arab shepherd and his sheep on the eastern slope of The Mount of Olives. The Lord Jesus is our Shepherd who laid down His life for us. "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep. John 10:11.

The photo below is from the north side of the Mount of Olives looking due east. If you zoom in, in the middle you can see the Dead Sea approximately 12 miles away. Jerusalem is in the mountains and the Dead Sea is the lowest elevation on earth, 1300 feet below sea level. When the Lord Jesus reigns in His Temple, the Living Water will flow to the Dead Sea making it totally fresh water. There are no fish now in The Dead Sea but just wait until He reigns. Then he said to me: "This water flows toward the eastern region, goes down into the valley, and enters the sea. When it reaches the sea, its waters are healed. And it shall be that every living thing that moves, wherever the rivers go, will live. There will be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters go there; for they will be healed, and everything will live wherever the river goes. Ezekiel 47:8-9.

These flowers on a side street in The German Colony where I live. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come, And the voice of the turtledove Is heard in our land. Song of Songs 2:12.

Along the same street.

Just a close of the light blue flowers.

I may have posted the statue below before but this was a good photo. The statue is at Yad HaShomah as you leave the Judean Hills west of Jerusalem. The verse that inspired the statue is Joel 2:12-13. "Now, therefore," says the LORD, "Turn to Me with all your heart, With fasting, with weeping, and with mourning." So rend your heart, and not your garments; Return to the LORD your God, For He is gracious and merciful,
Slow to anger, and of great kindness; And He relents from doing harm.

Joel 2:12.